Save a working UK Freight Siding?

[nattybumppo]

Hi

I'm part of a local residents' group campaigning to save a working rail freight siding and metal recycling firm in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

Crossley Evans have been part of Shipley for over 100 years, and use the siding to transport recycled metal. A developer wants to build a superstore on the site, which will mean closure of the firm, loss of 100 jobs and the loss of a useful rail freight siding.

We're not against superstores - plans to build one on a vacant site nearby have been approved, and that won't affect the recycling business or the freight siding.

Planning permission for the superstore at the Crossley Evans site was turned down in December last year, but the developers have appealed.

If you'd like to support our campaign to keep Crossley Evans and the rail freight siding working, then please sign our petition:

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/alan-ridley-uphold-the-decision-to-refuse-planning-consent-for-a-superstore-that-would-displace-crossley-evans-from-their-home-of-100-years-at-otley-road-shipley-west-yorkshire?utm_campaign=petition_created&utm_medium=email&utm_source=guides

I hope you don't mind me posting this here. I'm hoping that fellow rail enthusiasts will be keen to help keep freight on the railways, and save a historic siding.

Many thanks.

 

[Freightmaster]

If you'd like to support our campaign to keep Crossley Evans and the rail freight siding working, then please sign our petition...

There have been no scrap trains from Shipley for over a year now,
so I'm not sure how "useful" the siding actually is to the scrapyard?! :roll:

MARK

 

[bluenoxid]

What would you want on the site to generate enough freight traffic to justify the siding?

 

[nattybumppo]

I'm told that the company's use of the freight siding has been restricted by circumstances outside of their control, rather than their own preference.

I think that it benefits both the landlord and prospective developer's position that Crossley Evans have been unable to fully utilize the siding recently, for whatever reason. Read into that what you will.

I hope that the facts about the current use, and future viability of the siding come out at the planning appeal inquiry, as it certainly deserves to be examined, and you are right to question this.

There does seem to be a strong possibility that the siding could, given the chance, have a useful future. Particularly if the proposed bio fuel plant is built.

Thank you
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What would you want on the site to generate enough freight traffic to justify the siding?

Hopefully a bio fuel plant, in addition to the specialist metal recycling.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/11148403.Recycling_firm_asks_public_for_views_on___6m_green_energy_plant_scheme/


Obviously this needs careful consideration, but if the site becomes a superstore the opportunity is lost along with the freight siding.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd really like to see more of this again in place of some of the road freight. With luck Crossley Evans will remain in Shipley, get the bio fuel scheme up and running, and put more freight back on the railway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_Busy_Scene_at_Crossley_Evans_Scrapyard,_Shipley_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1737072.jpg

I hope the planners agree, and put the superstore on the nearby vacant site where everyone wants it and it won't mean losing the freight siding.

Last post on the subject for now. Thank you to everyone who's stopped by to look at this thread.