RTLZ-LUJH-KXHU Licence Number Business Reply

Consent for the Project Next Steps In order to secure the necessary permissions to close the level crossing at Abbots Ripton we will be submitting an application Responding to the Public Consultation to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works In order for your views to be considered please complete the response Act Order. This type of application is commonly used for railway form enclosed in this leaflet, and post it using the freepost addressed

W2 6JX LONDON 167-169 Westbourne Terrace Network Rail Abbots Ripton Level Crossing Consultation projects of this type and would grant permissions to extinguish, envelope also enclosed. Alternatively you can respond online from 14 Abbots Ripton Level divert and create public rights of way. We are planning to submit September 2016 using the response form on our website at: our application in December 2016 and, subject to consent, the www.networkrail.co.uk/huntingdon-woodwalton. closure is expected to be completed in summer 2018. Crossing Closure and The feedback period is open from 14 September – 12 October 2016. Please ensure your response is returned to us by the closing date so we Key Dates and How to Stay Involved have adequate time to consider your comments. Diversion Key dates and your opportunity to stay involved as the Transport To speak to the project team and to provide your feedback on the level and Works Act Order application progresses are outlined below. crossing closure and diversion, please come to our drop-in session on: September 2016 Monday 19 September 2016 - Abbots Ripton Village Hall, , PE28 2PF - 3-6pm We are 14 September - 12 October 2016 here Final stage of pre-application public consultation Your opportunity to have your say If you would like to contact the Project Team you can do so using the contact details below: Email: [email protected] December 2016 Post: Contact & Communities, 4B George Stephenson House, Submit Transport and Works Act Order application to the Secretary Toft Green, York, YO1 6JT of State for Transport Phone our 24-hour National Helpline: 03457 11 41 41. Notification that the application has been submitted will be issued to specific stakeholders and to the general public through a press release and on our website. The full application will be made available online We look forward to hearing from you. and in specific local locations.

ATTTTAFDFDAAAFDDFFDAAADTATDDDFTTDTFF Spring 2018 Secretary of State decision

Summer 2018 Establishment of bridleway diversion and closure of Abbots Ripton level crossing (subject to consent) Your comments Better Journeys Our Plans We would be grateful if you would take the time to provide us with your views Previous Consultation Background The Proposal on the closure of Abbots Ripton Level Crossing and the proposed diversion We are proposing to permanently close In June 2014, as part of the ECML Level route. Once you have completed the response form please post it back to us. The Secretary of State for Transport has recognised the Crossing Closure Feasibility Study we Alternatively you can respond online using the response form on our website importance of improving capacity and reducing journey times the existing level crossing at Abbots consulted on two options for the closure of which will be live from 14 September 2016. on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). As part of our Railway Ripton and divert the bridleway. The proposed diversion route crosses a field Abbots Ripton level crossing and provision Upgrade Plan we are investing in the ECML to accommodate of alternative access. A preferred option Please ensure your response is returned to us by 12 October 2016. more passengers and improve train performance and reliability. off Rectory Way by way of a grassed track and then on existing hard surfaced roads. was derived from a combination of the Your name As part of this programme we are working on a scheme to We are proposing to divert the bridleway two options and was subject to a further reinstate the fourth track on the east side of the railway across private land and beneath an round of consultation in November 2014. between Huntingdon station and Woodwalton. This scheme is existing underbridge around 400m south Proposals for the closure of the level Postcode a vital aspect of our plans and will remove a critical bottleneck of the existing level crossing. This is high crossing were also included in our four between London and the north. enough to accommodate horse riders. tracking scheme public consultation events Email address in July 2016. Phase 1 of the scheme (and the focus of this document) is the The diversion would require only minor 1. Do you support the closure of Abbots Ripton level crossing? permanent closure of Abbots Ripton level crossing in advance works such as the erection of bridleway The diversion options have also been considered by the landowner, of the four tracking work (Phase 2 of the scheme). Network Rail signage, lineside fences to close the Strongly agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree is committed to reducing risk at level crossings. Reinstating the crossing over the railway, and possibly County Council, fourth track would mean that users would face increased risk other short lengths of fencing. District Council, the from the greater number of trains running and they would have Environment Agency, Local Access Forum, 2. Do you support the proposed diversion route? to cross four lines instead of the current three. Closure of the An environmental appraisal (including British Horse Society and the National ecological factors) of the proposed level crossing in advance of the four tracking works is essential Farmers Union. The closure was formally Strongly agree Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree as it will remove all safety risk associated with the public diversion has been undertaken supported by Huntingdonshire District crossing the railway. and established that no significant Council in March 2015. environmental impacts are predicted 3. Do you have any comments about the project to close Abbots Ripton level as a result of the bridleway diversion. crossing? This is your opportunity to comment on the proposed closure Pedestrian, cycle and equestrian access of the level crossing and the proposed diversion. will be maintained during construction.

Please ensure that your response reaches us by 12 October View 1 - proposed new bridleway route View 2 - proposed new bridleway route 2016 so we have adequate time to consider your comments. Information you have provided will be used solely in connection with the Abbots Ripton level crossing closure and diversion and the Huntingdon to Woodwalton Four Tracking scheme and will not be passed to any third parties. Please note that it will not be possible to provide individual feedback on your comments. We will need to collect certain personal data in order to contact you with any follow up questions concerning your responses below. Any personal data will be kept securely and treated in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. In the meantime, if you would like to contact the project team you can do so using the following methods: Email: [email protected] Writing: Contact & Communities, 4B George Stephenson House, Toft Green, York, YO1 6JT Phone: 03457 11 41 41