Barking Riverside Extension – Factsheet H Public consultation and engagement

Introduction Transport for (TfL) is proposing a 4km extension (1.5km of new track) of the Gospel Oak to Barking line to . The service would operate from Gospel Oak along the existing route to Barking before crossing the and lines west of Barking Station. It would use the existing grade separated flyover, (currently used by freight services to access the Tilbury line from the Gospel Oak to Barking line), to serve platforms 7 and 8 at Barking station.

Eastbound services from Barking would continue for just over 2km along the Tilbury line, used by freight and by services operating between Fenchurch Street and Grays. Services would then spur to a new section of railway approximately 180m to the west of Renwick Road, before continuing east under Renwick Road Bridge and along a raised viaduct, crossing the Tilbury lines, freight terminal and Choats Road. Services would continue south, terminating at a new station at Barking Riverside.

The westbound line from Barking Riverside would run in parallel along the viaduct as far as Renwick Road. It would then continue along the track alignment of the former westbound Tilbury freight line, merging with the westbound Tilbury passenger line, approximately 500m east of Barking station.

The role of public consultation Public consultation forms part of the guidance on taking schemes through the Transport and Works Act (TWA) 1992 process. Consultation enables affected parties to contribute to the development of a project at an early stage, improving the project and avoiding unnecessary objections following submission of an application.

The winter 2015 public consultation is the third round of consultation undertaken by TfL before submitting a TWA Order application in early 2016.

2014 public consultation In autumn 2014 TfL consulted on the principle of a London Overground extension to Barking Riverside. The consultation received 715 responses, with 90 per cent of respondents replying that they supported the scheme in principle. A copy of the 2014 consultation report is available at tfl.gov.uk/barking-riverside.

In addition to establishing levels of support, the consultation enabled TfL to identify some key issues at an early stage which would need to be addressed during the planning phase of the scheme. These included:

1 • Whether an intermediate station could be included between Barking station and the proposed new station at Barking Riverside • Whether the extension could continue south of the River Thames to Thamesmead and Abbey Wood • How a four train an hour London Overground service could be accommodated by the Tilbury line, currently used by c2c trains and freight • What the implications might be for Barking Station, with additional passengers from Barking Riverside alighting or changing trains

Spring 2015 public consultation A second public consultation was undertaken in spring 2015. TfL received 600 responses, again with 90 per cent support in principle. TfL also asked for views on two route alignments. Details of the route alignments are provided in the spring 2015 consultation report, available at tfl.gov.uk/barking-riverside.

Of the respondents who expressed a route preference, nine per cent said they preferred option A, 55 per cent said they preferred option B, 28 per cent had no preference and eight per cent did not support either option.

The consultation provided TfL with an opportunity to address the issues previously raised. It also identified new issues:

• The impacts on existing residents, particularly those who do not currently have a railway next to their property • One of the alignments presented, Alignment B, allowed for passive provision of an intermediate station in the future, subject to funding and future demand. Some consultees would have preferred an intermediate station to be delivered with the BRE scheme

The answers to questions raised during the first two rounds of public consultation are published on the winter 2015 consultation website.

The feedback received during the consultation was considered alongside an assessment of the operational and environmental impacts associated with two alignment options, which concluded Alignment B as the preferred route.

Winter 2015 consultation Following the decision on a route alignment, TfL was able to identify indicative construction compound locations, potential lorry routes and propose the extent of the land required to construct and operate the extension.

TfL is now consulting on the proposed scheme before finishing the TWA Order application, prior to submitting the application in early 2016. The consultation finishes on 24 January 2016.

2 The TWAO application A TWAO application comprises a number of documents including a draft of the proposed Order, with supporting plans, an Environmental Statement ES, and a summary report of the consultation carried out.

Public inquiry Once TfL applies for the TWAO, there will be a statutory 42 day period where representations, supporting comments or objections can be submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Secretary of State is likely to require a local public inquiry into the proposals, and will appoint an independent inspector to conduct the public inquiry. Should a local public inquiry be required, TfL expects that it would take place at a point in 2016 and would be conducted over a period of several weeks.

The public inquiry procedure is explained in factsheet F – Transport and Works Act Order process.

Ongoing public engagement TfL will continue to engage with those affected by the scheme in the lead up to the TWAO submission.

Should powers be granted, TfL would continue to engage throughout the delivery of the Barking Riverside Extension. Along with the contractors, TfL would engage with local residents and businesses throughout the works to construct the railway. This could range from establishing community liaison groups, and providing newsletter updates to holding drop-in information and feedback sessions.

Further information For more information visit: tfl.gov.uk/barking-riverside or email [email protected].

To receive this document in large print, audio or another language please call 0343 222 1155

December 2015

3