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Author Topic: Portishead Line reopening for passengers - ongoing discussion  (Read 384404 times)
chuffed
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« Reply #765 on: November 08, 2019, 17:21:13 »

As I said in October, JFDI (just flipping do it (polite version)) !

Never in the field of railway reopenings, can so many millions of pounds, millions of words, millions of seconds been invested in such a project with so little to show for it!
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TonyK
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« Reply #766 on: November 08, 2019, 17:49:38 »

It does make you wonder, after at least 5 years of concerted effort, research, planning, and document preparation by North Somerset DC (Direct Current), the LEP» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about), and now WECA» (West of England Combined Authority - about) what exactly is left to do that is going to take DfT» (Department for Transport - about) and a minister 18 months to make a decision on something so blindingly obviously needed. Beggars belief.
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stuving
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« Reply #767 on: November 08, 2019, 18:07:23 »

It does make you wonder, after at least 5 years of concerted effort, research, planning, and document preparation by North Somerset DC (Direct Current), the LEP» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about), and now WECA» (West of England Combined Authority - about) what exactly is left to do that is going to take DfT» (Department for Transport - about) and a minister 18 months to make a decision on something so blindingly obviously needed. Beggars belief.

Only the last three months of that is the SoS's own personal delay. The rest is the Planning Inspectorate's, to do National Infrastructure Planning under the Planning Act 2008.


Their "what we do" page starts with:
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The Planning Act 2008 (PA2008) process was introduced to streamline the decision-making process for major infrastructure projects, making it fairer and faster for communities and applicants alike.

I hope you are all duly appreciative.
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TonyK
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« Reply #768 on: November 08, 2019, 19:07:41 »


Only the last three months of that is the SoS's own personal delay. The rest is the Planning Inspectorate's, to do National Infrastructure Planning under the Planning Act 2008.

Crikey, it must have been even worse once upon a time! Still, with few exceptions, those are maximum times. The Inspectorate could do the first bit within a fortnight rather than 28 days, the SoS could be sat with his pen poised ready for action waiting to sign off the Inspector's recommendation, rather than playing Candy Crush on his PC (or worse) for 89 days, them making his mark. They won't though. It will go to the wire. It would be nice to hear the starting gun soon.
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TonyK
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« Reply #769 on: November 15, 2019, 16:46:39 »

An addendum: I have just read in my newspaper that one of the major political parties is promising £500 million to reverse some of the Beeching cuts. Included are Portishead and Okehampton, and I'll bet the others are re-re-re-announcements too.
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bradshaw
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« Reply #770 on: November 25, 2019, 10:17:18 »


Just appeared on Twitter

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An application for a development consent order (DCO (Driver Controlled Operation)) to construct a new railway line between Bristol and Portishead has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate   

https://twitter.com/wilderbags/status/1198887204619198466?s=21
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #771 on: November 25, 2019, 10:48:39 »

So it has:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/portishead-branch-line-metrowest-phase-1/

...and here, for those who like this kind of thing, is the indicative design plan for great crested newt mitigation ponds:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040011/TR040011-000381-2.59%20Great%20Crested%20Newt%20Indicative%20Pond%20Design.pdf

...or, perhaps more usefully, the D&A:
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR040011/TR040011-000534-8.1%20Design%20and%20Access%20Statement.pdf
« Last Edit: November 25, 2019, 11:16:25 by Red Squirrel » Logged

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Celestial
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« Reply #772 on: November 25, 2019, 11:43:03 »

Only 212 documents submitted, and this for, what, 3 miles disused railway that is (I believe) substantially still intact, and some work on an existing freight line.  How much has that all cost?  Makes you wonder doesn't it?
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TonyK
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« Reply #773 on: November 25, 2019, 13:26:20 »


With 100 - 300 square metres of pond, I am assuming that there are two newts in the area, possibly more!

But I rather like the overall plan, which looks much better that it did in the earlier drawings, obviously because of the greater detail. A great number of people will be within walking distance of the new Portishead station, and the minor rerouting of roads isn't too much for anyone to bear.
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sikejsudjek3
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« Reply #774 on: November 25, 2019, 16:00:48 »

It does make you wonder, after at least 5 years of concerted effort, research, planning, and document preparation by North Somerset DC (Direct Current), the LEP» (Local Enterprise Partnership - about), and now WECA» (West of England Combined Authority - about) what exactly is left to do that is going to take DfT» (Department for Transport - about) and a minister 18 months to make a decision on something so blindingly obviously needed. Beggars belief.

Because
a) Its not in London.
b) It doesn't move bankers into the city faster.
c) North Somerset will return Tory MP (Member of Parliament)'s irrespective of spending in the locality. You could get a root vegetable elected there if it had 'Conservative' next to the voting box !

Hence the confusion in government and the many more months of dithering.... they probably don't even know where Portishead is. A five year old could work out there was an overwhelming case for reinstatement inside 10 minutes.

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« Reply #775 on: November 25, 2019, 23:21:44 »

Only 212 documents submitted, and this for, what, 3 miles disused railway that is (I believe) substantially still intact, and some work on an existing freight line.  How much has that all cost?  Makes you wonder doesn't it?

An enormous amount of money I am sure. But on the other hand we'd all be up in arms if the railway was CPO'ing land left, right and centre, or splashing cash on hare-brained projects, so it's one of those unfortunate checks and balances I'm afraid. I've not gone into the paperwork in any depth, but if it covers the Avon Gorge there's an awful lot of protected wildlife - each bat and vole probably needs a designated caregiver and strategy ;-)

More seriously, yes, it might be a fairly safe Conservative seat, but it will move a lot of people into one of the richest cities in the UK (United Kingdom) outside London, and by doing so, should considerably reduce the amount of traffic going into the City of Bristol, considerably increase the viability of an urban rail network in Greater Bristol, and help with Bristol's housing crisis. On that basis it is pretty scandalous that the current Mayor of Bristol is not spending considerable energy lobbying for urban rail investment such as the redoubling of the Severn Beach line and a timeline for electrification.   

 
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« Reply #776 on: November 26, 2019, 00:21:20 »

Thank goodness it is only one page and one diagram for the Great Crested Hilton Hotel. At 81 pages for the full DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) report, I was seriously worried that this section would be 80 pages long. I cannot help wondering, why, if the GCN is so rare, why does it seem to pop up at every infrastructure project throughout the country?
« Last Edit: November 26, 2019, 05:59:45 by chuffed » Logged
Red Squirrel
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« Reply #777 on: January 01, 2020, 13:34:57 »

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On Thursday 12th December, we received a letter from the Planning Inspectorate stating they have accepted the DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) application for Examination. The letter can be read on PINS website. We are now preparing for the next stage of the DCO process. Over the next few weeks, there will be some activity in the local area. This will include:

  • The display of public notices along the railway corridor stating that an application for development consent has been made and signposting people to where they can access the application documents
  • Hard copies of the application in local libraries
  • A copy of the application online
  • Preparation for the examination in public which is likely to be held in the Spring.

Source: TravelWest


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TonyK
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« Reply #778 on: January 01, 2020, 15:31:42 »

It's good to know the letter wasn't lost in the post. Something will therefore eventually happen - let's hope it's before the next election.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #779 on: January 01, 2020, 16:50:39 »

Wasn’t it supposed to be open by now?!
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