Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Jack, I doubt that people will leave the area but it might possibly deter them from coming if they think this is likely to be a recurring problem.
With all those boulders stacked in front of the damaged wall I can not see how they will repair it unless they plan to backfill in some way with concrete.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Jan, I can only reiterate the views I have heard. But if my daily commute went from just over two hours a day to 3-4 hours a day with the added stress of connections I would certainly consider moving if there was no short term answer.
Jack of Hearts
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
My sons travel to Dartford every day some times travelling onwards to the Midlands ,Norfolk. ,Bath .and many other areas.do a days work than drive home to Dover .At least on a train you can use your laptop.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
If things are running reliably then train travel is the best form of transport, use of laptops, reading books and newspapers etc but also very expensive. People need to have a good paying job to afford an East Kent to London season ticket.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Wast speaking with someone yesterday evening who had spent their working life in the railway industry and he is convinced that the eventual closure of the Dover/Folkestone stretch saying that it will probably reopen in the Spring but the next serious occurrence after that will spell the end. Attitudes changed apparently when Network Rail took over the infrastructure from British Rail and they made closer scrutinisation of the costs of keeping it open.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
All any of you need to do is read my post on the sea news,about the above.And that was done at 0500hrs this morning.
Guest 1266- Registered: 8 May 2014
- Posts: 381
Reading the twitter posts from last nights meeting in Deal would suggest the same. They predict mid summer opening but eventual closure. Most of the country seem oblivious to the situation unlike Dawlish and I do wonder if local MP's have already quietly decided its fate.
Jack of Hearts
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Charlie made the obligatory comments demanding this that and the other during the Commons recess but has now moved on to other things. Not seen any comments from other local politicians from any party which suggests that they know what the end game is and don't want their names associated with it.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Not much Charlie can do it is all down to Network Rail regardless what he or any other local big wig says.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
I have just copied this from Dover Marina .com...........
Comings And Goings.
A busy afternoon at the Cruise Terminal with the departure of Henriette and directly after her departure, the arrival of Liamare. Henriette is now on her way back to Norway and will be returning on Saturday (see you lot at the weekend, any shopping?!). I wish you a safe passage. Both vessels are currently set to make two calls each to our port bringing in significant quantities of rock armour for the ongoing rail works at Shakespeare Beach.
I spent a very pleasant afternoon with David Brooker, the Plant Assessor & Supervisor for the nationwide hire and haulage company, Lynch, together with Simon from civil engineering company, Costain, the principal contractors to Network Rail.
Good to meet you gentlemen!
So as you enjoy the images from my latest update, here are some facts to consider:
The footbridge WILL be replaced.
There are many months of work ahead.
Currently, there is over £5.5 million worth of specialist plant on site.
Somewhere in the region of 18,000 tonnes of rock armour is to be placed into position forming a crucial part of the project.
Each of the 30 tonnes Terex TA300 370 horse power dumpers being used to move the rock have a surprisingly low carbon footprint and cost around a quarter of a million pounds each. The CAT 730C's are similarly efficient.
Mark Carne, the chief executive of Network Rail who recently visited the site, travelled by train AND used the replacement bus service.
Folkestone based commuters are using the free parking at Folkestone West rather than starting their usual commute and paying to park at Folkestone Central, thus placing an unecessary burden on the availability of parking places at the latter.Helps no end that, doesn't it?!?
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,707
The service has settled down to some sort of regularity with the buses on the whole working reasonably well even if no two drivers can choose the same route into and out of Dover.
The coastal line has always been rather tenuous and has always had issues, whether it is land slides, track slippage or the constant threat of erosion. Other parts of the route suffer not dissimilar issues particularly the section from Sandwich to Ramsgate. Back in the days of the Channel tunnel dig BR were offered free use of one of the TBMs to bore an alternate tunnel from Folkestone East to Dover but turned the offer down as they felt there was no issue - 25 years on and there most clearly is...
Whilst I empathise with the good burghers of Deal they can be as up in arms as they like but it will neither fix the problem quicker or encourage/persuade Southeastern & Network Rail to seriously consider any other options.
I am hoping we can get a further 10 years plus out of the line before the next major issue and its whole future is put under the microscope
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,560
The footbridge has now been completely demolished.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
The way I am reading this is that the petition is about long term overall performance but Southeastern trains see this as an attack on their post Christmas service.
http://www.dover-express.co.uk/Southeastern-petition/story-28543240-detail/story.htmlKarlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,560
Another protest meeting on Friday.
http://www.trains4deal.com/
Come and find out the progress that we're making - and update us on the problems we need to make a fuss about.
When will fast trains again travel via Deal and Sandwich?
How long is it going to take to mend the seawall?
When will the shuttle services be improved?
We have been promised that local MP Charlie Elphicke and Southeastern Trains MD David Statham will be there.
Actions since the last meeting:
We have met with MP Charlie Elphicke;
We put in specific suggestions to him and Southeastern with practical timings for relief fast trains via the Minster Loop and Canterbury West and expect a response.
Given it will take many months to repair the seawall break, replacement bus services are not a satisfactory solution.howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
I must be missing something here but what is the alternative to the bus replacement service?
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,560
I think it's direct trains to St Pancras via Minster and Canterbury West.
Karlos- Location: Dover
- Registered: 1 Oct 2012
- Posts: 2,560
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/dover/news/taskforce-to-spearhead-rebuild-of-59483/
All seems a bit vague. 1 month, 3 months, 12 months. Doesn't look like anyone knows yet.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
Have to be cynical here and think that the longer this goes on with no target date then people will get used to it. Deal commuters seem much more organised than those who travel from Dover, something that will not be lost on Network Rail and Charlie. Perhaps post 77 will come to fruition?
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
#77 is surely more 'round the houses' than direct?