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chris from nailsea
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« on: April 20, 2012, 03:06:57 PM » |
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From the Oxford Mail: Sheriff rides out to save Port Meadow trees
The Sheriff of Oxford has ridden in to stop Network Rail chopping down trees on the fringe of Port Meadow.
The rail infrastructure company began cutting down trees on the edge of track bordering the historic meadow last week. It was part of its plans to increase capacity on the railway corridor through Oxford by reinstating a fourth track from the city’s station to Wolvercote.
But a city council tree officer ordered the work be halted after neighbours and councillor Jean Fooks, the Sheriff of Oxford, complained.
Network Rail, which had planned to fell trees for about a mile between Godstow Bridge and Aristotle Lane, is now in discussions with the council about whether the scheme can resume.
The trees, which are on railway land, are being cut down to assess the potential for running larger freight trains through Oxford.
Ms Fooks, whose role as Sheriff of Oxford makes her responsible for Port Meadow, said she was worried about the ecologicial impact and the threat to nesting birds.
She added: “The work began last week. Everybody jumped up and down and the city council’s tree officer Kevin Caldicott rose to the occasion and has managed to stop it for the time being.
“The main concerns are the damage to the general surroundings and the fact that it’s bird-nesting season. This is not the time you cut trees.”
She added: “As the sheriff I am responsible for Port Meadow and I don’t want it spoiled. People want to know what is actually necessary. Should you be doing it now, if at all?”
City council spokesman Louisa Dean said: “We have spoken to Network Rail and they have agreed to hold off felling the trees while we have further discussions with them.”
The extra track would allow trains from Oxford towards the Cotswold Line and to Banbury to run in parallel rather than sharing the current track.
Network Rail spokesman Sam Kelly said: “The work we are doing is part of a wider scheme to enable longer freight trains to run in the Oxford area in the future. Freight is vital to Britain’s economic success and it also plays a big role in reducing congestion and carbon emissions.
“We are aware of local people’s concerns and the work has been temporarily suspended while we have further discussions with the council.”
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'Level crossings on the railway network are safe - unless they are used in an unsafe manner.' Discuss.
William Huskisson MP was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
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mjones
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« Reply #1 on: April 20, 2012, 03:35:46 PM » |
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I expect there are bats and newts there as well.  |
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paul7755
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« Reply #2 on: April 20, 2012, 04:25:26 PM » |
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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` |
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Btline
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« Reply #3 on: April 20, 2012, 04:40:49 PM » |
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Groan, why didn't they check with the council before getting the chainsaws out? And agreed - trees shouldn't be axed during the nesting season. How would you like it if you went to Tesco's and came back home to find your house bulldozed?
Hopefully this can get sorted asap, so the work can be finished and the extra track laid.
Of course, if railway trees were kept cut back all year round, this wouldn't be a problem!
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Btline
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« Reply #4 on: April 20, 2012, 04:41:35 PM » |
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PS: Sheriff? Oh please - this is Oxford, not the Wild West... |
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2012, 04:58:02 PM » |
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PS: Sheriff? Oh please - this is Oxford, not the Wild West... Though a Sheriff has been associated with Port Meadow for many years. This stone plinth is located in the meadow:  |
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Btline
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« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2012, 05:05:12 PM » |
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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.  Scroll down to the standard "furious residents" picture. |
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chris from nailsea
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« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2012, 05:17:32 PM » |
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... from which you will note that the present Sheriff of Oxford is female. And, strictly speaking, she didn't do the actual 'stopping' herself: But a city council tree officer ordered the work be halted after neighbours and councillor Jean Fooks, the Sheriff of Oxford, complained.
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Logged
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'Level crossings on the railway network are safe - unless they are used in an unsafe manner.' Discuss.
William Huskisson MP was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
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Electric train
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« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2012, 06:17:49 PM » |
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Groan, why didn't they check with the council before getting the chainsaws out? And agreed - trees shouldn't be axed during the nesting season. How would you like it if you went to Tesco's and came back home to find your house bulldozed?
Hopefully this can get sorted asap, so the work can be finished and the extra track laid.
Of course, if railway trees were kept cut back all year round, this wouldn't be a problem!
On operational land Network Rail do not need to seek permission from the local authority as it come under permissible rights, however it is normal practice to consult and of course NR has to abide by environmental legislation regarding nesting birds etc PS: Sheriff? Oh please - this is Oxford, not the Wild West... High Sheriff has been around in the UK for over 1000 years http://www.highsheriffs.com/History.htm, although to day in is mainly an honorary role, its roots are in tax collection and law and order. Sheriffs are an important part of our heritage |
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I work for the largest employer in the Rail Industry.
Electrification is what I do
Swindon engineering - if 3/8th steel plate is enough use 7/16th just in case.
George Jackson Churchward a true Engineer
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2012, 06:31:12 PM » |
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Though a Sheriff has been associated with Port Meadow for many years. This stone plinth is located in the meadow:
I remember getting bogged down near that obelisk thingy when I was slightly too overambitious in trying to make a circuit of the meadow once. It was a very long walk retracing my steps all the way back to Walton Well Road... |
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chris from nailsea
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« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2012, 06:35:43 PM » |
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Yes: it does seem to be a case of 'soggy meadow' rather than Port Meadow ... |
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'Level crossings on the railway network are safe - unless they are used in an unsafe manner.' Discuss.
William Huskisson MP was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
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paul7755
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« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2012, 06:55:31 PM » |
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I've wonder if there's another open space on the far side of Oxford that could be named Starboard Meadow...  (I'll get my waterproof jacket...) Paul |
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bignosemac
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 8318
Ex-pat Tauntonian. Exiled in Bristol.
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« Reply #12 on: April 22, 2012, 06:50:56 PM » |
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...and one to the north called Bow Meadow and one to the south called Stern Meadow? |
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I'm going slightly mad, I'm going slightly mad. It finally happened, it finally happened, it finally happened. I'm slightly mad, oh dear. |
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chris from nailsea
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« Reply #13 on: April 23, 2012, 12:02:03 AM » |
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When I posted that original news item, I somehow didn't expect that we'd arrive at Captain Pugwash via The Lone Ranger ... |
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Logged
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'Level crossings on the railway network are safe - unless they are used in an unsafe manner.' Discuss.
William Huskisson MP was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
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Electric train
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« Reply #14 on: April 23, 2012, 07:14:20 AM » |
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When I posted that original news item, I somehow didn't expect that we'd arrive at Captain Pugwash via The Lone Ranger ... Port Meadow apart from having ancient rights it is linked to a work of fiction Alice in Wonderland http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Meadow,_Oxford |
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Logged
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I work for the largest employer in the Rail Industry.
Electrification is what I do
Swindon engineering - if 3/8th steel plate is enough use 7/16th just in case.
George Jackson Churchward a true Engineer
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