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Decision of: Councillor
Katie Thornburrow, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Infrastructure.
Reference: 22/URGENCY/P&T/14
Date of decision: 14/09/22
Date 22/09/22
Decision Type: Non-Key
Matter for
Decision: Response to the
Network Rail (Cambridge Re-signalling) Order
Why the Decision
had to be made (and any alternative options):
An application has
been submitted by Network Rail under Section 6 of the Transport and Works Act
Order 1992. The application has been
submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport to determine. South Cambridgeshire District Council and
Cambridge City Council (the Councils) are statutory consultees and have been
invited to submit representations to the Secretary of State by 23 September
2022.
The stated aim the
Cambridge Re-signalling Relock & Recontrol Project (‘the project’) is to
upgrade the re-signalling system to a 35-year life and improve the reliability
and performance of the signalling system in the Cambridge interlocking area,
and thereby improve the performance and reliability of the network. The project includes the re-signalling of the
Cambridge station interlocking area and the upgrade of the relevant level
crossings, and any other works and operations incidental or ancillary to such
works. It covers sites in Cambridgeshire
and Norfolk. The sites in the Councils’
administrative areas are as follows:
• South Cambridgeshire – Level
crossings at Shepreth, Little Shelford, Six Mile
Bottom, Milton and Waterbeach.
• Cambridge City – Land to the
south of Long Road bridge.
Copies of the
location plans showing the areas covered by the draft Order can be found here:
https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/cambridge-resignalling-twao/NR10
Deposited Land Plans C3R.pdf
The current
application for the draft Order would confer powers for Network Rail to
compulsorily acquire land and rights in land and take temporary possession in
connection with the works required for project and stop up the public
highway. The application does not
include detailed plans for the works.
These works would be done under the applicant’s permitted development
rights, prior approval or following the granting of express planning
permission. As stated in the
application, the applicant would submit further applications for prior approval
or the granting of express planning permission for works at Six Mile Bottom, Shepreth and Little Shelford. The current application is not to be made
subject to an environmental impact assessment.
The Councils
previously commented on Network Rail’s public consultation in April 2021 and to
the consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment screening request in
July 2021. In these representations, the
Councils supported comments made by Cambridgeshire County Council in respect of
transport matters, and raised further matters summarised as follows:
1. Strongly
support the proposed signalling upgrades and the safety improvements to the
level crossings.
2. Further
assessment of impact of barrier down time on traffic within the locality and
the wider highway network including avoiding unforeseen impacts, and the
resulting potential reduction in air quality and carbon emissions is required.
3. Further
assessment of barrier down time and behavioural responses is required including
additional risk taking, to ensure that improvements in rail safety should not
result in a reduction in road safety.
4. Consider
accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians as well as those with
reduced mobility affected by the proposed level crossing changes.
5. Further
assessment of the impact of the conversion at Shepreth
from half barrier to a full barrier on vehicles queuing in the village is
required, including the combined impact with the existing full barrier within
500m on traffic.
6. Consider
future upgrades to ensure passive provision is provided, including at Six Mile
Bottom level crossing.
7. Diversion
of the Definitive Line of the Public Footpath Waterbeach 21 should be
regularised.
8. Consultation
with Natural England is required on the potential impact of the works at Shepreth on the L-Moor Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI) and at Dimmock’s Close (East Cambridgeshire) on Cam Washes SSSI.
9. Consultation
with Historic England is required on the potential impact of works at Milton,
Waterbeach and Little Shelford on Scheduled Ancient Monuments.
10. The
effect of the proposed development on protected species, listed buildings, Air
Quality Management Zones, works within Flood Zones 2 and 3 should be assessed
through information submitted with the appropriate consent applications.
Officers have
consulted internal consultees within the Environmental Health / Quality and
Growth teams, Ecology and Trees teams, Conservation officers and Policy Teams, as
well as externally with the transport team at Cambridgeshire County Council to
review the applicant’s response on these matters. Views of local members in Wards where there
are proposals were also consulted. A
summary of the consultation responses received is provided in Appendix 2 of
this report viewed at the link below:
Further information
about the proposals can be obtained from https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/improving-the-railway-in-anglia/cambridge-resignalling/
and https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/
Response to the
consultation
It is proposed that
the response is joint with South Cambridgeshire District Council, which will
separately be considering the response.
The proposed
response can be found in Appendix 1 of this report which can be viewed at the
link below:
The proposed
response places a holding objection and seeks further information, assessment,
or response from Network Rail on transport, access and safety, air quality and
carbon emissions, and other environmental matters. The response seeks confirmation that the
transport team at the County Council support the modelling and assessment of
impacts. It highlights site-specific
concerns raised by Ward Councillors and Parish Councils and seeks a response
from Network Rail. The representations
received Ward Councillors and Parish Councils will be enclosed with the letter
which can be viewed at the link below:
The proposed
response invites further engagement with Network Rail to resolve these matters
in order to overcome the holding objection.
Alternative options
The options
available to members are:
• Agree to submit the response in
Appendix 1, with possible minor amendments
• Agree an alternative response.
The Executive
Councillor’s decision:
i.
To
confirm that the consultation response set out in Appendix 1 of this decision
should be made to the TWA application.
ii.
To
confirm delegated authority to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic
Development to submit further representations on the application relating to
these matters.
Reason for the
decision: The proposed
response addresses issues of importance to the Council.
Report: Appendix 1 – Draft Response to the Network
Rail (Cambridge Re-signalling) Order
Conflict of
interest: [None].
Scrutiny
Consideration: The Chair of
the Planning and Transport Committee and Opposition Spokes were consulted on
this matter.
Comments: No
comments were made.
