As part of Network Rail’s £170m Lee Valley Rail programme, disused land is being used to reinstate a third track between Stratford and Angel Road stations which was lost during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. Due to be complete in 2019, the project will enable two extra trains per hour, unlocking sites for housing development and economic growth in the boroughs of Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forrest.
The Lee Valley Rail programme, running between Lea Bridge station which reopened in May 2016 and Enfield’s new station, Meridian Water, will provide a much needed third track on a congested section of the West Anglia Mainline.
In one of its first major milestones, the project successfully lifted in a 400-tonne bridge last weekend. This included lifting two 40 metre long girders, weighing 138 tonnes, over the adjacent line which was closed to passenger services. The operation was overseen by Network Rail and contractors VolkerFitzpatrick, and involved using a 600-tonne crawler crane to lift sections of the bridge into position.
Just to say that the new Meridian Water station is coming on apace, with the concrete lift towers in place and the deck for the footbridge in place. I only got a quick view and a very poor photo from a passing bus, so could see the situation as regards construction of buildings and track. There are three lift towers though, so clearly there will be platforms on the existing lines and the STAR line.
For those of a more bus-related bent, there are short-wheelbase Plaxton Pointers running a “level crossing shuttle” between both sides of the track at Northumberland Park. I don’t know who is running the service, but they have unique paintwork if anyone wants to get pictures.