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***ROD Network Rail (Cambridge Re-Signalling) Order Consultation Response

18/04/2023 - ***ROD Network Rail (Cambridge Re-Signalling) Order Consultation Response

Cambridge City Council

Record of Executive Decision

Network Rail (Cambridge Re-Signalling) Order Consultation Response

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:

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplayClassic.aspx?NAME=Associated%20Documents&ID=1626&RPID=77239364&sch=doc&cat=13458&path=13020%2c13021%2c13458%2c13458

 

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:

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplayClassic.aspx?NAME=Associated%20Documents&ID=1626&RPID=77239364&sch=doc&cat=13458&path=13020%2c13021%2c13458%2c13458

 

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:

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplayClassic.aspx?NAME=Associated%20Documents&ID=1626&RPID=77239364&sch=doc&cat=13458&path=13020%2c13021%2c13458%2c13458

 

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

https://democracy.cambridge.gov.uk/ecSDDisplayClassic.aspx?NAME=Associated%20Documents&ID=1626&RPID=77239364&sch=doc&cat=13458&path=13020%2c13021%2c13458%2c13458

 

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.