Meeting documents

Update from Charles Hurst, Network Rail’s delivery manager for East West Rail

Charles Hurst, Network Rail’s Delivery Manager, for East West Rail was welcomed to the meeting.

Members were shown a PowerPoint presentation, during which the following key points were highlighted.

There are two particular points of interest for members of the LAF; the consequence of the process and the environmental impact.

Phase 1 of the project from Oxford to Bicester is currently under construction. There is some learning to take away from some of the issues that have arisen. The project originally started as Chiltern Rail; Network Rail subsequently inherited the Transport and Works Order when it was signed and agreed.

Phase 1

The aim is for Phase 1 to be nearing completion and for passenger services to be running by 26 October 2016. Work will continue on the Oxford parkway for approximately a year after the completion date of Phase 1.

·      Noise and vibration are two of the biggest issues to address. Condition 19 specifies what has to be achieved in terms of acceptable noise and vibration levels. There are still some local issues to address as the request has been received for further noise attenuation to take place.

·      In terms of land take, there needs to be a realisation of what is required land-wise for the project to be constructed.

·      Several sub agreements to the initial agreement. This includes amendments to the loss of compulsory rights which are now negotiated in an open market situation i.e. the landowner can ask the price they want for the land.

·      The training of signallers has been delayed

·      There will be a new station at Oxford Parkway. The platform lengths at Islip station will be renewed.

·      The new lines which form part of the Oxford Core enable passengers to travel directly from Oxford to Marylebone instead of having to go to Reading.

·      Bicester town centre – work is being carried out under the Transport and Works Act which means that the crossing doesn’t need to be closed in phase 1.  Discussions are taking place with Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire Highways about the proposals for the road and ridge schemes. The barrier downtime of 35/45 minutes in the hour during Phase 2 is unacceptable.

Phase 2

·      It is hoped that the required works can be carried out under Permitted Development.

·      A Transport and Works Order will be in place for 18 months/2 years.  This will go via the various channels of consultation and be submitted for approval from the Secretary of State.

·      Some informal consultation about the scheme has taken place with local residents and stakeholders.  An official consultation will take place in September 2015. Further consultation will take place in March 2016, during which any additional information will be evaluated.

·      The impact of the construction traffic and sites during the programme has been recognised.  All issues are being considered.

Project timeline

·      If the work is to be completed over a period of two years, this is a very tight timescale in terms of subsequent works taking place and services being up and running by March 2017.

·      There are regulations to conform around environmental impact.

·      Baseline surveys will take place to scope the measures that need to be taken.

·      The recommendations on the extent and scope of the report enable the formulation of the impact assessment and allow the design to be completed.

·      The draft Environmental statement is consulted upon before the final statement is produced.

Progress on the scheme

·      De-vegetation works and spraying have taken place to kill off any regrowth to reveal the structure of the track

·      Ground investigations work includes taking ground samples for culverts and bridges to enable the structural integrity of the access to be seen.

·      Ecology surveys will also take place which includes taking samples and counts of species are taking place until spring 2016

·      One of the biggest issues is still the level crossing and ongoing closure of the road in Bicester.

·      The work from Bicester to Bletchley is on track.

·      6 of the 8 crossings between Bletchley to Bedford need to be closed.  2 have half barriers which need to be upgraded. The cost to carry out this work is approximately £12m.

During discussions, the following questions were asked and comments made.

Does the Equality Impact Assessment include the effect on the Rights of Way? Yes the EIA includes the effect on the Rights of Way.

In terms of the Bicester crossing being shut for 35 minutes in the hour, is there not an alternative route for traffic via the ring road? This is a question that Highways needs to address.  One possibility might be to restrict access to the crossing to delivery hours both morning and evening.

It has been mentioned that some bridges which are electrified may be unsuitable.  How many bridges will have to be replaced? This information will be known when the track design has been completed. It might not be viable to change the gradient of some of the bridges to an acceptable level for freight; these bridges would therefore have to be replaced. One of the options being considered is taking the top off bridges which have a sound structure and adding a deck. The option of disconnecting the arch and raising the bridge by 1 metre is being carried out by a French company.

Concern was expressed about the route of EWR which crosses two bridleways in Quainton.  The HS2 route is also on the same crossing.  When the application was made for a Transport Work Order, this had to be on the basis that EWR was a standalone project and HS2 did not exist. If HS2 didn’t go ahead, the proposal would be to close the bridle-path and divert to a nearby bridge. If HS2 does prevail, it is in their powers to find a resolution to the bridle-path. Clearer information is needed about HS2.

The Chairman thanked Mr Hurst for the very informative update.