Chiltern Railways Evergreen3 project

Background

Chiltern Railway's are hoping to provide a railway link from Oxford to London via Bicester. They call their project Evergreen 3 and they have a website to communicate their plans to the public here.

Part of their plan requires closing the level crossing access to the allotments, when they build an extra track along that section. Their website has a page of documents about their application under the Transport Works Act, which contains some information about their plan to close the crossing and the alternative they propose.

Making an objection

There was a survey of members in January asking whether members wish the committee to object to the closure of the crossing. The majority were in favour of objecting, therefore the committee have submitted this formal objection. We were helped to draft this by a fellow allotmenteer, Deborah Ceadel, of the law firm Darbys. Thanks Debby.

It has also been copied to two county councillors, Ian Hudspeth and Rodney Rose, the local conservative parliamentary candidate Nicola Blackwood, and the sitting MP Evan Harris. In case any members wish to make their own objection, for which the deadline is 17 February 2010, the address for objections is in this document on the Chiltern site. I have copied it here:

The Secretary of State for Transport
c/o The Transport and Works Act Orders Unit
Department for Transport
Zone 1/31
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

Email: transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk

hopefully without errors. But don't blame me.

Chiltern's proposed alternative access

One of the grounds for our objection is that Chiltern Railways have not yet been very clear about what they propose should replace our level crossing access to the allotments. About the best information that is included in their formal planning documents is this diagram . Click on it to open a bigger version in a new window.

Informally Chiltern have given us

• this description by email
• and this quite detailed diagram.

  They asked me to say ....but please bear in mind that it is only indicative, not the final form of what would be built. That would depend upon detailed design and any other issues arising during the Order promotion.

If you want to make any comments about this content, or ask any further questions, drop me a note to webmaster@trapgroundallotments.org.uk.

Jonathan Clark.