>
> > And precludes the single best improvement that could happen to the
> > line (through-running to London).
>
> If that was a winner, do you think the present plan would have surfaced? I
> have a gut feeling that if a local campaign for through running was
> activated and gained traction (as they say), the likely outcome would be a
> service through to either or both Stratford and Clapham Junction - not
> Euston. Comments on the loadings on the WLL might indeed support the latter.
>
>

There has been a campaign to run the Abbey Flyer into Euston in the
past, but it always ran into the problem that Virgin needed the train
paths, whereas St Albans already has a direct route into London
(albeit very overloaded)

>
> > IMO the whole idea is completely pointless without street-running
> > extensions.
>
> And such extensions would be on the agenda no doubt  ....  as funds can be
> allocated.
>

I like the idea of street extensions, but hard to see where these
would go. If you turn right up the steep Hollywell Hill you could
provide a very useful Park and Ride service to the Town Centre.
However I think the overhead cables would drive the Civic Socity into
a frenzy.

You could go straight on across the park with a stop at Verulanium
Museum then run up to Bluehouse Hill and then up to Town via Folly
Lane - and incur the wrath of Friends of Verulanium Park

You could reverse at St Albans Abbey, then take a steep turn up onto
Cotton Mill Lane run up as far as London Road then either a left into
town or a right to City Station. These roads get heavily congested
during school run time, traffic that a tram from Watford probably wont
clear.

You could run back along the old railway line to Hatfield. This has
been looked at before but dropped as the route has become a well used
cycle path.

I would have thought there is no chance of any of this in current
funding climate. However some additional stops on the existing line
might be useful - one serving Abbots Avenue in St Albans, Asda in
Garson and the Trident Centre in Watford spring to mind

Rob Smith