To ratify the recently submitted ‘Statement of Case’ made to the Department for Transport by CBC relating to Phase 2 of the Western Section of East West Rail (Bicester to Bedford and Aylesbury to Milton Keynes).

RESOLVED

1.         That the content of the Council’s Statement of Case (Appendix A to the report) to allow the Council to present evidence verbally at the Public Inquiry, should current issues remain unresolved, be ratified.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      To oppose the proposed ‘Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order’ to the extent as set out in the Executive report, to allow the Council to present evidence verbally at the Public Inquiry, should current issues remain unresolved.

2.      That the Council’s Statement of Case at Appendix A to the Executive report be ratified.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Regeneration that sought ratification of the recently submitted Statement of Case made to the Department for Transport by the Council relating to Phase 2 of the Western Section of East West Rail (Bicester to Bedford and Aylesbury to Milton Keynes). 

Whilst the Council was supportive of East/West Rail overall, the Statement of Case outlined the Council’s objection to the proposals, as a result of the proposed closure of footpath crossings across the Bedford-Bletchley line and their impact on Lidlington.  Further clarifications were also needed on timescales for detailed design, HGV and construction traffic routes.  The Case also raised the omission of the submitted Local Plan strategic allocations in the area, as this had not been factored into the assessment of impact.

Reason for decision:  As the Council had not had any formal confirmation that the points of objection could be resolved, it would be necessary to pursue this at Public Inquiry.  

RESOLVED

1.         that the content of the Council’s Statement of Case (Appendix A to the report) to allow the Council to present evidence verbally at the Public Inquiry, should current issues remain unresolved, be ratified.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      to oppose the proposed ‘Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order’ to the extent as set out in the Executive report, to allow the Council to present evidence verbally at the Public Inquiry, should current issues remain unresolved; and

2.      that the Council’s Statement of Case at Appendix A to the Executive report be ratified.