A regional metro for London

Abstract

The characteristics of an ideal regional metro line are established as: having no more than five stations in the central area; the stations being double ended and long enough for twelve-car trains; and being joined to at least two lines at each side of the central area to give a wider choice of routes and to permit both all-stations trains and semi-fast trains to operate. Services of at least 24 trains per hour are envisaged and, therefore, key junctions need to be grade-separated. The regional metro concept of three lines crossing London linking existing radial routes—Thameslink 2000, CrossRail and Chelsea–Hackney—is examined against the ideal criteria and in the light of the potential catchments, and some alternative solutions to those currently proposed are suggested. The implementation sequence was established before the decision was taken to route the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (with some Kent commuter services) to St Pancras, and the reverse sequence of Chelsea–Hackney metro being constructed before CrossRail deserves serious investigation.