I HOPE that you will allow me to use your columns to refute some of the rather facile comments made on rail electrification made by one Adrian Taylor. I do so because my county division of Kennington and Radley will be heavily impacted by this programme.
Can I start by saying that, in my view, third rail electrification is not the answer. This is because it is a Victorian technology which on the continent has almost entirely been replaced by modern overhead electrification systems. Its principal drawback is it cannot produce enough power to enable speeds to exceed much more than 70mph.
This is less than achieved by most of the current diesel units.
Modern electric stock takes its 25 KV AC power direct from the public electricity supply without the need for costly rectifiers (which turn AC into DC) and are fast, efficient and clean. There will be disruption during the installation of the new catenary but in my view the outcomes will be well worth it.
(Cllr) BOB JOHNSTON
Lib Dem, Kennington and Radley
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