Network Rail looks set to face objections over the part of its proposed £11bn Transpennine rail route upgrade in the north.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will on Tuesday consider authorising a leading councillor and an officer to lodge objections amid concerns replacing level crossings with bridges near Church Fenton, between York and Leeds, could land the council with an ongoing financial headache.
The concerns have surfaced three weeks after Network Rail published some of its plans for the long-term railway infrastructure programme, which it hopes will improve connectivity and economic growth in the North, delivering “real benefits for passengers and communities along this pivotal rail artery”.
As part of the modernisation Network Rail is looking to remove three level crossings near Church Fenton, where trains from Leeds join the East Coast Main Line towards York, and replace these with a new road, bridge and parking and to provide access to the houses in Rose Lane.
The existing Rose Lane footbridge would also be removed and replaced with a new footbridge to accommodate a 25,000-Volt electric line.
As promoters of schemes of this kind often need a range of powers to put their projects into practice, Network Rail is seeking a Transport Works Acts Order from the government.
The county council says despite regular meetings about the proposals over some 18 months a large range of significant issues remain “unresolved”.
An officer’s report to the executive states:
“The council considers that there are areas which require further discussion with officers to achieve a satisfactory resolution which is acceptable to the council.
“Areas which remain of concern to the council include (but are not limited to) highway issues, construction standards, landscaping, drainage and flood risk, impact on public rights of way as well as future maintenance of new structures and landscaping.”
Officers said one of the most pressing concerns was over the council having to take on responsibility for maintenance of a new road and bridge in which it has limited input regarding design and construction.
The report states while discussions with Network Rail will continue throughout August in the hope of resolving as many issues as possible, it is unlikely all issues will be resolved in time for the deadline.
Officers are recommending to protect the council’s position it is likely that there will be a need to make formal objections to Network Rail’s proposal, which could trigger a public inquiry, which could cost the council £50,000.
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