Solar Architecture
&
Envaluation
Chartered architecture practice and environmental evaluation
Contact: tel: +44 (0)7838 155739 eml: envaluation@icloud.com
Other projects
RAILWAY, BRIDGE, AND PEDAL CAR
London orbital rail
Image created by Olivier Demangel
Video with image of proposed guideway constructed along the margin of the M25 showing two three-carriage trains about to pass. The railway will reduce substantially the number of vehicles and pollution on the western sector of the M25.
Video made by Paul Maynard.
The video is 4 mins. Press play to start -(it takes 4 seconds to start playing)
This project was conceived in the 1990's at the time the route for HS1 was being debated. At first it was seen just as means of linking together all the railway lines coming into, and out of, London in order to avoid coming into central London to change between one line and another. This would be not only convenient, but would reduce congestion on existing trains and on the London underground.
Airports linked to railways
Given the poor connectivity of airports airline pilot Peter Buckley proposed the project should also link, not just Heathrow, already on the M25, but also London's other airports, to the railways and to each other using the M23, M1, and M11 as well as the M25 corridors and using an elevated light rail similar to Skytrain in Vancouver or the DLR in London. ITSL Consultancy Ltd was formed to forward the project which was at first known as LARTS (London Air Rail Transit System).
Elevated light rail system
The elevated nature of the system allows it to negotiate obstacles, and in particular to cross a motorway like the M25 where it has been widened and remove the 10m margin that was either side. And it allows the light rail to connect with existing stations by sitting above them as well as alongside them if space exists. A benefit of this is that the system can be totally separate from, and not interfere with, the existing railway lines.
SLR - Phase One
Phase One of the project is known as SLR (Southern Light Rail) and has been supported by Spelthorne Borough Council as a means of helping regenerate Staines. SLR links Waterloo to Heathrow with a spur line off the main M25 route to Staines-upon-Thames. The journey time is 7 minutes on a train departing every 6 minutes during the day but less frequently during the night after 11pm.
Automated 24 hr system and air freight
The elevated light rail will be fully automated and would run 24hrs a day. Airport staff and airport passengers need to travel early and late. As well as passenger carriages, the system has freight wagons designed to take containers to go into cargo areas and hence into the holds of planes. The freight operation will be mainly during the night and other times when there are fewer passengers,
Proposed SLR route between Heathrow terminals and Staines-upon-Thames. Journey time 7 mins on a train every 6mins. Transfer at Staines for Waterloo.
Proposed route between Heathrow and Gatwick with non-stop express service and a stopping service for stations in between. Express journey time is 31 mins.
Image of the elevated light rail from Staines going into T5 (seen in right background). Between the two is a Park and Ride for cars combined with a bus hub for coaches and buses. Passengers will transfer from here into the light rail to travel to or from Heathrow..
Image by Paul Maynard .
Proposed route and connections of London Orbital Rail which will connect London's railways, airports and major highways to each other. Park and ride with bus hubs will be at the points where the motorways and main A roads join the M25.
The stations that can be connected and total journey time to them from Heathrow T5 would be:
Express non-stop services from T5 to -
Gatwick airport 31 mins
Luton Airport 32 mins
Stansted 57 mins *
Southend Airport 59 mins
* Light rail from T5 to Waltham Cross then change onto Stansted Express
Stopping services from T5
Staines 7 mins
Byfleet & New Haw 11 mins
Leatherhead 24 mins
Merstham 31 mins
Oxted 38 mins
Sevenoaks (Dunton Grn) 47 mins
Swanley 60 mins
Dartford 66 mins
Bluewater 54 mins
Ebbsfleet 57 mins
Iver 6 mins
Kings Langley 19 mins
Potters Bar 32 mins
Waltham Cross 38 mins
Brentwood 52 mins
Upminster 56 mins
Lakeside 62 mins
West Thurrock 64 mins
Grays 67 mins
Tilbury 69 mins