Thanks for the update Sean.
Not surprising...Dispiriting, rather.
The separation of trainwash and enclosure is indeed telling and we need to be
careful not to end up with one and not the other, as this would be worse than
anything.
I'm also starting to understand their idea of an impact assessment: Do it (but
don't make it clear) and see what happens.
Well, we shall see - or hear.
Would anyone find it cathartic and comforting, if anything, to meet on Sunday
(distanced of course) and just talk to each other if we're upset? Without
letting this situation get to morale - we won't let them. Because come what
may, we're still a really great street with community spirit. I wouldn't want
to be anywhere else.
Regards
Sophie Le vendredi 10 juillet 2020 à 18:49:55 UTC+1, Info Quashthetrainwash
<info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> a écrit :
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
