Hi Sean
Thanks for this - Jérémie and I certainly will contribute more for this.
Thanks
Hannah
On 9 Jul 2020, at 08:59, Info Quashthetrainwash <info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
G'day all,
On the basis of our prior legal advice and the response of the CCC, I have
sent the letter below to GTR and Spencer Group this morning asking them to
voluntarily suspend work. This marks our first written request to do so. it
has taken this long because of the wait on legal responses.
Our lawyers are willing to advise us on next steps, but that advice will, of
course, cost more money - perhaps up to £1000. Are we, as a community,
willing to seek further legal advice? Please let me know your thoughts by COB
today, preferably sooner. If at least 5 people say they are willing to
contribute a further £50 - £100, I will proceed with the authorisation.
Until anon, Sean
---
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 still
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
