Portishead Branch Line (Metrowest Phase 1)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Portishead Branch Line (Metrowest Phase 1) Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Planning Inspectorate Reference: TR040011 Applicant: North Somerset District Council 9.4 ExA.RR.D1.V2 - Comments on Relevant Representations Author: North Somerset District Council Version: 2 Date: November 2020 DOCUMENT CONTROL DOCUMENT PROPERTIES Author SP, NSDC Title PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT POLICY OFFICER (NORTH SOMERSET DISTRICT COUNCIL, METROWEST PHASE 1 PROJECT TEAM) Document 9.4 ExA.RR.D1.V2 Reference VERSION HISTORY Date Version Status Description/changes 20/09/2020 1 DRAFT SP, NSDC initial draft 02/11/2020 2 FINAL Final 2 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the document.......................................................................................................... 2 Structure of the document ........................................................................................................ 2 2. THE APPLICANT’S RESPONSE TO RELEVANT REPRESENTATIONS ............................... 3 Table 1 - The Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations ............................................ 3 Table 2 – The Applicant’s Response to Additional Submissions ...........................................326 Appendix A – Response to Portishead Town Council Appendix B – Response to Pill and Easton-In-Gordano Parish Council Appendix C – Response to Barry Cash Appendix D – Response to Freightliner Appendix E – Response to Bristol Port Company Appendix F – Response to Mrs Freestone Appendix G - WECA Report on "Extending Electrification Study" 2015 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of this document 1.1.1 This document has been prepared by North Somerset District Council (the Applicant) for submission to the Examining Authority (ExA) under Deadline 1 of the Examination of the Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) Development Consent Order (DCO) application. The document provides the Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations submitted to the ExA by Interested Parties. 1.2 Structure of the document 1.2.1 In total, 129 Relevant Representations were submitted to the ExA by the stated deadline for responses. An additional 6 Relevant Representations were accepted at the discretion of the ExA after this deadline had passed. In total, therefore, 135 Relevant Representations have been received and considered by the Applicant. 1.2.2 The applicant has reviewed all of the relevant representation received and considered their content. 1.2.3 Tables 1 and 2 provide: (a) the Planning Inspectorate reference number for each Relevant Representation received; (b) the name of the individual, party or organisation which made the representation (the Interested Party); (c) the representation itself; and (d) the Applicant’s response or comment on the content of the Relevant Representation. 1.2.4 In some instances, the Applicant has provided a response to a Relevant Representation directly to the Interested Party prior to submission of this document. This has occurred through ongoing engagement and correspondence with such parties. In such cases, a copy of this correspondence is provided in an Appendix to this document. 1.2.5 Similarly, the Applicant’s continued discussion and engagement with parties has in some cases resulted in a substantial change in the position between the Interested Party and the Applicant since the submission of the Relevant Representation. This has been captured in a ‘Statement of Common Ground' (SoCG). A progress update on SoCGs is to be submitted to the ExA on or before 2 October 2020 and copies of the latest drafts will be submitted directly to the ExA prior to Deadline 1. Where this has occurred, reference is made to the relevant submission and document reference number on the Planning Inspectorate website. 2 2. THE APPLICANT'S RESPONSE TO RELEVANT REPRESENTATIONS Table 1 - The Applicant’s response to Relevant Representations PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref 1-1 North Somerset The Council fully supports the proposal to re-open Various All matters raised in this Relevant Council the rail line between Portishead and Bristol and Representation are dealt with in a Statement believes it will reduce traffic movements with of Common Ground with North Somerset attendant carbon reduction and air quality benefits Council (Document Reference 9.3.1 and reduction of congestion on the network including ExA.SoCG-NSC.D1.V1) that is envisaged will the M5 and A369 and increase the resilience of the be submitted to the ExA prior to Deadline 1. sub-regional transport network. It considers there are potentially significant economic benefits to the region, improving accessibility to the Temple Quarter growth hub in Bristol and providing access to job opportunities in this location. The Council, which has declared a Climate Emergency, will also wish to make representations concerning matters including: The Planning statement gives a thorough overview of the issues that arise from the proposal. We are the Unitary authority for the area through which most of the line passes through. North Somerset Council has responsibility for Local Planning policies and making decisions on planning applications. We are currently preparing a new Local Plan for the period up to 2036. We therefore have considerable knowledge of committed development within the locality and its relationship with the proposed rail line. We also have a responsibility for Highways and Transport including roads, travel and parking. Our role extends to being Lead Flood and Public Health Authority, provider of social care, children, young people and families’ services and education 3 PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref authority. We also have an important role in community safety, crime prevention and emergency management. The Council is a Waste Management Authority. We have partnerships with other bodies in the area including the Avon Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and Ambulance service, the Police, WECA and work closely with neighbouring authorities, Town and Parish Councils and other organisations such as the Environment Agency, and North Somerset Levels Internal Drainage Board to deliver services to our communities. Consequently, we will have interests in matters including traffic generation, highways, parking, accessibility for all groups, equal opportunities, living conditions of our residents, quality of design and landscape, the historic environment, air quality, biodiversity and ecology(there are several national and international designations), flood risk and drainage, contamination, materials and waste, noise and vibration. These include construction and operational phases. Importantly much of the area through which the line passes is Green Belt. Key locations include proposed stations, road re- alignment, and the Avon Gorge. Our Local Impact Report will detail these matters. We will continue to work with the applicant over these matters and a Statement of Common Ground. In addition, we have a vision for our four main towns and are committed to delivering economic regeneration in Portishead. Together with our close neighbour Bristol City Council we are aware of interests immediately outside our administrative boundaries such as the 4 PINS Ref Organisation Relevant Representation Key Applicant's Response to Relevant No. with /Person Issues Representation issue ref Conservation Areas and designations of national significance such as the Avon Gorge that straddle the boundary. As a Local Authority we have a responsibility to use our resources wisely and in a financially prudent way and the arrangements for discharge of Requirements and other procedural matters that form part of the Development Consent Order will be of significance to the Council. 2-1 Portishead 1. Areas of agreement 1.1. We support the plan to Support for The Applicant’s response to all matters raised Town Council re-open the railway to improve the connectivity of the scheme in this Relevant Representation is detailed in Portishead and the associated economic, correspondence with Portishead Town environmental and accessibility benefits that it will Council, which is provided at Appendix A of provide. 1.2. We agree with the diversion and this document. The detailed response from widening of Quays Avenue to link with Harbour Road the Applicant has been discussed with to the West of the existing roundabout intersection Portishead Town Council and the parties will with Harbour Road and Phoenix Way. 1.3. continue to work together. Portishead has gone through massive change in the past ten years, it is one of the fastest growing towns in the UK and is lacking the infrastructure to support its population increase. Space for infrastructure and commercial development to support the population is now constrained and so it is important that the potential amenity land around the station is used efficiently and supports wider regeneration. 2-2 1.4. Against this background we agree with the Portishead location of the railway station (Work No.5) as this will rail station foster economic development of the area to the East design & of Quays Avenue and South of Harbour Road, facilities including the existing Portishead and Gordano Gate Business parks. It may be envisaged that the station will encourage further business, retail and residential regeneration of this
Recommended publications
  • Saltford Parish Council
    SALTFORD PARISH COUNCIL Saltford Library, 478a Bath Road, Saltford, Bristol BS31 3DJ 01225 873300 [email protected] www.saltfordparishcouncil.gov.uk 19 November 2018 THE RE-OPENING OF SALTFORD RAILWAY STATION Saltford Parish Council wishes it to be known by all relevant bodies that the re-opening of Saltford railway station as part of the Metro West rail project remains a high priority for this Council. The ‘Saltford Station: Feasibility Study’ dated October 2014 prepared by CH2MHill was very encouraging. Option 1, re-opening a station on the existing large (historic) site, was estimated to cost £4 million under scenario A, have a benefit-cost ratio of 2:1, and a net “new” fare revenue forecast of £770,000 per annum based on two trains per hour. This does not include a further revenue stream from parking charges. Patronage was estimated at some 200,000 users/annum. Saltford Parish Council is aware that the availability of parking at or near the existing site has been misreported by some, possibly in order to undermine the case for the station. Demand for car-park spaces is predicted at 159 in 2021 rising to 236 in 2043. There are 144 car-park spaces available on the existing site (Ref. Study - Annex Diagram). This could be considerably increased with a two-storey layout. Furthermore, there is an identified site within 400m of the station which could provide an additional 175 spaces and “thus has the potential to cater for an increased demand for parking at the station” (Ref. Feasibility Report 6.3). Local knowledge suggests that there are further potential sites for car-parking in this vicinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix F CAPABILITY MODELLING
    Ref: 139797 Version: 1.1 Date: June 2015 Appendix F CAPABILITY MODELLING Governance of Railway Investment Projects Ref: 139797 Version: 1.1 Date: June 2015 This page left deliberately blank Governance of Railway Investment Projects Group Strategy - Capability Analysis MetroWest Phase 2 Report Rhys Bowen Group Strategy – Capability Analysis MetroWest Phase 2 Report Document Control Scheme Name MetroWest Phase 2 Report Document Ref. No. Document V:\SAP-Project\CA000000 - MetroWest RSV8 TH\004 Report\Phase Two Location Version No. 1.0 Status Final Author Rhys Bowen Version Date 15/12/2014 Security Level Unrestricted Authorisation Control Lee Mowle Signature Date Project Manager –Capability Analysis (Document Owner) Alistair Rice Signature Date Major Schemes Project Manager - South Gloucester council Andrew Holley Signature Date Senior development Manager - Network Rail Group Strategy – Capability Analysis MetroWest Phase 2 Report DOCUMENT CONTROL & ADMINISTRATION Change Record Version Date Author(s) Comments 0.1 12/09/14 Rhys Bowen First Draft 0.2 17/09/14 Rhys Bowen Amended after diagrams added 0.3 18/09/14 Rhys Bowen Amended after review 0.4 23/09/14 Rhys Bowen Amended after review 0.5 26/09/14 Rhys Bowen Draft for external review 0.6 04/11/14 Rhys Bowen Final draft for internal review 0.7 07/11/14 Rhys Bowen Final draft for external review 0.8 28/11/14 Toby Hetherington Minor amendments to final draft. Further minor amendments and report 1.0 15/12/14 Toby Hetherington finalised. Reviewers Version Date Reviewer(s) Review Notes Structure
    [Show full text]
  • The Case for Reopening Saltford Railway Station
    The case for re-opening Saltford Railway Station The development of a Greater Bristol Metro rail service and the electrification and re- signalling of the GW mainline that passes through Saltford offer an opportunity for Saltford station to be re-opened. Cost The station site as it is today Latest cost estimates are around £5.5 million for a two platform design. With the line, signalling, pedestrian bridge and “station footprint” in place, a basic station can be re-instated at modest cost. Business case A re-opened commuter station would serve 4,200 residents in Saltford, over 1,000 residents in the villages of Corston and Newton St. Loe (Duchy of Cornwall), and 4,600 students and staff on-site daily at Bath Spa University’s Newton Park Campus which is only 1 ½ miles from Saltford station. Residential places at the campus are set to increase from 400 to 900. 29,000 vehicles pass Saltford Station daily each weekday on the A4; some of this traffic would be able to park and use the railway service. The GW mainline Route Utilisation Strategy (2010) envisages an hourly shuttle train service from Bath Spa to Bristol Temple Meads. This service should serve a re-opened Saltford station. It would be a missed opportunity in the new in which over 400 said that they would be regular franchise if this commuter shuttle was able to users of a Saltford station. stop at all the existing stations but pass through The proximity of the Bath Spa University Saltford because it did not have a station.
    [Show full text]
  • M4 Junction 18A Link Study – Combined Modelled and Appraisal Report
    M4 Junction 18a Link Study – Combined Modelled and Appraisal Report Prepared for South Gloucestershire Council and Highways England March 2018 Draft 1 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6DG Draft Document history M4 Junction 18a Link Study Combined Modelling and Appraisal Report This document has been issued and amended as follows: Version Date Description Created by Verified by Approved by 001 01.03.18 Working Draft JB HS HS Draft Contents Section Page Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1‐1 1.1 Purpose of this Report ............................................................................................... 1‐1 1.2 Scheme Objectives ..................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.3 Scheme Description ................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.4 Previous Studies ......................................................................................................... 1‐3 Local Transport Situation ............................................................................................................ 2‐3 2.1 Existing Local Transport System ................................................................................ 2‐3 2.2 Key Travel Demands .................................................................................................. 2‐5 2.3 Transport Problems and Factors ...............................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • CP6 Delivery Plan Update – Wales & Western
    Wales & Mark Langman, managing director, Western Wales & Western In 2019, as part of the Putting Passengers First programme we established Wales & Western, bringing together Wales & Borders route, Western route and Western and Wales Infrastructure Projects. Our aim is to deliver a safe, reliable and punctual railway for the passengers, communities and businesses we serve across Wales, the Thames Valley and the west. The new accountabilities and decision-making authorities we have will help us be more responsive to the needs of our train operators, stakeholders and passengers. The introduction of a new, enhanced timetable in step change in connectivity for passengers in and out of December 2019 realised the benefits of 10 years key cities. investment to modernise and electrify the Great Western Alongside this, we continue our relentless drive to improve Main Line from Paddington to Cardiff, Newbury and performance through a combination of robust renewals Chippenham. In January 2020, this culminated in the plans to improve safety, reliability and reduce delays and completion of electrification to Cardiff, enabling electric through improved rapid incident response, efficient trains to operate in South Wales for the first time. track access planning and better traffic management of Improved infrastructure, electric trains and better signalling the network. enable us to timetable more trains on the Wales Western We are determined to improve passengers’ experience, network and allows Great Western Railway (GWR) to particularly those who need help when travelling. We have offer new high-speed peak services for customers in South tripled the team at London Paddington who are able to Wales, the South West and from Bristol to London.
    [Show full text]
  • North Somerset
    Portishead Branch Line (MetroWest Phase 1) TR040011 Applicant: North Somerset District Council 6.6, Environmental Statement, Volume 2, Chapter 3 Scheme Development and Alternatives Considered The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009, regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Act 2008 Author: CH2M Date: November 2019 Notice © Copyright 2019 CH2M HILL United Kingdom. The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of CH2M HILL United Kingdom, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jacobs. Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of Jacobs constitutes an infringement of copyright. Limitation: This document has been prepared on behalf of, and for the exclusive use of Jacobs’ client, and is subject to, and issued in accordance with, the provisions of the contract between Jacobs and the client. Jacobs accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for, or in respect of, any use of, or reliance upon, this document by any third party. Where any data supplied by the client or from other sources have been used, it has been assumed that the information is correct. No responsibility can be accepted by Jacobs for inaccuracies in the data supplied by any other party. The conclusions and recommendations in this report are based on the assumption that all relevant information has been supplied by those bodies from whom it was requested. Where field investigations have been carried out, these have been restricted to a level of detail required to achieve the stated objectives of the work. This work has been undertaken in accordance with the quality management system of Jacobs.
    [Show full text]
  • An Uphill Struggle for the Right to Travel by Train
    AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR RAIL USERS No 154 £2 December 2017 An uphill struggle for the right to travel Picture: Paul Tattam by train SEE PAGE 2 PAGE ONE PICTURE: Chinley (and many other stations) deserve better access Our page one picture shows red- The sun should be setting on diesels up there too. The £70 million coated MP Ruth George surrounded national initiative for full accessi- By Chris Austin by people on the footbridge steps of bility on the railways launched in [email protected] Chinley station in October. 2016 by Transport Minister Alex- Since the shock announcement The High Peak MP promised to ander Dobrindt started, interest- from Transport Secretary Chris deliver an 800-signature petition ingly, with smaller stations with Grayling in July which brought to the Department for Transport, Picture: Paul Tattam less than one 1,000 entries/exits to a close the ambitious electri- calling for better access to the per day. Additionally the Ger- fication programme supported station. man “Northern Powerhouse” of previously by industry and Gov- Lifts and ramps can be life- Nordrhein-Westfalen has its own ernment, Railfuture has been Picture: NETWORK RAIL transforming for people with £900 million programme for the working to understand the issues disabilities but they help virtually modernisation of 150 of its 697 and what is best for the passen- everyone else, especially those with stations between 2017 and 2023, ger, the freight customer and the prams, luggage and bicycles too. by which date 80% of its stations railway which serves them. And Chinley is typical of many other will have step-free access (cur- None of us believes that the pres- stations throughout Britain where rently 73%).
    [Show full text]
  • Metrowest Phase 2 Gloucestershire Extension Study
    FINAL REPORT MetroWest Phase 2 Gloucestershire Extension Study Prepared for Gloucestershire County Council South Gloucestershire Council December 2016 1 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6DG Contents Section Page Document History ........................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... vii Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1‐1 1.1 MetroWest Phase 2 ................................................................................................... 1‐1 1.2 Gloucestershire Rail Study ......................................................................................... 1‐2 1.3 Gloucestershire extension study ............................................................................... 1‐2 1.4 This Report ................................................................................................................. 1‐3 Approach .................................................................................................................................... 2‐1 2.1 Building on the PBC .................................................................................................... 2‐1 2.1.1 Information taken directly from MetroWest Phase 2 PBC ........................... 2‐1 2.1.2 Information augmented and/or adapted from
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Million Pound Investment for Rail Across the West of England Gets the Green Light
    Multi-million pound investment for rail across the West of England gets the green light June 19, 2019 Better connections and more frequent rail services are coming down the tracks after the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) approved a further £3.5m investment in the MetroWest project. The funding was approved by WECA on 14 June to support the next stage in the project, which aims to deliver additional infrastructure and train operations by the end of 2021 to provide: A half hourly service for Yate local station on the Bristol Parkway to Gloucester line, through the provision of an additional service between Bristol Parkway and Yate An hourly service for a reopened Henbury Line with new stations at Henbury and North Filton. A new station will also be constructed at Ashley Down, on the existing Filton Bank (between Filton Abbey Wood and Stapleton Road). The WECA Committee has also agreed to take forward ambitions for a brand-new rail station serving Charfield and the surrounding towns and villages, with a further investment of £900,000 to develop the full business case. West of England Mayor, Tim Bowles, said: “Rail is a key part of my ambition to improve public transport in the region, giving people more sustainable ways to travel. “This includes improving the Severn Beach line to provide direct services to Bath and Westbury, re- opening Henbury station and more frequent services to Yate. We also have plans to open new train stations in Portishead, Henbury, Portway and Charfield. “Improved and more frequent rail services will give people better access to jobs, link new homes and communities with employment areas and encourage more people to use public transport.
    [Show full text]
  • Campaigning for a Bigger, Better Railway No 162 £3 December 2019 Pictures: INTERCITY RAILFREIGHT Pictures: INTERCITY
    Published by RAILFUTURE – campaigning for a bigger, better railway No 162 £3 December 2019 Pictures: INTERCITY RAILFREIGHT Pictures: INTERCITY Inter-city trains and bikes How rail freight can help combat the climate emergency: See page 2 RAILFUTURE CAMPAIGNER OF THE YEAR 2020 Railwatch contents HS2 must be just the start of a rail future CLIMATE Further to the inaugural recognition we would like 2 Chris Page award at Railfuture’s to hear about them. We will By Graham Nalty annual general meeting require a written statement 3 High speed rail in Cardiff in 2019, of no more than 500 4 East Anglia and East Midlands High Speed Two must be EMERGENCY and in recognition of words identifying how the given the go-ahead because the page one picture the dedication and nominee has contributed to 5 Pennine fast track benefits of faster north-south rail achievements of Railfuture Railfuture’s mission to be links and additional capacity 6 North East Rover Picture: XINHUA volunteers, we will be the number one advocate outweigh the increase in costs to Our front page pictures from presenting the award for for rail users and the rail 7 Investment stasis £88 billion. Campaigner of the Year at industry, and how they 8 Your views The verdict came from the intercity railfreighT show the annual general meeting have enhanced Railfuture’s Oakervee report which was a cycle courier in Oxford in Birmingham on Saturday campaigning for a bigger, 10 Severnside and Wessex leaked in November in the face bringing a pathology 27 June 2020. better railway.
    [Show full text]
  • Henbury Rail Station Location Consultation
    F I N A L REPORT HENBURY RAIL STATION LOCATION CONSULTATION Prepared for MetroWest Phase 2 May 2016 CH2M Burderop Park Swindon Wilts SN4 0QD Contents Section Page Executive Summary i 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. MetroWest Phase 2 ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Henbury Station Site Options ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Consultation area .......................................................................................................... 2 2. Communications and publicity ......................................................................................... 3 2.1 Communications management ..................................................................................... 3 2.1.1 Stakeholders .................................................................................................... 3 2.1.2 Press ................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 Consultation methods and materials............................................................................ 3 3 Consultation Responses ................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Questionnaire Responses ............................................................................................. 5
    [Show full text]
  • The Great British Transport Competition 2 Foreword
    THE GREAT BRITISH TRANSPORT COMPETITION 2 FOREWORD The case for scrapping High Speed 2 (HS2) gets stronger by the day. Increasingly, people from across the political spectrum are waking up to the fundamental issues which have plagued this project. Whether it be the spiralling costs, environmental damage, consistent mismanagement or overwhelming unpopularity of the project, the tide is turning against HS2. With the latest evidence suggesting that costs could almost double, taxpayers are demanding more for their money. Even on current estimates, scrapping HS2 would free up at least £50 billion to improve transport links up and down the country. But were this to happen, what should replace it? With this question in mind, we joined the TaxPayers’ Alliance in launching The Great British Transport Competition in September 2018, to find popular alternatives to HS2. We asked all interested parties from across the United Kingdom to submit ideas for transport infrastructure projects. As the judges for this competition - including qualified surveyors, engineers, accountants, politicians and transport industry experts - we have been lucky to receive and assess so many fantastic entries from all around the country. The judging process began in early January and was concluded by early March. After many hours of detailed deliberation and discussion, 28 winning entries were chosen and the sum total of their construction costs came to £45.1 billion. We were incredibly impressed by the high standard and variety of the entries we received. What particularly stood out was that many of the entries required only relatively small sums of money to achieve vast benefits for local communities.
    [Show full text]