Kirklees Council has officially withdrawn its objection to Network Rail’s £1.5 billion TransPennine Route Upgrade.
The council had previously expressed its support for the scheme which will see electrification of the line between Huddersfield and Westtown just outside Dewsbury, and also a massive internal modernisation of Huddersfield Railway Station.
However, the council was concerned that Network Rail wouldn’t fully explain or negotiate over the potential disruption that would be caused on road and rail and so lodged an official objection and a public inquiry was triggered.
The objection was only ever seen as a negotiating tactic to bring Network Rail officials round the table and the council has now withdrawn the objection and won’t take part in the inquiry, due to start on November 2 at the John Smith’s Stadium.
In a statement the council said: “The council closely examined the proposals from Network Rail and have worked collaboratively with them, and others, to fine tune the technical details and ensure disruption for residents during construction is minimised.
“The positive partnership that has been forged with Network Rail means that the council will be able to engage with them from now until the completion of the project, keeping the interests of Kirklees residents and businesses at the forefront of the process.
“Assurances have come in the form of three legally binding agreements with Network Rail to cover highways issues, arrangements around the sustained operation of the household waste recycling centres at Emerald Street in Huddersfield and Weaving Lane in Dewsbury during the construction process and secured financial contributions for replacement tree planting and long-term management of woodland areas post completion of the project.
“An agreed list of planning conditions will also be submitted into the inquiry process, to be considered by the planning inspector and be attached to the planning consent for the works and an agreed statement of common ground.”