As a professional in this area, I don't quite know where to start here.
Originally Posted by
Michael SWS
The simple fact is that T5 had to fit into existing, well-established infrastructure, including a Piccadilly Line configured in a layout that made extension very difficult
Regret to advise that our predecessors, 25 years ago when the Piccadilly Line T4 extension was designed, made nice provision for a station underneath the T5 site, which is why it loops so far west, and why there is a straight section specially provided for a platform. Then the T5 architects changed their minds, and rather than just extend the loop arrangement slightly, came up with the ludicous one loop, one branch arrangement which has been regularly parodied in the professional transport press, and which gives daily operating problems for the Underground and causes confusion for visiting travellers.
In one of the most densely-populated parts of the entire country.
Actually its not. It was a great big sewage works site that nobody wanted to live near.
That is bound to present unique engineering challenges and additional costs.
therefore it won't.
The two train platforms that are currently unused were a deliberate design decision, to provide future capacity for as-yet unplanned direct rail services to the airport.
Hmmm, so if unplanned, which way do they face then ?
As for their being the wrong orientation, that is not something that everyone agrees on
A repeat of the Piccadilly Line wasted platform provision, of course.