Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[Andyjs247]

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.

As I understand it there weren't any objections specifically to the small chord in Bicester. There were objections to other parts of the scheme which, apart from Mr Feeney, have now all been satisfied. It seems he is objecting to the process by which the Transport and Works Act Order was granted. It is quite frustrating that one person is basically holding up the whole scheme now.

The lack of information coming from Network Rail and Chiltern Railways and apparent lack of a plan is now causing further anxiety and frustration in the Oxford Mail with rail users feeling that they have been kept in the dark - see articles below.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10244869.Commuter_outrage_at__lack_of_plan__for_rail_upgrade/

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/opinion/comment/10244831.COMMENT__Don_t_keep_rail_users_in_the_dark_over_key_project/

Despite this it appears that some work is taking place - I travelled to Oxford and back last week and it appears that some vegetation clearance has started at various points between Bicester and Oxford. From the A41 overbridge at Bicester today I could see several men in high visibility vests working around the junction with the MoD site.

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?

Personally I very much doubt if Legal Aid is available. The rules regarding legal aid have been tightened significantly in recent years, especially for civil cases - and rightly so. However Mr Feeney could have legal expenses insurance which may be applicable in this instance or he may have some other funding. Either way, his day at the High Court is likely to be expensive for someone. As long as that someone is not the taxpayer, I don't mind Mr Feeney having his say, even if I do disagree with him.

What I do disagree with particularly is the elected representatives of certain local authorities using public funds to mount legal challenges to government policy (this is in relation to HS2) - especially where they were not elected on this basis. I fear there are plenty more like Mr Feeney across southern England - some of whom should know better.

 

[jopsuk]

If he's representing himself (as with his previous failed challenge) then he certainly isn't getting legal aid.

 

[RPM]

What I do disagree with particularly is the elected representatives of certain local authorities using public funds to mount legal challenges to government policy (this is in relation to HS2) - especially where they were not elected on this basis. I fear there are plenty more like Mr Feeney across southern England - some of whom should know better.

Couldn't agree more. Makes my blood boil that a proportion of my very expensive Council Tax is being used by Bucks County Council to fund opposition to HS2.

 

[bluenoxid]

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.

This is the reason why Civil Engineers never seem to get anywhere sometimes.

Go to France. Yes you will get the line built eventually. Sometime after HS3 is built. It will be you who will be having the fun though as you try to negotiate with strike happy workers. At least in the UK, once the opposition and politics is put to bed, you can get on with the job (excluding the odd few kiddies, pregnant woman and an old man living in a tree or two on something with "common" in the title).

The infrastructure is not there, otherwise the trains would be running.

He has a right to oppose and it is good that he is doing it. He ensures that the case is robust for this line. We have a tendency to build mega projects without really considering the actual benefits. If it is vexatious, I would expect him to be swatted out of court and if he continues to waste time, there are legal options to stop him.

 

[trainplan1]

Couldn't agree more. Makes my blood boil that a proportion of my very expensive Council Tax is being used by Bucks County Council to fund opposition to HS2.

Quite, particularly when local publications are only against it (and encouraging opposition to it!) Don't get me started on what the schools are doing either!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Don't get me started on what the schools are doing either!

Ah, come on, you can't say something like that and not explain it! What are they doing?

 

[trainplan1]

Ah, come on, you can't say something like that and not explain it! What are they doing?

Won't go and explain them all but one school was in the local paper showing the children having made anti hs2 posters and then putting on a play to highlight the dangers of hs2...

My first thought was have we got to the stage of brainwashing the next generation to make sure this never happens!

Anyway I won't steer this topic further into a HS2 discussion

On subject did I read somewhere (futher back in the thread?) that even his solicitors have not recommended legal action?

 

[Andyjs247]

According to another article (The sole objector - Bicester Advertiser 21/2/13), Natural England has been named as an interested party in the action by Mr Feeney against DfT. It will give evidence as a co-defendant at the hearing which is expected to take place some time next month.

 

[si404]

Couldn't agree more. Makes my blood boil that a proportion of my very expensive Council Tax is being used by Bucks County Council to fund opposition to HS2.

Especially with the almost-lethal potholes that litter our roads and the lights off on rural A roads (the latter saving next-to-nothing and causing at least one fatal accident).

And it's not like there's any choice on the ballot box - the candidates are either against HS2, or against HS2. The mandate for elected officials in Bucks to sue the Government over HS2 is from their local party, not the electorate.

 

[euryalus]

Whay is going to happen at the Bedford end of the proposed "spinal" route? Is it envisaged that some trains will continue northwards onto the Midland route, or will this be something for the future?

 

[MK Tom]

Whay is going to happen at the Bedford end of the proposed "spinal" route? Is it envisaged that some trains will continue northwards onto the Midland route, or will this be something for the future?

Not initially, but extending to Corby does get talked about. Running via Corby and a reversal at Oakham was looked at as an option for running to Cambridge but it was apparently decided to be too indirect.

 

[D365]

What is going to happen at the Bedford end of the proposed "spinal" route? Is it envisaged that some trains will continue northwards onto the Midland route, or will this be something for the future?

Not initially, but extending to Corby does get talked about. Running via Corby and a reversal at Oakham was looked at as an option for running to Cambridge but it was apparently decided to be too indirect.

It would be difficult to (re)instate a Bedford-Hitchin/Sandy line (MML-ECML for Cambridge). Would be useful for extending some further Thameslink services to us :P

In an ideal world the MML electrification would include the Leicester to Peterborough line and the track north of Corby; the Corby services could be extended to Leicester & Peterborough with a split/reverse at Oakham giving Stamford, Melton Mowbray and Oakham direct London services, it could also perhaps be transferred to FCC leaving EMT to concentrate on the Sheffield and Nottingham services. It'd also act as a handy electrified diversionary route for any Blockades through Leicester and give a direct alternative route to Peterborough if there were any problems at the southern end of the ECML. Oh, and it'd make the case for electrifying the Birmingham-Leicester and Ely-Peterborough routes total no-brainers too.

Yes please :P

 

[MK Tom]

Well yes I thought that running via Corby would at least allow an interim whilst money was found for a Bedford-Sandy link. Calling at Welly, Kettering, Corby, Stamford and Peterborough I thought would generate a lot of passengers too.

 

[joeykins82]

In an ideal world the MML electrification would include the Leicester to Peterborough line and the track north of Corby; the Corby services could be extended to Leicester & Peterborough with a split/reverse at Oakham giving Stamford, Melton Mowbray and Oakham direct London services, it could also perhaps be transferred to FCC leaving EMT to concentrate on the Sheffield and Nottingham services. It'd also act as a handy electrified diversionary route for any Blockades through Leicester and give a direct alternative route to Peterborough if there were any problems at the southern end of the ECML. Oh, and it'd make the case for electrifying the Birmingham-Leicester and Ely-Peterborough routes total no-brainers too.

 

[jimm]

Judge has heard Mr Feeney's application for judicial review and a ruling is imminent apparently

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10...t_on_rail_line_redevelopment_due_within_days/

 

[cle]

Before Easter would be good. Can they catch up with the works, or is it delayed significantly?

 

[The Planner]

The works have been delayed irrespective of any court action apparently.

 

[67018]

The works have been delayed irrespective of any court action apparently.

Have all the works been delayed? I went down there last week and there's a lot of evidence of preparatory work (scrub and tree removal) all the way along the line.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

That's standard procedure though. You chop the trees and bushes down in the winter so that birds and beasts don't make nests in them in the spring.

 

[The Ham]

That's standard procedure though. You chop the trees and bushes down in the winter so that birds and beasts don't make nests in them in the spring.

It is also works that can be called maintenance so tend not to need much in the way of permissions (as long as no TPO's are being touched), it is standard practice on any building project.

 

[tom1649]

Has there been any news on this? Things seem to have gone very quiet.

 

[davetheguard]

Chiltern's spokesperson was hoping for a reply before Easter (2013), yet it is over a week past Easter and still nothing - how do these things take so long?

Meanwhile Chiltern's Evergreen 3 website does not seem to have been updated for three and a half YEARS.....

...so no chance of finding any useful information there!

 

[tom1649]

I too noticed the air of dereliction on the Evergreen 3 website. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence does it?

 

[HowardGWR]

In legal matters no news is good news. We have to remember that a few years ago we were looking at a derelict railway and now the future is guaranteed. The JR process can only hold up matters and the route now has double commitment to update it. If Chiltern threw in the towel, the government is not going to do so. I agree delay is frustrating but when I compare this situation with the lines that have been built over with private housing (think of e.g. trying to reopen the S and D through Blandford) which is the worst to have to CPO, both financially and in human rights costs, this is a breeze.

 

[cle]

The government aren't committed to building the curve though.

 

[tom1649]

The government aren't committed to building the curve though.

Why not? If it's got this far in the planning process you'd think they'd put their weight behind it. They'd rather the money invested went down the plug hole would they?

 

[swt_passenger]

Why not? If it's got this far in the planning process you'd think they'd put their weight behind it. They'd rather the money invested went down the plug hole would they?

The government aren't putting any money into Evergreen 3 though (in theory). It would be Chiltern's investment so far that is wasted. I think that what cle is getting at is that the DfT have only committed themselves to East West Rail - but that must have been costed on the basis that Evergreen 3 was already happening. So the supplementary question is does East West Rail's business case still stack up if Evergreen 3 is turned down thanks to this Judicial review. (Unlikely to be turned down I know, but the question's valid I think?)

I guess this chap in Oxford will almost certainly object to EWR in due course?

 

[route:oxford]

I guess this chap in Oxford will almost certainly object to EWR in due course?

That or something else.

 

[tom1649]

Well as the government is relying on Evergreen 3 going ahead for EWR then maybe they should put their weight behind the scheme.

These objectors do have a 'democratic right' to... well... object, but that shouldn't deny us of the right to question their motives.

 

[jimm]

Chiltern's spokesperson was hoping for a reply before Easter (2013), yet it is over a week past Easter and still nothing - how do these things take so long?

Meanwhile Chiltern's Evergreen 3 website does not seem to have been updated for three and a half YEARS.....

...so no chance of finding any useful information there!

Don't know where you get that idea. The links under TWA inquiry give all the documentation from the public inquiry hearings in 2011 and last year.

We're still waiting for the judge to come back with a decision and judges suit themselves.

And to be completely clear about the legal action, Chiltern is only listed as an interested party. The action is against the DfT/the Government over the way it handled the granting of the Transport Work Order. Nothing more, nothing less.

And the DfT will be putting money into the work between Oxford and Bicester, over and above what was already committed to pay for lowering the floor in Wolvercote tunnel. The Government has to cough up because Chiltern's budget only covered enough work on many of the embankments to make them fit for a single track with faster speeds than now. To make things more straightforward, the work needed for East West on this section is being combined with Evergreen3 but that means double track and lots more embankment work plus a second platform for Islip station.