Tree felling by Network Rail in Oxford halted by the local sheriff

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Oxford Mail:

Compromise reached over rail line tree felling

Tree clearance work on an out-of-use section of railway trackbed between Oxford and Wolvercote has resumed after a compromise was agreed between Network Rail and Oxford City Council.

Tree surgeons working for the rail infrastructure company are now clearing low-hanging branches and shrubs to allow surveyors access to the trackbed of a former goods train loop line which runs along the eastern edge of Port Meadow and Wolvercote Common, from Aristotle Lane to the junction for the Cotswold Line to Worcester.

Tree felling work alongside Wolvercote Common was halted last month by the council^s trees officer Kevin Caldicott after the Sheriff of Oxford, Jean Fooks, complained that it could affect nesting birds.

Network Rail wants to carry out a detailed survey to assess what work will be needed to get the overgrown trackbed back into shape to carry a railway line again as part of its plans to increase capacity through Oxford.

If it was reinstated, trains from Oxford towards Banbury and the Cotswold Line would be able to run in parallel to Wolvercote, rather than having to share a single track.

A Network Rail spokesman said: ^We are aware of local people^s concerns and, following discussions with the council^s tree officer and ecologists, have agreed to limit the vegetation clearance to a metre-wide strip along the embankment. This will enable surveyors to assess the condition of the ground, while limiting the visual impact.^

The loop line was built in the early 1940s to cope with a surge in rail traffic during the Second World War. The track was removed after it was taken out of use in 1973. For most of its length it ran on an embankment separated from the main trackbed of the Oxford-Banbury line by a drainage channel.

[Btline]

Um, so why didn't they just do the 1 mtr strip if that's all that's required?

I suppose it's easier just to chainsaw the lot down than to select.

Anyway, surely when trains start running, the rest will have to be axed to prevent leaves in the line!

[TonyK]

Hmmm, ok.

But it was mainly the way the article portrayed this sheriff "riding out" to save the trees, shooting his pistol to stop the evil axemen.

The hell he did!

[Tim]

From the Oxford Mail:

The trees, which are on railway land, are being cut down to assess the potential for running larger freight trains through Oxford.

Sorry, but I don't believe that statement somehow.  I'm fairly sure that 'assessing the potential' (for longer freight trains) would be done well before any trees came down...

Paul`

I suspect they mean "assessing the commercial or technical viability of these trains".  Clear the siding and then run a trial service to see if longer trains run reliably and full enough to turn a profit. 

[paul7575]

No, what I mean is that there is a current CP4^▸ (Control Period 4 - the five year period between 2009 and 2014) project already doing the design work to GRIP4 (single option development, ie they have got beyond choice of options) to run longer freight trains on this route. It's a subset of a national train lengthening project and already reflects a policy to run longer trains - they wouldn't do that unless it was already proved to be viable.

The work anticipated on the route (as at Mar 2012) is as follows:

Southampton Western Docks Extend Up / Down Docks branch
Southampton Maritime ^ Redbridge Extend Depot Reception sidings
Eastleigh Provide 775m Up Loop
Wallers Ash Re-site signalling
Oxford Extend Down passenger loop to Wolvercot Junction
Fenny Compton Increase speed of entry / exit to 40 mph
Dorridge Extend Down loop to 775m
Washwood Heath Extend Up/Derby Slow and Washwood Heath Goods Loop to 775m

It is that level of detail that suggests that the trains will happen, the decision isn't pending these trees being investigated.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From This is Oxfordshire:

Sadness as Wolvercote trees go to improve rail links



Villagers who look after protected common land say it is a ^great shame^ that trees alongside have been felled so a railway line can be reopened.

The tree clearance work along the railway line by Wolvercote Common will allow Network Rail to reinstate the disused freight line that runs north from Oxford station, parallel to Port Meadow and the common. The work to clear vegetation was stopped by Oxford City Council last year following complaints that it could affect nesting birds.

Wolvercote Commoners chairman Michael Buck said: ^It is a great shame. I understand it is necessary because they do need the extra line.^

The group is planning to plant trees to shield the view of the railway line, but discussions are still under way.

A Network Rail spokesman said: ^This scheme is a key part of our plans to improve freight capacity on the railway ^ the greenest and most efficient method of transporting goods. Bringing this disused line back means we can run freight and passenger services on separate lines, helping to reduce disruption and making the railway more reliable.^