What happens next? Timeline of activity East Coast Main Line (ECML) Summer 2014 Stage 1 - first round of public consultation [COMPLETE] Autumn/Winter 2014 Stage 2 - second round of public consultation ` Summer/Autumn 2015 Stage 3 – develop options and submit Transport and Works Act Order

Spring 2016 Stage 4 – Public inquiry to be held (if called by the Secretary of State) 2017 – 2020 Construction Phase Level Crossing Closure Programme Feasibility Study TWAO submissions Newark & Sherwood – Norwell Lane, North An application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) for will be made and include the following crossings: Muskham, Lane and Church Lane

• Scrooby, School Lane and Thomsons; • Ranskill, Torworth, Barnby Moor and Botany Bay; • Grove Road, Eaton Lane, Gamston Lane and Egmanton; • Grassthorpe, Barrel, Eaves and Carlton; • Flyfish, Cromwell Lane and Cromwell; • Norwell Lane, North Muskham, Bathley Lane and Church Lane; and • Whitehouses, Barnby and Bullpit Lane.

How to respond Your comments are valued and we will consider your responses to the completed questionnaires alongside environmental, engineering design and cost considerations. We will use that information to help us design the proposed solutions that will be included in TWAO applications.

Please respond to the consultation by completing the enclosed questionnaire or completing the questionnaire online at: www.networkrail.co.uk/ecmllevelcrossings

Completed questionnaires can be returned to us at the public consultation events, or posted to us using the Freepost envelope provided. All responses must be received by Friday 13th March 2015. Further information For the latest information on the project, please visit our website www.networkrail.co.uk or email us at: [email protected]

If you require information in an alternative format or need any help understanding it, please call: 08457 11 41 41

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12 January 2015 Further Option Details In selecting the preferred option we have considered various criteria, including: Network Rail is continuing its feasibility Key benefits Construction Programme Level crossings cause major delays to trains, study to explore options to close level • We estimate that Option CH1 (Bridleway bridge) will take in the order of 6 months to construct. pedestrians and road users and are expensive to crossings on the East Coast Main Line • We estimate that Option CH2 (Highway bridge) will take in the order of 15 months to construct. maintain and renew. We have taken steps to close

(ECML) as part of our ongoing many crossings across the network and we are Severance & Impact on Third Party Land commitment to deliver a safer, more continually looking at ways to improve safety and • Third party land is required for both options however we will work with the landowners to minimise land-take reliability. Closing level crossings will help to: efficient and reliable railway. and to ensure alternative means of access are provided to retained fields wherever necessary.

• Deliver a safer, more efficient and reliable • The land required for the bridleway bridge option (CH1) is significantly less than would be required for the railway, which is vital in supporting the UK roadbridge option (CH2) and new stretch of highway connecting to the Great North Road. We are now consulting on our preferred options economy; to close crossings and provide alternative access arrangements in your area. We would • Reduce delays to trains, pedestrians and road • Option CH1 is located in the corners of two fields and has limited land severance impacts, whereas Option like to better understand how the preferred users; CH2 affects three fields, causing severance as a result of the new bridge and highway. solutions affect you and your community. • Improve safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other highway users; Environmental Impacts Having received an excellent response to our • An Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken and is currently at an early stage. The potential first round of public consultation held in June • Reduce ongoing cost of running and environmental effects of both options during construction are likely to include noise, dust and traffic, as well and July 2014, we wish to thank the residents, maintaining the railway; level crossings are as potential effects on the setting of listed buildings and a Scheduled Monument. For the highway bridge businesses and other stakeholders who took expensive to maintain and renew; option (CH2) potential environmental impacts are likely to also include temporary severance and loss of part in that process. • Improve journey time reliability. agricultural land.

The information provided through the first round This leaflet outlines proposals for crossings in the • For the bridleway bridge option (CH1) potential operational effects are likely to include changes to vehicular of consultation has been used to select a area, specifically the level traffic flows including a reduction on Church Lane as well as changes to the landscape character and visual preferred option for each crossing and develop crossings at Norwell Lane, Bathley Lane and amenity. proposals to be presented during this second Church Lane, and the public right of way crossing round of consultation. at North Muskham, between Norwell Lane and • For the highway bridge option (CH2) potential operational effects are likely to include changes to traffic flows Bathley Lane. including a significant increase on Church Lane and Lower Main Street, associated noise and emissions and also changes to the landscape character and visual amenity. Preferred options Likely Effect on Usage Norwell Lane [Ref: NOR] • Our surveys identified that up to an average of 192 motor vehicles, 40 cyclists, 27 pedestrians and one (Please state this name and reference in question 1 of the questionnaire) equestrian use the crossing per day. On average the usage equates to one vehicle per 8 minutes on weekdays and one per 6 minutes on weekends. Therefore current use of Church Lane is low. Please note that although this crossing is located on Vicarage Lane, it is referred to as Norwell Lane throughout this leaflet and within all other project documentation. • For the preferred bridleway bridge option (CH1) road vehicles will be re-routed on the existing highway network, along the Great North Road to North Muskham. The new bridleway bridge will retain connectivity We propose to close the existing ECML level crossing referred to as Norwell Lane and provide a new between North and for all non-motorised users. highway bridge to the south of the existing crossing. The preferred option will run north-west to south-east approximately 40 m to the south of the existing level crossing. A footpath will also be provided for • The impact of the preferred option will be assessed in detail within a Transport Assessment report, which is pedestrians on the northern side of the proposed bridge. being prepared for inclusion as part of the TWAO application. However it is anticipated that the addition of diverted traffic is within the current capacity of the Great North Road and A1 junction. Consideration will be given to providing measures to ensure suitable bus access to Muskham Primary School is available and to alleviate any other road safety concerns

• In Option CH2 the new highway bridge would remove existing delays for motorised vehicles and improve journey time reliability along Church Lane. The impact of removing the level crossing is that traffic flows along Church Lane are forecast to increase as some traffic will re-route from Great North Road and Nelson Lane. Consideration will be given to providing highway measures to accommodate the changes in traffic flows and alleviate any road safety concerns .The new highway bridge will retain connectivity between North and South Muskham for motorised and non-motorised users leading to increased traffic flows along Main Street.

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Photograph 1: Existing Norwell Lane level Photograph 2: Existing Norwell Lane level 2 crossing (looking west) crossing (looking east) Figure 10: Visualisation of the preferred bridleway bridge option for Church Lane (CH1) 11 Stage 1 Consultation Feedback

During Stage 1 consultation we consulted on one option to provide a new highway bridge to the south of the existing level crossing. Other options were not considered to be feasible due to the proximity of residential properties to the north side of Vicarage Lane.

The proposed highway bridge option to the south of the existing level crossing received strong support.

Existing usage (18 hour)

Figure 1: Existing usage survey information

Figure 8: Option 1 for Church Lane level crossing (CH1)

Figure 2: Preferred option for Norwell Lane level crossing

Figure 9: Option 2 for Church Lane level crossing (CH2) 3 10

Further Option Details In selecting the preferred option we have considered various criteria, including: Church Lane [Ref: CH1 or CH2] (Please state this name and the reference of your preferred Option in question 1 of the

questionnaire. CH1 for Option 1 or CH2 for Option 2. Construction Programme • We estimate that construction is likely to take in the order of 12 months. In the case of the Church Lane level crossing, two options Severance & Impact on Third Party Land are currently still being considered. • The new highway bridge will require the acquisition of farmland from private landowners on both sides of the ECML. We are consulting with the landowners, and as the design continues to develop we will In Option 1 (CH1) a bridleway bridge would be provided for endeavour to minimise land-take and consider means of providing alternative access provision to the field non-motorised users, thereby retaining connectivity to the west of the railway, in order to minimise the affect on the landholding. between North Muskham and South Muskham for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrian users. Motorised traffic Environmental Impacts would be diverted using the existing public highways along • An Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken and is currently at an early stage. During the Great North Road and Nelson Lane. Option 1 (CH1) is construction, the potential environmental effects of the preferred option are likely to include noise dust Network Rails preferred option for Church Lane. and construction traffic, loss of agricultural land, removal of existing vegetation and impacts on the setting of listed buildings. Potential operational effects include changes to traffic flows and associated noise and In Option 2 (CH2) a new highway bridge would be provided. emissions and also changes to the landscape character and visual amenity. This would retain accessibility for all users between South Photograph 5: Existing level crossing at Muskham and North Muskham, but it would require Church Lane (looking north east) Likely Effect on Usage significantly more land to be acquired, be more costly to • Users of the level crossing will be diverted onto a new highway bridge located immediately to the south of deliver, have greater environmental impacts and would lead the crossing. to an increase in traffic along Main Street.

• A detailed Transport Assessment is being prepared for inclusion within the TWAO application. The Stage 1 Consultation Feedback removal of the level crossing will improve journey times and may result in an increase in traffic flows on Vicarage Lane. It is anticipated that any increase in traffic is likely to be minor and this will be considered At Stage 1 of the consultation process we presented two variations of a roadbridge, and a third option further within the Transport Assessment. proposing the outright closure of the crossing to all users. The responses indicated support for a roadbridge from some respondents, but we also received support for the outright closure of the crossing and alternative • As the Transport Assessment is further developed we will consider the need for off-line highway suggestions were also submitted, including the provision of a footbridge or bridleway bridge to retain mitigation works should they be required. connectivity between North and South Muskham for non-motorised users. After reviewing usage of the existing crossing and analysing the cost, environmental impacts and impact on private land we concluded that a bridleway bridge, and diversion of motorised users is the most appropriate solution as it minimises environmental damage.

In selecting our preferred option we have spoken directly to the school, to local farming businesses, the Highways Agency and the emergency services as well as local residents. We are confident that the closure of the Church Lane level crossing to vehicles (as proposed under CH1) will not have a significant impact on traffic flows along Main Street and Nelson Lane, or on the safety of school children and other pedestrians. In the event of an incident on the A1, Church Lane does not provide a suitable diversion route, and the Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services have confirmed that they support our preferred option of a bridleway bridge.

Figure 3: Visualisation of Highway bridge for Norwell Lane level crossing (looking north along the railway) We received some comments during post round 1 consultation with the local residents and the Parish Council that a bridleway bridge may not be visually in keeping with the South Muskham village. Consequently we have replaced the steel ramps facing the village with a landscaping bund.

Figure 4: Visualisation of Highway bridge for Norwell Lane level crossing (looking east)

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North Muskham [Ref: NMU] (Please state the crossing name and reference in question 1 of the questionnaire)

We propose to close the existing footpath crossing known as North Muskham and to re- route users along a newly created footpath running alongside and to the west of the ECML, providing a direct link between Vicarage Lane and Bathley Lane.

Access across the railway at the level crossing would be prevented with the provision of new fencing which ties into the existing fencing at this location. However, users could use the proposed Norwell Lane (Vicarage Lane) road bridge to the north to cross the railway.

Photograph 3: Existing level crossing at North Muskham

Stage 1 Consultation Feedback Figure 7: Preferred option for Bathley Lane level crossing We initially received limited feedback in relation to the options for this level crossing. However, more Further Option Details recently we have received responses from local Parish Councils and the Rail Cross Group, explaining that In selecting the preferred option we have considered various criteria, including: the retention of connectivity between North Muskham and Bathley is important to residents, and the retention of circular walking routes is also desirable. We have also spoken with user groups including the Construction Programme Ramblers Association, the British Horse Society and groups representing the interests of cyclists. • We estimate that construction is likely to take in the order of 6 months. As a result of the feedback provided during recent weeks we have developed the options that were Severance & Impact on Third Party Land proposed during the Stage 1 consultation process to provide new rights of way which will retain links • Third party land is required however we will work with the landowner to minimise land-take and between North Muskham and Bathley, and improve upon the existing circular walking routes. The mitigate any adverse affects on the remainder of his landholding. additional footpaths that we are proposing in this area will have a positive impact on connectivity between Bathley and North Muskham, with improved journey time reliability for all non-motorised users as there will Environmental Impacts be no delays at level crossings. • An Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken and is currently at an early stage. During construction, the potential environmental effects of the preferred option are likely to include noise, dust and construction traffic, loss of agricultural land and effects on possible buried archaeology and also a local wildlife site. Potential operational effects are likely to include changes to traffic flows and associated noise and air emissions and also changes to the landscape character and visual amenity.

Likely Effect on Usage • Vehicular users of the level crossing will be diverted along a new stretch of highway connecting Bathley Lane and the B6325 Great North Road. The road will form a new give-way junction on Great North Road to the south of the existing ECML road bridge. Pedestrians may also use a new footpath alongside the railway leading to steps up to a new crossing of the Great North Road.

• A detailed Transport Assessment is being prepared for inclusion within the TWAO application. The removal of the level crossing will improve journey time reliability between Bathley Lane and may result in an increase in traffic flows as vehicles divert away from alternative routes such as Crow Lane. The change in road alignment may, however, cause some other users to divert to alternative routes. Consideration is also being given to road safety measures along Great North Road and this 8 will be considered further within the Transport Assessment. 5

Bathley Lane [Ref: BAT] (Please state the crossing name and reference in question 1 of the questionnaire)

We propose to close the existing ECML level crossing and to divert users along a new stretch of highway between Bathley Lane and the Great North Road. The new stretch of highway will run along the western edge of the field immediately to the south-west of the existing level crossing. A new junction will be required to connect the new stretch of highway to the Great North Road, close to where the taxi access road joins the Great North Road.

Additionally, a new footpath will be created alongside the western boundary of the railway, running south from Bathley Lane to allow pedestrians to join the Great North Road south of the existing road bridge, thereby reducing the length of the diversion for pedestrians travelling between North Muskham and Bathley.

Stage 1 Consultation Feedback

During the Stage 1 consultation process we consulted on two options for providing highway connectivity between Bathley Lane and the Great North Road.

Based on the low number of pedestrian and other non-motorised users we do not consider a footbridge or bridleway bridge to be proportionate at this location. We have developed the preferred Figure 5: Preferred option for North Muskham level crossing option to include a pedestrian link from Bathley Lane alongside the railway to the Great North Road, reducing the length of the diversion for Further Option Details Photograph 4: Existing level crossing at Bathley In selecting the preferred option we have considered various criteria, including: Lane pedestrians between Bathley and North Muskham.

Construction Programme • We estimate that construction is likely to take in the order of 2 months for the North Muskham Of the options that we put forward during the Stage 1 consultation process, a greater level of support was works, which includes new footpaths, removal of equipment and closure of the crossing. The associated Norwell Lane works will take around 12 months. received for a new road running along the western edge of the field to the south-western side of the existing level crossing, rather than a road running along the eastern edge of that field. This option was Severance & Impact on Third Party Land also supported by the landowner. • A relatively small area of third party land will be required, however footpaths will be routed along field boundaries and within Network Rail’s boundary wherever possible, to minimise impact.

Environmental Impacts • An Environmental Impact Assessment is being undertaken and is currently at an early stage. During construction, the potential environmental effects of the preferred option are likely to include loss of agricultural land, removal of vegetation and construction noise, dust and traffic. Potential operational effects are likely to include changes to the amenity of the Public Rights of Way.

Likely Effect on Usage • Users will be re-routed along a new footpath running alongside and to the west of the ECML and another connecting to Vicarage Lane to the north.

Figure 6: Visualisation of new highway for Bathley Lane (looking north)

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