[swt_passenger]

Secretary of State TWA letter:

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publication...ion-letter.pdf

Minded to make the order, subject to any valid last minute objections or valid requests to reopen the enquiry.

New deadline is tomorrow...

[oversteer]

We do love our bats don't we!

Maybe they should dig out a second tunnel for the bats to use

[Chris125]

Great news, though there'll be a few LNWR directors turning in their graves if you look at the station designs...

Chris

[swt_passenger]

Originally Posted by oversteer

We do love our bats don't we!

Maybe they should dig out a second tunnel for the bats to use

The bats are sorted. It's probably more the noise and vibration nimbys they need to worry about.

Also, if anyone follows the links and opens up the zip file of correspondence on the DfT's site, the last contribution is from the infamous Paul Withrington, so called 'director' of his own one man anti-rail campaign group 'Transport Watch'.

Read that and realise that he bombards the DfT, and the national press with that sort of stuff regularly - and occasionaly editors get taken in by his detailed reports...

[OliverS]

Originally Posted by swt_passenger

The bats are sorted. It's probably more the noise and vibration nimbys they need to worry about.

Maybe I misread it, but I thought it was saying that everything was sorted, and why, and now it was the last chance to point out why the reasons given were wrong.

[swt_passenger]

Originally Posted by OliverS

Maybe I misread it, but I thought it was saying that everything was sorted, and why, and now it was the last chance to point out why the reasons given were wrong.

I thought that, but I think re-reading para 36 does suggest that even at this stage the enquiry could be reopened.

We'll see what happens failry quickly, I think. It may well be that any remaining objector's legal advisors will give them a push in the right direction if they are convinced it is now a done deal...

[OliverS]

Originally Posted by swt_passenger

I thought that, but I think re-reading para 36 does suggest that even at this stage the enquiry could be reopened.

We'll see what happens failry quickly, I think. It may well be that any remaining objector's legal advisors will give them a push in the right direction if they are convinced it is now a done deal...

I sort of got the impression that it could be reopened in theory, but that you would have to be bringing something new or pointing out a mistake rather than rehashing old stuff. I.e. hopefully unlikely to be reopened.

[aylesbury]

There,s alot of wealthy nimbys in this area and they think that can make the rules for the rest of us .They take over villages and only commute or live in them as holiday homes. Travel links need priority over these people and bats this link is wanted by millions and should have been started by now.

[Clip]

Originally Posted by aylesbury

There,s alot of wealthy nimbys in this area and they think that can make the rules for the rest of us .They take over villages and only commute or live in them as holiday homes. Travel links need priority over these people and bats this link is wanted by millions and should have been started by now.

Millions? are you sure??

[Andyjs247]

Originally Posted by Clip

Millions? are you sure??

Wanted by millions is perhaps stretching the point. However, in the context of East-West rail of which Evergreen 3 is just the start it is not unrealistic to say that the link would bring benefits to millions of people living in the wider south east MK/south midlands areas and beyond to East Anglia and the south west.

Looking forward to an early decision. The cynic in me wonders if it were DfT proposing the scheme (e.g. if it was East-West rail coming first not Chiltern), whether the planning process would be any different.

[gwr2006]

DELAYED AGAIN....

The TWA public inquiry is being re-opened this summer to consider 4 specific matters raised by objectors. Already one year behind schedule this could push services back another year to 2015. Here is a statement from Chiltern Railways:

We are currently working to establish a direct rail link between Oxford and London Marylebone, the first new rail route between London and a major city for 100 years. The Evergreen 3 project which will deliver this is currently awaiting final Transport and Works Act approval following confirmation from the Secretary of State in January 2012 that she was minded to make the Order. This followed a public inquiry held in Oxford between November 2010 and January 2011 after which the Inspector’s report found there to be a compelling case for the scheme in the public interest.

In her letter of January 2012 the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Transport and Works Act Inquiry Procedure Rules, gave those who presented evidence at the public inquiry, the opportunity to make further written representations or to ask for the inquiry to be re-opened.

On 6th March 2012 we were advised by the Department for Transport that the Secretary of State is re-opening the inquiry to further consider four specific matters. These relate only to the mitigation measures for bats living in Wolvercot tunnel and to the form of three of the planning conditions proposed by the Secretary of State. The re-opened inquiry will not consider evidence on any other matters.

We have already committed to a range of mitigation measures including:

- the development of a system where the approach of a train at night would trigger lights in Wolvercot tunnel which would deter bats from the path of the train. Trials in autumn 2011 showed that this system would be successful. A monitoring programme has been agreed and Natural England is satisfied that a Protected Species licence should be issued if the Order is made.

- the provision of noise barriers and noise insulation measures where required along the line.

- the relocation of great crested newts and badgers to keep them safe from the works and the operation of the line.

- the avoidance of Roman remains and the contribution of funds to support the restoration of the historic swing bridge near the old Rewley Road station.

- a commitment to improve rail, pedestrian and road safety by replacing most level crossings.

Rob Brighouse, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways said: “Our proposed link between Oxford and London will bring huge benefits to Oxford and Bicester, and the planned parkway station in north Oxford at Water Eaton will allow passengers to avoid congestion in the city centre. Whilst it is disappointing that the inquiry has been reopened, we welcome the opportunity to demonstrate further, in public, the lengths we have gone to deal with the issues raised and to protect the local environment. We remain committed and confident about the project and we look forward to receiving the final permission from the Secretary of State in the near future.”

Once the Transport and Works Act has been approved we will re-evaluate the project schedule before beginning construction with the aim of opening the line in 2014.

[Prometheus]

How long before Chiltern Railways give up on this as a bad job?

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by gwr2006

...the first new rail route between London and a major city for 100 years...

Erm, HS1 anyone?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Originally Posted by Prometheus

How long before Chiltern Railways give up on this as a bad job?

They can't. It's too far gone now. Besides, EWR is dependent on its completion.

[Bald Rick]

Originally Posted by Eagle

Erm, HS1 anyone?

Ah the sprawling metropolis that is Ashford

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by Bald Rick

Ah the sprawling metropolis that is Ashford

Or that quaint little town an hour and a half down the railway line from it... Paris I think it's called.