(17 Nov 2022, 9:29 pm)Adrian wrote I tend to agree too. Especially when you look at the financial risk of DS6 (which includes the Tyne Dock to East Boldon link) vs DS8, which would still deliver the Wearside loop. Given that it's still linked by a relatively quick bus journey time on the 24.Indeed the Barmston site would have little parking, the line does highlight how Wahington was developed with only roads in mind. I understand they also looked at the curve at between Pattinson and Fatfield, again though parking would be seriously hampered and it would be accessible only from the new build estate. Of course the work at Barmston and on the Victoria must be executed to heavy rail standards.
I think if they got the Wearside loop signed off and started, then it'd give even more potential to reopening the Leamside in full. I assume the biggest cost to reopening is the structural work required on the Victoria Viaduct, and where the banking has collapsed through the Barmston area.
For me, the most problematic part of this, is the location for the Washington South station. Now I understand they're restricted by where the track bed runs, but from the diagrams, they've gone for the old station site on Swan Road/next to Barmston Court. This wouldn't give the station any kind of parking, it's not very accessible by foot, which means you're left on the whim of a bus operator to get you there. At least the North one will be in between two developments.
I also can't see any yield from a chord from Pelaw to Hebburn, the sheer land cost of that and heavy civils to create an embankment on land that naturally falls away to the river is staggering in conception.