Barking Riverside Extension

[waysider]

Personally my heart sunk when I saw this scheme given approval. If the ĎLR had been extended through the area earmarked for regeneration, lots more of the new housing would have found a station on their doorstep.
Instead it will have one station that for much of the area will still be too far to be of use without a car or bus journey.... and even after that, I can see the majority of passengers changing at Barking and in my experience, one stop journeys are just 'irritating'

[Ben]

Yes it was quite a shame. IIRC capacity was cited as the main reason, but I should have thought that the frequency the DLR could have potentially managed on its extension would trump anything the Overground could aspire to given a shared and mixed use railway. Its further frustrating that the DLR route wont be reserved for any future possible need. With the general run-down of Londons' bus network over the past few years, and the savage cuts now affecting it, you have to wonder what future PTAL scores will be in the area.

The one main benefit of Overground against the DLR is the ability to extend, cross river, to the south, and Thamesmead, and Abbey Wood.

[waysider]

Ive been looking at dotted lines on maps showing crossings to thamesmad since i was at school.
A high bridge will obstruct planes landing at city airport, a low bridge will block ships going to tate and lyle and a tunnel is too expensive (apparently).

Spot on regarding local buses too ...being abandoned by everyone as bus lanes are handed over to cyclists

[croxleyn]

I'm not familiar with the track layout at Barking, but what would the viability be of running a District or H&C line spur to Riverside over the new tracks? It would likely mess up the S stock requirements (use the spare Croxley train?), but would probably be far more popular than the Gospel Oak line. The latter would not need to be so frequent to Riverside...

[crusty54]

Sept 8, 2017 20:08:16 GMT croxleyn said:

I'm not familiar with the track layout at Barking, but what would the viability be of running a District or H&C line spur to Riverside over the new tracks? It would likely mess up the S stock requirements (use the spare Croxley train?), but would probably be far more popular than the Gospel Oak line. The latter would not need to be so frequent to Riverside...

Slight problem - the extension is being built with the power coming from overhead lines.

[Chris M]

I don't think it would be very practical to be honest.
Firstly there would need to be two new junctions added west of the station to allow the Underground to access the lines through platforms 7 and 8 - this would be expensive (making the connection east of the station would be very signficantly more difficult, if even possible). See carto.metro.free.fr/cartes/metro-tram-london/index.php?station=barking

Then the lines would need to be dual electrified with the Undergound's third and fourth rail 630 or 750v DC and National Rail's 25kv AC OHE - a combination I'm not aware exists anywhere at present. This would be very, very expensive.

[croxleyn]

Thanks for the fascinating link - would have never thought of a French website... I had wondered about the realities of a multi-voltage traction power supply.

[Ben]

Chris - I suspect a segregated return rail for DC would be simpler to deal with than a combined return rail for DC and AC? It would probably be easier, and perhaps necessary, to segregate the H&C tracks. Though that would be problematic itself.

[norbitonflyer]

Sept 8, 2017 20:30:44 GMT Chris M said:

Then the lines would need to be dual electrified with the Undergound's third and fourth rail 630 or 750v DC and National Rail's 25kv AC OHE - a combination I'm not aware exists anywhere at present.

Certainly has done in the past though - Euston had both systems until the Wat-Eus dc lines were converted from 4th to 3rd rail. I doubt it would be any harder than 3rd rail + ac ohle.

[piccboy]

I would tunnel it. The eastbound tunnel would start where the existing inlet road to the sidings is and the westbound tunnel would join where the existing underpass is, with all points hi-speed ones to minimise delays. Finally I would not make it District, but make it Hammersmith and City line to minimise the delays currently experienced when their trains go in and out of the sidings.

[regp41]

That might be difficult piccboy, the Channel Tunnel link to St Pancras goes virtually under the station.

[Dom K]

Mod Comment: We are heading very close to being off topic and into RIPAS territory. Please be mindful of what you post and maybe create another thread for potential tunnelling projects etc. Thanks

[Chris M]

New thread started on the fantasy RIPAS board: districtdavesforum.co.uk/thread/28641/district-barking-riverside

[londoner]

Main question
Andrew Boff

In which zone will the new Overground station at Barking Riverside be situated?

Answer
The Mayor

The existing Barking station is in Zone 4 and it is likely that the new station will also be in Zone 4.

However, a formal decision on the zoning of Barking Riverside will not be taken until nearer the station's opening date in 2021.

questions.london.gov.uk/QuestionSearch/searchclient/questions/question_295617

[snoggle]

Paper to next week's Programmes and Investment Cttee is seeking approval for extra class 710 EMUs. TfL want to order 9 more units to cover the extras needed for the Riverside Extension plus more to allow the ELL service to increase to 20 tph. There would be 3 extra 4-car units for GOBLIN and 6 5-car units for the ELL.

content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-20171013-agenda-item11.pdf

The order has to be placed by 26 Oct to ensure best price and leasing terms. The paper even talks about the trains being "spot hired" in the short term to other operators given they won't be needed immediately (assuming they turn up in 2019) or to use on a supplementary service on the WLL. Looks like TfL are bidding for extra funding to allow signalling and infrastructure improvements at Norwood Junction and elsewhere.

The preferred option in the paper involves some juggling of existing and new stock.

Do something - an option for nine additional trains would be exercised (six 5-car units and three 4-car units making 42 vehicles in total) to enable delivery of the ELL 20 tph and BRE services. One additional Class 315 train would be retained within the broader rolling stock fleet under this option to enable the provision of the planned service level. The steps required to deliver the enhanced services on the BRE and the ELL under this option are described below:

(i) the six additional 5-car units ordered would be used to deliver the NLL/WLL service, releasing six 5-car Class 378 units to deliver the enhanced service level of 20 tph on the ELL;

(ii) one of the additional 4-car units ordered would be used to deliver the Watford to Euston service. Another 4-car unit would be released for use on the same service by leasing an additional unit to run the Romford to Upminster service. A further two 5-car Class 378 units could then be released to deliver the enhanced service level of 20 tph on the ELL;

(iii) eight additional 5-car Class 378 units would therefore be released to the ELL, enabling the 20 tph service enhancement to be operated. This enhancement has to be run using Class 378 units due to the operational and safety constraints imposed by operation through the ELL Core; and

(iv)the remaining two additional 4-car units would be used to deliver the BRE service. The unit availability required under this option would be underpinned by the withdrawal of the additional peak service on the Gospel Oak to Barking route that is referred to above.

During the period prior to the introduction of the enhanced service on the ELL and the BRE the trains could be used on the WLL and potentially elsewhere on the network to help defray any sunk leasing or maintenance costs.

[norbitonflyer]

One additional Class 315 train would be retained within the broader rolling stock fleet under this option

(i) the six additional 5-car units ordered would be used to deliver the NLL/WLL service,
Another 4-car unit would be released by leasing an additional unit to run the Romford to Upminster service.

Interesting - it looks like this means mixed operation (378/ 710) on the NLL/WLL, unless they can be confined to the WLL Clapham Jct - Willesden Jct shuttles. It also it looks like Romster will get the 315. This could end up being the last PEP-type unit in the country, as the rest of them are all on the way out

313 - to be replaced by 717s on the GN, and a cascade on Southern?
314 - Scotrail cascade initiated by the new 385s
315 - Crossrail/ 710
455/7 (trailers) - SWR - to be displaced by new 701s
507, 508 - Merseyrail 777s on order

[snoggle]

TfL have published a paper seeking authority to place the main works contract for the Barking Riverside extension. The paper also provides an update on progress (or lack thereof) to date. Seems we're nearly a year behind in placing the main works contract - due Aug 2018 put planned for last autumn! Seems some work has been done at Ripple Lane over Easter to clear part of the site where the new ramp will be built. There is, however, a critical work package due Dec 2018 so steps are being taken to ensure this possession is not lost.

content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-20180516-item07-barking-riverside.pdf

[crusty54]

Surprise surprise. Network Rail costs are higher than anticipated.

Somebody needs to get a grip on the GRIP process.

[snoggle]

A further paper to next week's Programme and Investment Cttee. Costs from bidders from the main works have come in too high so more "scope reviews" and "value engineering" to try to contain cost risks. Bidders have been asked to re-submit revised prices with these due later this month.

1.1 The Barking Riverside Extension (BRE) to the London Overground network project was granted Project Authority of £263.2m in February 2016 by the Finance and Policy Committee (under delegated authority from the Board) and subsequently secured planning authority through a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) by the Secretary of State in August 2017.

1.2 In May 2018, a paper was presented to the Committee updating on progress and seeking Procurement Authority for the main works contract (MWC), the award of which had been slightly delayed due to some emerging design issues and the reduction in the number of bidders to two, following the demise of Carillion plc. The Committee approved the paper and granted the authority sought, based on the prevailing cost and programme knowledge at that time (shortly after the tender documentation was issued but before the returns were received).

1.3 Bids were returned on 29 July 2018, and it became clear that there were significant cost pressures to the scheme delivery, which could be impactful to the overall programme of works.

1.4 Since the receipt of the initial bids, there has been intensive scope and value engineering discussions both with key stakeholders and internal experts to find a way to contain cost and programme pressures. This has resulted in a fruitful outcome and the re-issue of an extensive repricing document on the 21 September 2018. Bidders have agreed to return documents by mid October 2018, in order to safeguard the 2021 completion date for the BRE.

Naturally enough all the juicy information is for the confidential part of the meeting so no published papers on this.   Some extra bits from the paper.

Preferred Option

4.1 The preferred option for the scheme has not changed. The scheme involves the construction of an electrified, twin tracked route between Renwick Road and Barking Riverside and the construction of a terminus station. The design of the alignment is significantly constrained by the geography of the site. The eastbound line, towards Barking Riverside, would spur directly from the Tilbury Loop passenger line, east of Barking Station. The westbound line (towards Barking) would merge with the westbound Tilbury Loop passenger line to the west of the Ripple Lane sidings.

4.2 Barking Riverside station will consist of a single, elevated, central island platform. The station will be served by four car electric trains, with passive provision for a future extension to five car trains. A concept design image of the new station can be seen below in Figure 2.

4.3 The station will be designed to accommodate passenger flows from the complete 10,800 home development. Two public consultations and a Public Inquiry have received good support from external stakeholders and no negative equality impacts are expected with the implementation of BRE. The station will increase the accessibility of London’s transport network by providing full step free access to enable free and unassisted movement between the train and street level.

4.4 There is expected to be only very limited impact on LO operations during the implementation of the project. However, the project team is in regular contact with HS1, Network Rail, C2C (train operator) and the freight operating companies, who are key stakeholders as owners and users of the Tilbury line. Critical to the success of the project is the acceptance and productive use of the Network Rail possessions, where the line is closed for TfL construction work.

----

4.7 TfL’s Surface Directorate is sponsoring the BRE project. It is being delivered through the Major Projects Directorate (MPD).

4.8 In November 2017, an early works contract was let, following a competitive process, to prepare the area north of the Barking Riverside site and adjacent to the operational railway. This included demolition of redundant Network Rail buildings and a discussed access ramp, which were completed ahead of schedule in April 2018.

4.9 The MWC is being procured competitively. There have been some changes to the initial procurement strategy including the removal of Carillion plc from the process following their entry into administration. There was an extension to the initial tender period due to design delays and a further four week extension to the tender submission date granted following a request from both remaining bidders. To mitigate the potential programme impacts, a small package of works will be let separately at Christmas 2018 for overhead line works that were previously part of the MWC.

4.10 The project still has a direct relationship with the Network Rail Gospel Oak to Barking electrification scheme where new trains are expected to be in operation shortly.

4.11 The key milestones associated with the MWC are shown below in Table 1:

Milestone	Target Date
Repricing Submission	October 2018
Main Works Contract Award Recommendation (PAM)	November 2018
Overhead Line Infrastructure Enabling Works	December 2018
First Possession of Network Rail Infrastructure	March 2019
Main Works Complete (PAM)	December 2021

[snoggle]

A rather interesting potential future development for an extra station on the Barking Riverside extension. See the Heidi Alexander letter on the tweet below. Looks like the proposed additional housing may have interesting implications for the bus network too.

[rincew1nd]

ianvisits is reporting that the construction contract has been awarded:

Click/tap here if embedded tweet fails to display.

[flippyff]

Dec 21, 2018 14:31:57 GMT rincew1nd said:

ianvisits is reporting that the construction contract has been awarded:

Click/tap here if embedded tweet fails to display.

ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:566070-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&

<snip>
Short description:
Rail for London (RfL) requires a contract to be put in place for the construction of the Barking Riverside Rail Extension and new terminus station.

<snip>
Description of the procurement:
The Contract will be for the construction of an elevated extension to an existing railway line and a new terminus station at Barking Riverside, including modification of existing Network Rail operational railway infrastructure

<snip>

Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number in the OJ S: 2016/S 134-242174

<snip>

Contract No: BREP-005
A contract/lot is awarded: yes

V.2)
Award of contract

V.2.1)
Date of conclusion of the contract:
19/12/2018

V.2.2)

Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: yes

V.2.3)

Name and address of the contractor

Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd (JV)
04273754
Kent House, 14-17 Market Place
London
W1W 8AJ
United Kingdom
NUTS code: UKI

The contractor is an SME: no

V.2.3)

Name and address of the contractor

Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd (JV)
02387700
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Herts
EN11 9BX
United Kingdom
NUTS code: UKI

The contractor is an SME: no

V.2.4)

Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT) (Agree to publish? yes)
Total value of the contract/lot: 196 375 286.00 GBP

HTIOI

Simon

[regp41]

Ian Visits reports - Major disruption to c2c trains this July-August

“Due to works on the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside, services on the c2c railway lines in the area are going to be hit with several weeks of serious disruption.
Work starts on Saturday 20 July and finishes on Sunday 4 August.
The engineering work will close the London-bound track between Purfleet and Barking.”

I wonder if the new trains will be ready when the extension opens?

Ray

[rincew1nd]

Construction is progressing:

[Chris L]

The City Corporation have announced an agreement has been reached for Smithfield Market to move to new premises at Barking Riverside.

Also moving will be Billingsgate from Canary Wharf and Spitalfields from Leyton.

The new premises are supposed to be ready in 2025.

[Chris L]

From ianvisits

The City of London has this evening received planning consent from Barking & Dagenham Council to relocate its three historic wholesale food markets (Smithfield, Billingsgate and New Spitalfields) to Dagenham Dock.

The Smithfield move would require an act of Parliament.

[AndrewS]

This article railuk.com/rail-projects/tfl-project-update-barking-riverside-extension/ mentions crossing the Ship & Shovel canal. Is that a thing, or just a typo? I can find a pub with that name, but no obvious waterway nearby.

[piccboy]

Mar 23, 2021 11:29:46 GMT AndrewS said:

This article railuk.com/rail-projects/tfl-project-update-barking-riverside-extension/ mentions crossing the Ship & Shovel canal. Is that a thing, or just a typo? I can find a pub with that name, but no obvious waterway nearby.

On page 23 of this report Biodiversity survey 2017 - Barking and Dagenham, it mentions "Table 9: SINC selection criteria - Gores Brook and Ship & Shovel Sewer" - possibility that canal was converted into a sewer? Or maybe a typo?

[peterc]

Mar 23, 2021 13:52:39 GMT piccboy said:

Mar 23, 2021 11:29:46 GMT AndrewS said:

This article railuk.com/rail-projects/tfl-project-update-barking-riverside-extension/ mentions crossing the Ship & Shovel canal. Is that a thing, or just a typo? I can find a pub with that name, but no obvious waterway nearby.

On page 23 of this report Biodiversity survey 2017 - Barking and Dagenham, it mentions "Table 9: SINC selection criteria - Gores Brook and Ship & Shovel Sewer" - possibility that canal was converted into a sewer? Or maybe a typo?

It is unusual but not unknown for "canal" to be used to describe artificial waterways that are not intended for navigation.

[ted672]

Mar 23, 2021 17:07:10 GMT peterc said:

Mar 23, 2021 13:52:39 GMT piccboy said:

On page 23 of this report Biodiversity survey 2017 - Barking and Dagenham, it mentions "Table 9: SINC selection criteria - Gores Brook and Ship & Shovel Sewer" - possibility that canal was converted into a sewer? Or maybe a typo?

It is unusual but not unknown for "canal" to be used to describe artificial waterways that are not intended for navigation.

There used to be several drains of considerable size along the length of Renwick Road.  Maybe it's these that are being referred to.  While looking at the NLS Georeferenced Maps, it wa apparent that the new extention would not be the first railway in the area as the old power station had a considerable network accessed from the west end of the LT & S Ripple yard.