Forum Topic

South Acton Shuttle

Thought some people may be interested in this, from one of my favourite blogs:http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-south-acton-shuttle.html

Dan Runciman ● 4778d8 Comments

On a similar note here's something about the branch that used to run to Hammersmith and Chiswick off the North London Line. It's still possible to see where the line ran in places near Rugby Road and Woodstock Roadhttp://www.disused-stations.org.uk/w/woodstock_road_halt/index.shtml

Frank Dacey ● 4777d

I remember the Acton Shuttle well. It was odd to see just one carriage going up and down the line from South Acton to Acton Town..where it had it's own dedicated platform nearest to Bollo Lane. Indeed the platform is still there if you look over the right wall/barrier.There are several pictures on Flickr and by Googling.

Jim Lawes ● 4777d

How splendid perhaps this should be reopened?

dee cook ● 4776d

Unfortunately that's not really practical or even possible; there's virtually nothing left of it.

Dan Runciman ● 4776d

It was just like this!

Jim Lawes ● 4775d

The route has largely been built over by South Acton industrial sheds. It would be possible to provide a new link on a tighter curve, but it wouldn't be cheap and there's sub-zero chance of the authorities having the slightest interest in doing it even if the economics were less unpromising. A minibus shuttle through the streets would be far more cost-effective, though less passenger-convenient.In recent years the local planning authorities screwed up the provision of an alternative interchange station where the two lines cross, by drafting the developer funding agreement so badly that the developer was able to wriggle out of the obligstion.

Chris Veasey ● 4775d

"In recent years the local planning authorities screwed up the provision of an alternative interchange station where the two lines cross, by drafting the developer funding agreement so badly that the developer was able to wriggle out of the obligstion."Did they? Where?

Thomas Barry ● 4774d

It was well documented at the time and I'm sure you could find out. I remember looking at the detailed drawings during the planning consultation period, and later read of the denouement in various newspapers/ journals. It's some years back now and I don't have the references.The main development site, the former Chiswick bus works, was and is in Hounslow borough, so it was that Council that was responsible albeit Ealing were a consultee as directly neighbouring. My understanding is that the legel agrement only triggered the developer obligation fund the station if a particular, later phase of develooment was proceded with - so the developer didn't proceed with that, in order to avoid having to pay.Not the first time I've known planning authorties screw up like that and have to forego or hand back developer money; and I don't expect it'll be the last - I had to move fast and nimbly to get some developer works underway in Surrey when I inherited such a situation as a consultant in Surrey years ago.

Chris Veasey ● 4774d