Issue - meetings

Evergreen 3:Response to Public Consultation by Chiltern Rail for a New Oxford to London Route

 

 

Meeting: 15/06/2009 - Executive (Item 6)

6 Evergreen 3:Response to Public Consultation by Chiltern Rail for a New Oxford to London Route pdf icon PDF 101 KB

Report of the Strategic Director Planning, Housing and Economy

 

Summary

 

To present information to the Executive on the proposed improvements to the railway line between Bicester and Oxford as part of proposals by Chiltern Railways for a new route between Oxford and London.

 

Recommendations

 

The Executive is recommended to:

 

1)                 Agree the contents of the report as the basis of the Council’s response to the public consultation and in particular to agree the representations set out in paragraphs 1.17, 1.24, 1.26 and 1.28 of the report.

 

a)                 Paragraph 1.17:  It is recommended that the Council supports the proposals provided Chiltern Railways can satisfy the criteria in PPG2 and PPG13.

 

b)                 Paragraph 1.24: It is recommended that the Council welcomes the proposed improvements to the station facilities and rail service at Bicester Town in providing a recognised station to complement the existing services from Bicester North.  However, the response to Chiltern Railways should include the Council’s concerns about the visual impact and traffic impact of Option 3 and note the need to work with the Highway Authority to look at traffic impacts within the Town.  The Council should also discuss with Chiltern Railways the links between Bicester Town station and the Bicester North station. Chiltern Railways should be encouraged to improve links to Bicester Town station from Bicester in order to support the creation of a sustainable community.  This should include links with North West Bicester.

 

c)                  Paragraph 1.26: The proposals for Islip are generally welcomed and should be supported.

 

d)                 Paragraph 1.28: The Council should support the proposed connecting line.

 

2)                 Ask Planning Committee to consider and make appropriate representations on the details of the scheme as the Transport and Works Act application proceeds.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Approved and that comments made by Councillors at the meeting should be fed in to the consultation response.

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Planning, Housing and Economy submitted a report to present information to the Executive on the proposed improvements to the railway line between Bicester and Oxford as part of proposals by Chiltern Railways for a new route between Oxford and London.

 

The Executive discussed the issue and agreed that the proposals should be supported and requested officers to include in the consultation response over the effect of traffic flow of an increased use of the level crossing at Bicester Town Station and also to consider whether any Section 106 money was available from the Bicester Village Development.

 

Resolved

 

The Executive is recommended to:

 

1)                 That the report (as appended to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be agreed as the basis of the Council’s response to the public consultation and in particular to agree the representations set out below:

 

  • That the proposals be supported provided Chiltern Railways can satisfy the criteria in PPG2 and PPG13.

 

  • That the proposed improvements to the station facilities and rail service at Bicester Town in providing a recognised station to complement the existing services from Bicester North be welcomed.  However, the response to Chiltern Railways should include the Council’s concerns about the visual impact and traffic impact of Option 3 and note the need to work with the Highway Authority to look at traffic impacts within the Town.  The Council should also discuss with Chiltern Railways the links between Bicester Town station and the Bicester North station. Chiltern Railways should be encouraged to improve links to Bicester Town station from Bicester in order to support the creation of a sustainable community.  This should include links with North West Bicester.

 

  • That the proposals for Islip be generally welcomed and supported.

 

  • That  the proposed connecting line be supported.

 

2)                 That the Planning Committee be asked to consider and make appropriate representations on the details of the scheme as the Transport and Works Act application proceeds.

 

Reasons - The proposed project will improve public transport provision and provide new facilities for rail passengers in the District.  On this basis, the Council should continue to discuss the details on the proposed scheme with Chiltern Railways.