Originally Posted by
Trinity 09L
Asturias56
I fully agree, it should have gone ahead at the chord you mention. However, building now requires a dive under for a eastbound track to reach the tunnel, and the whole width widened to six tracks, when it has been electrified. Weekend track closures necessary for the construction. Cost overrun from £1bn upwards.
Heathrow recent upgrade of road tunnels at the airport = 400% overspend.
Well the new junction is in the middle of the Green Belt and open fields so not as potentially troublesome - tho there is a large Travelers permanent encampment very close
To be fair the monster rebuild of Reading Station and the surrounding area did come in under budget and a year ahead of schedule.... one of the few big construction jobs to ever achieve that in the UK. On the other hand GWR electrification... or (whisper it) CrossRail.......................