Council Agenda Item No. 13 Environment & Housing Date of Committee Meeting: 11 February 2021 Not Exempt Cornton Road Level Crossing Barrier Replacement

Purpose & Summary The purpose of this report is to update Committee on Network Rail’s ongoing works to upgrade the level crossing at Cornton Road, .

Recommendations The Environment & Housing Committee is asked to: 1. note the content of this report.

Resource Implications Post implementation of the new barriers, Council officers may require funds to monitor the impacts on the Council’s road network if, in the opinion of officers, this is required.

Legal & Risk Implications Network Rail, as the Rail Authority, is empowered to take these works forward under the Level Crossings Act 1983 and the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) () Order 1992, Part 11, Class 29 Class 14. As such it does not require any formal consents from Stirling Council via legislative frameworks such as Planning and Roads, in order to undertake these works. Network Rail will require three temporary closures to the crossing whilst works are ongoing. These are detailed in paragraph 2.4. Network Rail has applied to the Council for Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (“TTRO”) to progress these and these orders will be granted under officer delegated authority. There is no scope for officers to refuse the TTRO applications. Network Rail has provided the Council with technical information in regards to its barrier replacement works. As traffic volumes normalise following the eventual lifting of health protection restrictions, it is anticipated there will be impact on vehicular traffic at peak times on the road network. This will need to be monitored post implementation of the works so that full extent of the impact, if any, is understood.

1. Background 1.1. In 2016 Network Rail submitted a planning application to Stirling Council, 16/00802/FUL (Land at and south east of Cornton Railway Crossing, Cornton Road, Bridge of Allan) for the erection of a footbridge and road over rail bridge with associated new road and junction improvements. 1.2. The main driver for this proposal was the need for Network Rail to replace the existing Automatic Half Barrier level crossing (AHB). The current barrier was commissioned in the early 1980s and is effectively at the end of its lifespan and requires to be upgraded in line with current legislation and modern barrier systems. Though the proposed bridge was not viewed favourably by all sections of the community, from a network management perspective (for all travel modes) it would have provided a range of benefits. 1.3. For a variety of reasons, but principally rising costs and significant public objection, Network Rail withdrew this application. However, Network Rail were still required to upgrade the existing infrastructure, therefore in 2017 they confirmed their plan to upgrade the crossing. These plans seek to replace the existing infrastructure with a new, more secure, full barrier level crossing. 1.4. The upgrade will see state-of-the-art optical remote sensing technology introduced to further enhance safety. The sensors will scan for objects on the track, and if an object is detected, trains will not be given the signal to proceed, which provide enhanced pedestrian safety and minimise risk. The installation of an enhanced crossing will allow Network Rail to meet its safety commitments to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the rail safety regulator. 1.5. In 2019 Network Rail began discussions with the Council regarding the works to replace the existing level crossing infrastructure. At this stage Network Rail confirmed that they would be introducing a Full Barrier Controlled Crossing with Obstacle Detection (MCB-OD) system. 1.6. Once operational, this new level crossing system will reduce risk to both train passengers and road users. The main difference between the existing crossing and the planned new crossing is that the new barriers will extend fully across both sides of the roads and footways and will include an object monitoring system within the area of the barriers. 1.7. Furthermore, the barriers will be lowered for a longer time period before the trains pass. This increased down time will allow the new monitoring system to confirm the crossing is clear and not obstructed by a person or a vehicle before the train passes. 1.8. Whilst this will provide significant safety improvement over the current operation, it is anticipated that this will impact on vehicle journey times along Cornton Road and may lead to traffic using alternative routes. 1.9. Network Rail have published a website to promote the project from their perspective (https://scotlandsrailway.com/projects/cornton). Within this website users will find information regarding the project, location, FAQ’s, contact info. This is also where Network Rail intend to host information and consultation details for the project.

2. Considerations 2.1. Initially it was anticipated that the new barrier crossing would be operational from the first week in January 2021. Network Rail also confirmed at this stage that the works would be undertaken using its own Permitted Development right. Therefore Stirling Council has limited scope to formally influence the process, as would normally be the case, through application of regulatory frameworks such as planning conditions and recommendations. 2.2. Prior to lockdown, officers had discussed these proposals in depth. Network Rail has proposed it would require 6 local closures. Three of these on a Sunday from 00:00am – 05:00am. The further 3 closures each lasting a full weekend. Further to this Network Rail advised it would host a range of community engagement activities to promote the forthcoming works. 2.3. As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, these works have been delayed. The works commenced in October 2020 and Network Rail has since advised its intention to take forward the final works in 2021, with a view to the new barrier system being operational for week commencing 17 May 2021. However, it should be noted that Network Rail did not share its communication plans for the amended programme with Council officers and that officers only found out that Network Rail was promoting this with the community when a resident brought this to the attention of officers. 2.4. Council officers, at this stage, sought meetings and information from Network Rail. At this stage Network Rail shared the details of its programme with Council officers; with preparatory and enabling works being completed from October through to December. The planned final activities are noted as follows:

Date(s) Work

1 to 4 May 2021 Friday night to Tuesday morning track closure Decommissioning of old level crossing Road closure from 1 May to 10 May 8 to 10 May Saturday night to Monday morning track closure Commissioning of new level crossing. Road reopens at end of the shift Monday morning/ Weekend of 15/16 May Night shifts to commission the obstacle detection technology 2.5. Network Rail has advised that it shall continue to undertake engagement with the local community and key stakeholders and provide information on their communications plans to the Council. 2.6. A key consideration for Stirling Council is that these works, when completed, are likely to have an impact on vehicular traffic at peak times within its local road network. Presently at peak morning travel the barrier is currently down approximately for 5 minutes in the hour.

2.7. Data provided by Network Rail outlines that due to the new MCB-OD system which they will be installing and the increased frequency of trains from 8 per hour to 14 per hour means that the barrier will be down approximately 30 minutes in the hour. This is an aggregate position (i.e. the barriers will go up and down; and the barrier will be in the down position for a total of 30 minutes across the hour). 2.8. It should be noted that this 30 minutes downtime is considered to be the best case scenario. This is predicated on trains running on time, which is not a dependable variable. The suggested worst case scenario is that barriers may be down for up to 49 minutes in the hour (again, an aggregate position on the hour). 2.9. Council officers have also requested confirmation from Network Rail regarding how it engaged with Emergency Service providers and how it plans to engage and re-educate local people, particularly school children, on the impacts of the barrier. Network Rail has confirmed that it is engaging with Emergency Service providers and has committed to wider engagement with the community and schools. Further Considerations 2.10. Post implementation of the new barrier system in May, officers will monitor journey times and traffic flows over a period of time to understand the impact and consider if any potential mitigations are required on Cornton Road or other roads within the area of Cornton, Causewayhead and Bridge of Allan. Officers will also work with local communities to assess any impact of the new crossing system. 2.11. Officers have raised concerns with Network Rail that the increased disruption to pedestrian flow could encourage pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the gated pedestrian crossing closer to Cornton. Officers have asked Network Rail to monitor pedestrian flows before and after installation of the new barrier. Network Rail declined this request, stating that whilst it understood the Council’s request, it has not provided this support anywhere else in the UK when they have upgraded barrier infrastructure.

3. Implications Equalities Impact 3.1 The contents of this report were assessed under the Council’s Equality Impact Assessment process. It was determined that an Equality Impact Assessment was not required as officers are providing an update to Environment & Housing Committee on a Network Rail project, therefore it is the responsibility of Network Rail to undertake an EqIA. Fairer Scotland Duty 3.2 The contents of this report were considered in terms of the Fairer Scotland Duty and were determined not to be of strategic importance. Climate Change, Sustainability and Environmental Impact 3.3 Officers are reporting on a Network Rail project, which may lead to localised air pollution due to changes in traffic flows and increased queuing. This will be monitored post implementation

Other Policy Implications 3.4 This Network Rail project may have an impact on the Local Transport Strategy (LTS) and the Active Travel Action Plan. Consultations 3.5 Network Rail continues to commit to consultation, and has provided information on its plans to officers.

4. Background Papers 4.1. None.

5. Appendices 5.1 None.

Author(s)

Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail

Kevin Argue Team Leader, Transport [email protected] Development

David Hopper Service Manager, Public [email protected] Transport & Sustainable Development

Approved by

Name Designation Date

Drew Leslie Senior Manager, 21 January 2020 Infrastructure

Details of Convener(s), Vice Convener(s), Cllr Thomson & Cllr Gibson consulted on this report:

Wards affected: Stirling North; & Bridge of Allan

Key Priorities: E - We will create & implement environment and infrastructure improvements; deliver new ownership & delivery methods around energy generation, public transport & internet access, ensuring profits & services work to community, not commercial priorities

Key Priority Considerations: N/A

Stirling Plan Priority Outcomes: Resilient – People are part of safe and caring communities within an attractive and (Local Outcomes Improvement Plan) sustainable environment.