Councillor T Hayward to move –
(a) that the Council notes:
Network Rail (NR) has previously examined proposals for the closure of all level crossings on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from Kings Cross to Doncaster, including all those within Huntingdonshire. Following a feasibility study and formal consultations, these were considered by Cabinet in March 2015 when it was resolved that the District Council would support the project. The proposal was greeted with relief by many, particularly by the residents of the villages of Buckden and The Offords which are separated by this busy level crossing.
Following a strategic review of NR’s Investment Programme, it was confirmed that project would not proceed in totality. NR indicated that it would consider all crossings separately, trying to integrate any closures with other schemes in the area.
Following this decision, a Regional Working Group was created by NR to develop an East Coast Route Study between London and Edinburgh. This will set the strategic direction for this route and future investment priorities. It would include the new InterCity Express programme and, possibly, new long distance services to other regions passing through our District. Stuart Bell, our Transportation Officer, attends these meetings on the Council’s behalf.
This Council believes that the cancellation of the plans to close this level crossing between Buckden and The Offords (with a bridge replacement) will result in the continuance of existing delays to traffic flow on this busy route, especially when the A14 or A1 are closed.
During an average week, the crossing is used by over 20,000 vehicles, 560 cyclists and 100 pedestrians and this number is often exceeded if other roads are closed due to accidents. The approach to the level crossing is difficult from both directions. On the Offords side, there are frequent occasions when the traffic tailback reaches a considerable distance in both directions. On the Buckden side the approach to the level crossing is more hazardous. The road is narrow and one way traffic in places due to the three River Ouse crossings, dangerous corners and negligible sight lines. There is also a road safety problem for cyclists and pedestrians brave enough to use the road. This current situation is bad but could be compounded when the new A14 is completed as current proposals indicate that there will be a marginal increase in traffic movements on this crossing.
(b) that this Council calls upon the Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Planning Policy, Housing and Infrastructure to work with their fellow Members and Officers to:
v Press the National Rail Regional WG and Government to accelerate the removal of this crossing by whatever means and at the earliest opportunity, possibly in conjunction with the now approved A14 scheme, and emphasise that this would be in line with the NR suggestion that closures could be integrated with other schemes in the local area
v Press our local MP to contact the relevant Minister of State to lobby for the closure of this crossing at the earliest opportunity, possibly in conjunction with the A14 scheme
Councillor G J Bull to provide a response.
Minutes:
Councillor T Hayward moved and it was duly seconded by Councillor Mrs B E Boddington that
(a) Network Rail (NR) has previously examined proposals for the closure of all level crossings on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) from Kings Cross to Doncaster, including all those within Huntingdonshire. Following a feasibility study and formal consultations, these were considered by Cabinet in March 2015 when it was resolved that the District Council would support the project. The proposal was greeted with relief by many, particularly by the residents of the villages of Buckden and The Offords which are separated by this busy level crossing.
Following a strategic review of NR’s Investment Programme, it was confirmed that project would not proceed in totality. NR indicated that it would consider all crossings separately, trying to integrate any closures with other schemes in the area.
Following this decision, a Regional Working Group was created by NR to develop an East Coast Route Study between London and Edinburgh. This will set the strategic direction for this route and future investment priorities. It would include the new InterCity Express programme and, possibly, new long distance services to other regions passing through our District. Stuart Bell, our Transportation Officer, attends these meetings on the Council’s behalf.
This Council believes that the cancellation of the plans to close this level crossing between Buckden and The Offords (with a bridge replacement) will result in the continuance of existing delays to traffic flow on this busy route, especially when the A14 or A1 are closed.
During an average week, the crossing is used by over 20,000 vehicles, 560 cyclists and 100 pedestrians and this number is often exceeded if other roads are closed due to accidents. The approach to the level crossing is difficult from both directions. On the Offords side, there are frequent occasions when the traffic tailback reaches a considerable distance in both directions. On the Buckden side the approach to the level crossing is more hazardous. The road is narrow and one way traffic in places due to the three River Ouse crossings, dangerous corners and negligible sight lines. There is also a road safety problem for cyclists and pedestrians brave enough to use the road. This current situation is bad but could be compounded when the new A14 is completed as current proposals indicate that there will be a marginal increase in traffic movements on this crossing.
(b) Therefore, this Council calls on the Executive Leader and Executive Councillor for Planning Policy, Housing and Infrastructure to work with their fellow Members and Officers to:
· Press the National Rail Regional WG and Government to accelerate the removal of this crossing by whatever means and at the earliest opportunity, possibly in conjunction with the now approved A14 scheme, and emphasise that this would be in line with the NR suggestion that closures could be integrated with other schemes in the local area; and
· Press our local MP to contact the relevant Minister of State to lobby for the closure of this crossing at the earliest opportunity, possibly in conjunction with the A14 scheme.
Councillors M F Shellens, D B Dew, T D Alban and Mrs S J Conboy declared their support for the motion and Councillor Mrs Boddington referred to the plans as displayed obtained from NR and the growth in the surrounding villages that had exacerbated the problems in the volume of traffic using the crossing. In so doing she explained that following some lobbying of NR they had agreed to relocate the road and junction to the north.
Councillor G J Bull, Executive Councillor for Planning Policy, Housing and Infrastructure endorsed the views of the Members and outlined his support for the issue. He undertook to write to the MP for Huntingdon and MP for North West Cambridgeshire both representing villages with level crossings in the affected areas of Buckden and Holme.
Whereupon, on being put to the vote, the motion was declared to be CARRIED.
Actions:10 Minutes.