Revision
Due to the inherent stress of BTConnect, fbb's blogging integrity sort of fizzled yesterday and a few compositional errors crept in. Notably one map being included twice and a few bits of salient information being ignored!
The above diagram shows where we are and it is worth remembering (how could fbb ever forget) that Hoek van Holland is approx 25 km (over 15 miles in real money) from central Rotterdam. Here is a six minute video (commentary in English!) which summarises the story so far.
Extension
The video mentions a proposed extension from the harbour station to Strand, a station that existed on the old "proper" branch but one which was nearly a mile from the beach and all its delights.
Readers may like to attempt their own translation of the Dutch language sign on the first shop!
There is lots and lots (and even more lots!) of sand ...
... and some stunning views across the Rotterdam Waterway to Europoort!
So Metro B is being extended right to the beach.
Here is the old Strand station ...
... a little on the basic side, but here with "proper" train ...
... and here without train and awaiting the new line.
Here is the new station looking back towards the Haven ...
... and looking from Haven towards the new Strand terminus, here is what is being built.
It is single track shown above from the western portal of the false tunnel; and below is the bit from Haven station via the landscaped above-ground tunnel.
The original Strand terminus was bottom right.
The new station will be right opposite the chippy!
As part of the extension, a brand new Haven station is being built - a little further from the ships - but the number of "classic" passengers is now very small and the new stop will be nearer the town of Hoek van Holland.
And it will be smarter and easier to maintain!So that's pretty clear, then.
There is plenty of interest in the infrastructure of the line. There is a swing bridge with overhead ...
... and a lifting bridge with overhead!
So no expense spared.
Connection
The former junction at Scheidam is an utterly spectacular piece of stuff. The entrance is stunning and sits on a large pedestrian square ...
... and just beyond the tower block ...
... are the tram stops.
But that viaduct is not just for trains because an over enlargement of a Streetview view reveals ...
A bus! The buses are on a higher level, and, obviously, stop right outside the station entrances on that level.
And, of course again, there are subways and ramps down to the main station entrance and ticket hall. The bus shown on Streetview is there in the distance beyond the "Spar shop" tower!
You can look down from the viaduct to the tram stops!
So trams, buses, metro, "big trains" and, above all pedestrians are catered for at this massive and useful interchange.
In the above aerial view you can spot the tower block "with Spar shop" (centre left), then, scrolling to the right, you have the road viaduct, the metro station with flying junction, the classic railway station and the A20 motorway far right.
It is a bit swish inside as well.
That's what you get when governments are really prepared to Build Back Better, encourage public transport and help preserve the planet! For real.
Here is Scheidam Centrum in 1880.
Hmm. It has changed a bit in 140 years.
Interesting fact:-
Hoek van Holland (north of the Waterway, upper left) and the whole Europoort "coast" (south of ditto) are part of the very oddly shaped City of Rotterdam.
Not a lor of people know that!
In conclusion : what we need in the UK is a Public Transport ...
Revolution!
P.S. A short distance from Scheidam Centrum, the A, B and C services dive underground ...
... to become a real Metro. The route them comes up for air to the east of the city centrer at the joyously named Karlingse Zoom station ...
... just beyond which is the depot.
Rotterdam's population is similar to that of "greater" Sheffield - contrast and compare!
Next TV Review blog : Saturday 16th October
Possibly the biggest difference with the UK is that the Dutch take land use planning very seriously, and don't have the kind of developer pressures here in the UK. In turn, that allows more stable transport systems to be planned and implemented.
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