Chiltern Oxford Link completed

jimm · 29 Jan 2013

Surveyors were out only last week on the trackbed between Oxford station and Oxford North junction but I haven't been up the line recently so not sure what else is going on, though we are now getting to the vegetation clearance and tree-cutting time of the year, so I'd imagine that's imminent, if not already happening.

The scheme was they key issue discussed at the AGM of the Oxford-Bicester Rail Action Group the other week. Minutes here: http://www.obrag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OBRAG-2013-Summary.pdf

RailUK Forums

relayer · 17 Feb 2013

My understanding is that the workk at Oxford north jcn. is the first stage of remoddeling Oxford. Is this correct?

anthony263 · 17 Feb 2013

relayer said:
My understanding is that the workk at Oxford north jcn. is the first stage of remoddeling Oxford. Is this correct?

There maybe some modification for chilterns services into Oxford etc but I dont think fuinding has been found yet to re-model Oxford station.

Besides I think they will be wiating until Reading is completed first

jimm · 17 Feb 2013

anthony263 said:
There maybe some modification for chilterns services into Oxford etc but I dont think fuinding has been found yet to re-model Oxford station.

Besides I think they will be wiating until Reading is completed first

All depends on how you define remodel - the station is one thing, the signalling and track layout through the Oxford area another.

Work to clear trees from the formation of the former down goods loop (running north from Aristotle Lane bridge to Wolvercot) is under way now, with work going on the rest of the year to get it back into shape, sort out the drains and lay track. This is in connection with work to allow 775m container trains to run between the Midlands and Southampton, with passenger trains using the loop lines and freight going down the middle pair of tracks. See http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10211103.Sadness_as_Wolvercote_trees_go_to_improve_rail_links/

An intermediate phase of resignalling is also going ahead shortly to prepare for electrification, with control switching to Didcot, then there will be more signalling work and serious changes to the track layout as part of the station redevelopment, plans for which are still being drawn up, with the rail industry and the city and county councils all involved.

The station and Oxford area capacity enhancement was mentioned in the HLOS last summer, so some level of funding is already allocated, but until the scope of what will be done to the complete track layout, buildings, station entrances and other facilities, how much money will be needed in total remains to be seen. The councils will clearly be bidding for grants from the government at some stage.

Back on the main premise of this thread, I gather contractors of some sort have taken over much of the car park at Islip station and the legal challenge to the DfT decision on the granting the order to Chiltern is likely to get to court next month
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10226360.Sole_campaigner_objects_to_London_rail_link_plans/

anthony263 · 17 Feb 2013

jimm said:
All depends on how you define remodel - the station is one thing, the signalling and track layout through the Oxford area another.

Work to clear trees from the formation of the former down goods loop (running north from Aristotle Lane bridge to Wolvercot) is under way now, with work going on the rest of the year to get it back into shape, sort out the drains and lay track. This is in connection with work to allow 775m container trains to run between the Midlands and Southampton, with passenger trains using the loop lines and freight going down the middle pair of tracks. See http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10211103.Sadness_as_Wolvercote_trees_go_to_improve_rail_links/

An intermediate phase of resignalling is also going ahead shortly to prepare for electrification, with control switching to Didcot, then there will be more signalling work and serious changes to the track layout as part of the station redevelopment, plans for which are still being drawn up, with the rail industry and the city and county councils all involved.

The station and Oxford area capacity enhancement was mentioned in the HLOS last summer, so some level of funding is already allocated, but until the scope of what will be done to the complete track layout, buildings, station entrances and other facilities, how much money will be needed in total remains to be seen. The councils will clearly be bidding for grants from the government at some stage.

Back on the main premise of this thread, I gather contractors of some sort have taken over much of the car park at Islip station and the legal challenge to the DfT decision on the granting the order to Chiltern is likely to get to court next month
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10226360.Sole_campaigner_objects_to_London_rail_link_plans/

Hopefully aswell this legal challenge will be thrown out. I seriously hope whoever is mounting this legal challenge is not getting legal aid for what is in my opinion just time wasting.

giblets · 19 Feb 2013

According to the Oxford mail:

At the time, Mr Feeney was on incapacity benefit, due to chronic repetitive strain injury and back pain.

Despite having no legal training, the former Pergamon Press worker prepared his own case and represented himself.

So if he can do all this work, RSI, how did he do all this work, surely he is well enough to get a proper job!

YorkshireBear · 20 Feb 2013

He seems like a moron of the highest order. If he wins this case and one man can derail are national infrastructure project (although this is a reopening so how he is so fussed ill never know) then i think i might pack my bags and leave the country.

tbtc · 20 Feb 2013

Mr Feeney is no stranger to legal challenges

I'm worried that HS2 is going to bring "characters" like Mr Feeney out of the woodwork, arguing about every technicality.

I hope he makes a full recovery and finds something better to occupy his time...

jimm · 20 Feb 2013

YorkshireBear said:
He seems like a moron of the highest order. If he wins this case and one man can derail are national infrastructure project (although this is a reopening so how he is so fussed ill never know) then i think i might pack my bags and leave the country.

Oh please... I'm so tired of people who are 'going to leave the country'. No, you're not, just like all the celebs who threatened to leave if the Labour Party won various elections down the years.

As for your childish abuse of Mr Feeney, it's unnecessary and unpleasant. We all have a democratic right to do what he is doing. There are plenty of other countries where people don't.

And it's not a reopening. His challenge relates to the granting of the Transport Works Order for Evergreen3, the Chiltern project to rebuild between Oxford and Bicester, not the East West scheme.

Buttsy · 20 Feb 2013

I'm going to keep my eye out for him and do him over if I see him for delaying this...

jimm · 20 Feb 2013

Buttsy said:
I'm going to keep my eye out for him and do him over if I see him for delaying this...

Is this post meant to be funny? I suppose that's what all the stupid smilies are for.

Well it's not. You are threatening violence against someone. That's not funny - however many stupid smilies you put on it.

And he hasn't delayed anything yet. The line closure isn't expected to start until May. The judge is well aware of the sensitivity of the matter and the time issues, that's why the hearing has been fast-tracked. But don't let the facts get in the way, will you?

joeykins82 · 20 Feb 2013

jimm said:
We all have a democratic right to do what he is doing. There are plenty of other countries where people don't.

True, but vexatious misuses of that right undermines the support of those rights for everyone else, and indeed the right to freedom of speech gives everyone the right to criticise people who lodge these objections against what is (in my opinion at least) a positive scheme such as this.

Buttsy · 20 Feb 2013

jimm said:
Is this post meant to be funny? I suppose that's what all the stupid smilies are for.

Well it's not. You are threatening violence against someone. That's not funny - however many stupid smilies you put on it.

And he hasn't delayed anything yet. The line closure isn't expected to start until May. The judge is well aware of the sensitivity of the matter and the time issues, that's why the hearing has been fast-tracked. But don't let the facts get in the way, will you?

It was intended solely as a joke, unfortuantely it appears that you did not take it that way and so I apologise if I caused offence as none was intended.

YorkshireBear · 20 Feb 2013

jimm said:
Oh please... I'm so tired of people who are 'going to leave the country'. No, you're not, just like all the celebs who threatened to leave if the Labour Party won various elections down the years.

As for your childish abuse of Mr Feeney, it's unnecessary and unpleasant. We all have a democratic right to do what he is doing. There are plenty of other countries where people don't.

And it's not a reopening. His challenge relates to the granting of the Transport Works Order for Evergreen3, the Chiltern project to rebuild between Oxford and Bicester, not the East West scheme.

And i have a democratic right to insult his opposition as stupid.

This line already exists then, it is a simple enough upgrade of an existing line, so what is his problem exactly?

The east west rail link includes Oxford Bicester, but it just coming slightly earlier with this chiltern scheme. So... not really..

I am a civil engineer, if one guy with no real case can stop of a scheme of (i repeat) national importance to the Uk rail network then what is the point of me as an engineer staying here? I speak French i can move to France where opposition is lower and not considered anywhere near as seriously.

LE Greys · 20 Feb 2013

Similar to the <ahem> individual who spent all his time walking behind Wendy Pryce on her way in and out of court carrying a plaquard about some nuclear weapons conspiricy. Everyone has the right to an opinion and the right to air it, no matter how foolish it makes them look. Surely we all know the famous Voltaire quote (it was actually Voltaire's biographer who coined it).

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

My opinion is that the gentleman bringing the action should be ruled to be a vexatious litigiant, but that's just my opinion. He has a right to try, though.

jimm · 21 Feb 2013

YorkshireBear said:
And i have a democratic right to insult his opposition as stupid.

This line already exists then, it is a simple enough upgrade of an existing line, so what is his problem exactly?

The east west rail link includes Oxford Bicester, but it just coming slightly earlier with this chiltern scheme. So... not really..

I am a civil engineer, if one guy with no real case can stop of a scheme of (i repeat) national importance to the Uk rail network then what is the point of me as an engineer staying here? I speak French i can move to France where opposition is lower and not considered anywhere near as seriously.

With rights come responsibilities and insulting people in the frankly pathetic way you did is disgraceful.

His complaint is on procedural grounds and relates to the DfT's handling of the authorisation of the Chiltern scheme - nothing else.

At present, he hasn't stopped anything. Preparatory work is continuing.

I doubt you'll enjoy the French tax regime but that's another story. And it's not about opposition, it's about France being a larger country, with a smaller population, so it's much easier to build new railway formations and autoroutes through places with fewer people around than in crowded Britain.

Buttsy said:
It was intended solely as a joke, unfortuantely it appears that you did not take it that way and so I apologise if I caused offence as none was intended.

I think I made it pretty clear that 'joke' or not, it wasn't very funny. Equally childish as the use of language I had complained about, which added absolutely nothing to the discussion.

Buttsy · 21 Feb 2013

My objection to this person bringing this legal challenge forward is twofold:

1) There were many other objectors to this scheme who, combined, could have afforded the costs of full legal representation in order to challenge the DfT in any area. North Oxford is not a poor part of town, neither is north Oxfordshire;
2) If he is obtaining legal aid, bearing in mind point 1 above, then I would consider that his challenge is vexacious and a waste of government money in these times of 'austerity' and cuts that we are continually reminded of and seeing.

jimm said:
I think I made it pretty clear that 'joke' or not, it wasn't very funny. Equally childish as the use of language I had complained about, which added absolutely nothing to the discussion.

So we are to be serious in every posting on this site??? I certainly hope not.

Aictos · 21 Feb 2013

giblets said:
According to the Oxford mail:

So if he can do all this work, RSI, how did he do all this work, surely he is well enough to get a proper job!

Exactly, if he's well enough to do all this work then he's well enough to get a proper job - If I was HM Revenue & Customs I would be very interested in knowing why he was claiming benefits when he so obviously was fully capable of working ie preparing a legal case in his own time.

HSTEd · 21 Feb 2013

HLE 13 said:
Exactly, if he's well enough to do all this work then he's well enough to get a proper job - If I was HM Revenue & Customs I would be very interested in knowing why he was claiming benefits when he so obviously was fully capable of working ie preparing a legal case in his own time.

Yes, because book work (which is what most of legal case preparation is) done at any time of day is equivalent to doing work with set hours at a location that is not his house?

We have no idea whether his conditions might be sufficient to stop him from working but in a way that leaves him with free time where he isn't rolling around the floor in pain.

Do you expect he can find an office job where he might be confined to bed or something for days at a time with no warning?

YorkshireBear · 21 Feb 2013

jimm said:
With rights come responsibilities and insulting people in the frankly pathetic way you did is disgraceful.

His complaint is on procedural grounds and relates to the DfT's handling of the authorisation of the Chiltern scheme - nothing else.

At present, he hasn't stopped anything. Preparatory work is continuing.

I doubt you'll enjoy the French tax regime but that's another story. And it's not about opposition, it's about France being a larger country, with a smaller population, so it's much easier to build new railway formations and autoroutes through places with fewer people around than in crowded Britain.

I think I made it pretty clear that 'joke' or not, it wasn't very funny. Equally childish as the use of language I had complained about, which added absolutely nothing to the discussion.

Its a forum for opinions thats my opinion thats yours lets not argue on this thread.

Ironside · 21 Feb 2013

vexatious litigiants should have the right to say what they like, but I don't think they should necessarly have to be listened too or given then there day in court or be given equal amounts of media attention, just because they have an opinion. It's soo frustrating when you think of what the money spent on listening to some of these people could be directed towards.

Obviously it's different when there is an arguement based on real facts, but vexatious litigiants are really annoying.

Aictos · 21 Feb 2013

HSTEd said:
Yes, because book work (which is what most of legal case preparation is) done at any time of day is equivalent to doing work with set hours at a location that is not his house?

We have no idea whether his conditions might be sufficient to stop him from working but in a way that leaves him with free time where he isn't rolling around the floor in pain.

Do you expect he can find an office job where he might be confined to bed or something for days at a time with no warning?

I disagree, how do you know that most of legal case preparation work involves books, it could involve the use of PCs and just because he suffered from chronic repetitive strain injury and back pain doesn't mean he was unable to work - just that he had different needs then anyone else.

You assume I assumed he could find a office job, there are other jobs in the UK which are suitable which don't involve office work and what would I believe to be good for the guy.

I hope his case gets rejected simply so he can move on and so can the project which benefits a lot more users.

jopsuk · 21 Feb 2013

Given that his last case was rather dismissed, it could weel be that he'd put together a rather shaky case during short periods of being able to be active enough to use his computer- that doesn't mean he was well enough to do a full or even part time job.

Con · 21 Feb 2013

What are Mr Feeney's grounds for objecting to a small chord of railway? God knows there are enough cranks over here objecting to the development of the Western Rail Corridor without southern England having that sort of trouble making as well.

jimm · 22 Feb 2013

YorkshireBear said:
Its a forum for opinions thats my opinion thats yours lets not argue on this thread.

I never said you couldn't have an opinion. But you saw fit to indulge in unnecessary and unpleasant name-calling that added nothing to the discussion or the expression of your opinion.

So you don't agree with Mr Feeney. Fair enough. There was no need to go beyond saying that in the way that you did.

I don't imagine you'd like it very much if someone used that word about you in a post here, would you?

YorkshireBear · 22 Feb 2013

Yes I see your point. Im not the only one on here to type without thinking. I apologise.

route:oxford · 22 Feb 2013

HSTEd said:
Yes, because book work (which is what most of legal case preparation is) done at any time of day is equivalent to doing work with set hours at a location that is not his house?

Or Library?

From the Oxford Mail:-

Without a computer at home, he has relied on endless library visits to research his challenge.

DynamicSpirit · 22 Feb 2013

Buttsy said:
2) If he is obtaining legal aid, bearing in mind point 1 above, then I would consider that his challenge is vexacious and a waste of government money in these times of 'austerity' and cuts that we are continually reminded of and seeing.

Why would whether or not he is receiving legal aid have any bearing on whether his challenge is vexatious or not? There may be other reasons for it being vexatious, but I doubt that whether his financial circumstances qualify him for legal aid is a factor in that issue.

tbtc · 22 Feb 2013

DynamicSpirit said:
Why would whether or not he is receiving legal aid have any bearing on whether his challenge is vexatious or not? There may be other reasons for it being vexatious, but I doubt that whether his financial circumstances qualify him for legal aid is a factor in that issue.

Without knowing full details of this case, I would hope that Legal Aid isn't available for "vexatious" legal challenges - is there any criteria applied to this kind of thing?

HowardGWR · 23 Feb 2013

tbtc said:
Without knowing full details of this case, I would hope that Legal Aid isn't available for "vexatious" legal challenges - is there any criteria applied to this kind of thing?

The judge decides that (right at the outset, so it must be a runner).

Chiltern Oxford Link completed

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