G'day all,
Unsurprisingly, GTR has responded to our request saying that they won't
stop work. In fact, they now claim that they *have* paused work on the
trainwash and enclosure (note how they always separate the two) and are
leaving the planning issue up to NetworkRail, side-stepping their own
responsibility.
The also claim that piling work has had minimal complaints so far. That
seems unlikely, but I suppose we are about to test that claim.
Until anon, Sean
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Chris Penn <chris.penn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, Jul 10, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Subject: RE: Request to suspend Cambridge rail depot sidings upgrade work
To: seanrintel@xxxxxxxxx <seanrintel@xxxxxxxxx>,
diane.rowe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <diane.rowe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
mailbox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailbox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Cllr Dave Baigent - (Cambridge City - Romsey) <
dave.baigent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Sean,
Thank you for your email.
As discussed at our public meetings, the Cambridge Depot Upgrade will
introduce many improvements for Cambridge residents. The work includes
track remodelling and new sidings, which will deliver a better train
service for the city.
Network Rail will continue to discuss Prior Approval of the carriage wash
with the Local Planning Authority based on the statement released this
week.
We have paused the construction of the carriage wash machine and enclosure.
There are however, other works that we will be progressing in the meantime,
relating to different aspects of the project, which will support our
current timetabled services. This includes the upgrade of both sidings and
construction of a connecting track and overhead wires under Mill Road
Bridge between the north and south sidings – with associated groundwork,
drainage and piling work.
With regards to piling, all work is surveyed beforehand and vibrations
monitored throughout the programme. To date, we have completed 40 piling
shifts on site in the last 18 months with minimal complaints of noise.
We have done our best to work with you and residents over the past year,
listening to concerns via emails and via 3 public meetings. Through this
engagement, we have made changes to plans where possible and we will
continue to work with you to address any issues. We will of course,
continue to update you on the proposed works as we have to date, with our
regular newsletters and will answer any questions that come through to
myself, Network Rail or Spencers.
Best regards,
Chris
*From:* Sean Rintel <seanrintel@xxxxxxxxx>
*Sent:* 09 July 2020 08:54
*To:* Chris Penn <chris.penn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
diane.rowe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; mailbox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Cc:* Cllr Dave Baigent - (Cambridge City - Romsey) <
dave.baigent@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Daniel Zeichner MP <
daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
*Subject:* Request to suspend Cambridge rail depot sidings upgrade work
Dear Chris and Diane,
I am writing on behalf of the Great Eastern Street and wider Romsey
community to request that GTR and Spencer Group voluntarily suspend work on
the Cambridge rail depot sidings upgrade.
As I am sure has been brought to your attention by NetworkRail, the
Cambridge City Council is of the opinion that this work requires Prior
Approval. Stephen Kelly, Joint Director of the Planning and Economic
Development has written the following to the community:
"The Council have now had a response from Network Rail and have had an
opportunity to consider that response further. I have accordingly emailed
Network Rail today to advise them that in the opinion of the LPA, the works
to construct the train wash building require the Prior Approval of the LPA
by virtue of Class A of Part 18 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country
Planning General Permitted Development Order."
This is especially pressing now because of the proposed "foundation" work
on July 11, 18, and 25, referred to the leaflet distributed to residents on
June 24. We have been informed by Alex Nix of the CCC (
Alex.Nix@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) that this work will involve "piling" - a term
that was not mentioned in the leaflet.
We understand that piling "is a type of deep foundation, used to transfer
the load to a deeper level than is possible with a traditional shallow
foundation. Vertical columns of concrete, steel or wood, or a combination,
are driven deep into the ground to give extra support."
NetworkRail, GTR, Greater Anglia, and Spencer Group have not provided any
evaluation of the effect of piling on foundations in Great Eastern Street.
Foundation damage is possible unless a detailed and in depth structural
analysis has been done on the surrounding area.
NetworkRail has not sought Prior Approval. As such, any work currently
undertaken is at risk of damage claims on the basis of being ruled not just
unlawful but also aggravated due to being continued in the face of, at the
very least, legal uncertainty,and at most, a known overreach of
NetworkRail's authority.
As developers and contractors, GTR and Spencer Group, have a responsibility
to both their shareholders/beneficiaries and the Cambridge community to
suspend unlawful work, including enabling work, while this issue is under
review.
GTR and Spencer Group have the opportunity to demonstrate that you are
"good neighbours", by suspending work voluntarily rather than by
enforcement. The community would consider this a show of good faith,
Given the urgency of the situation, we look forward to your response by
close of business Friday July 10.
Sincerely,
Sean Rintel, on behalf of the Great Eastern Street and wider Romsey
community
