Oldham to lodge opposition to TRU works programme
The council will file a formal objection to a transport & works act order relating to the Stalybridge-Diggle part of Network Rail’s Transpennine Route Upgrade railway improvement project.
Sign-off was required at full council for the objection to proceed, as instructed by the Department for Transport after Oldham had signified its opposition to the scheme in January.
Oldham Council, stressed officers in the report prepared for the meeting, supports the strategic objectives of TRU and “recognises its importance in improving rail capacity, reliability, connectivity and long-term environmental outcomes across the North of England”.
Furthermore, it was added, “the council has engaged constructively with Network Rail throughout the development of the scheme and remains committed to working collaboratively to maximise public benefit”.
With Network Rail having responded in early February to that initial airing of grievances, negotiations over different aspects of the work programme are continuing.
The hope is that as many points as possible can be resolved before June, when a public inquiry is inked in to begin – the draft Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) has attracted more than 250 other objections.
Oldham’s support for TRU in principle notwithstanding, the council has put on record its issues with the TWAO due to several unresolved concerns that impact on public safety, statutory responsibilities, public rights of way, highway operations, land interests and future development potential.
The TRU programme as a whole is a £10.7bn project, expected to complete in the 2020s. It aims to improve a 76-mile stretch of railway with electrification, other improvements accessibility upgrades at 23 stations.
The issues at stake:
Public rights of way and highway safety
The council objects to proposed temporary vehicular diversion routes at Boat Lane / Harrop Court Road and Station Road, where non-motorised public rights of way would be used for vehicles without sufficient clarity or safeguards. The proposals risk compromising user safety, particularly for vulnerable users, and lack legally robust detail – although NR has now confirmed it will develop a construction traffic management plan, requiring council approval.
At Greenfield station, Oldham remains concerned about insufficient design information for highway alterations, including pedestrian crossings and drop-off arrangements. Although Network Rail has committed to establishing a design working group and escalation process, these arrangements are not yet formally documented.
Moorgate Halt Level Crossing
Oldham strongly objects to the proposed permanent closure of Definitive Footpath 209, described as an “ancient and well-used route”, NR’s proposed diversion is, in Oldham’s view, steep, inaccessible and unsuitable for vulnerable users. The council maintains that a footbridge remains the only acceptable solution.
Land interests and development impacts
Several land plots will be affected by temporary and permanent works, particularly where access rights, landscaped land, operational assets or future development potential may be prejudiced, said Oldham. Of particular concern are impacts on land with existing or potential residential development, where bridge replacement works could permanently affect highway sightlines and site viability.
Construction programme and local events
Oldham said that the absence of a clear construction programme raises concerns about potential conflict with major Saddleworth events, which rely on safe and effective operation of the highway network.
The council’s overall position is summed up thus: “Until detailed information is provided, and satisfactory solutions are agreed—particularly in relation to public safety, rights of way, highway design governance, land impacts and construction programming— the council is unable to withdraw its formal objections.
“The Council remains willing to continue working constructively with Network Rail to resolve these matters and to support delivery of the scheme in a way that safeguards local communities and enables the council to fulfil its statutory duties.”
Also referred to as the Saddleworth programme in TRU terms, the Stalybridge to Diggle programme is a considerable project, which includes the slight relocation of Tameside’s Mossley station as well as the accessibility-led works at Greenfield, along with work on bridges, tunnels and roads that will allow the installation of the overhead line equipment required to power faster, cleaner trains.
Oldham should be opposing the fact that it has been removed from the railway map, having only a tram service to Manchester. All its opposition is to features outside the actual town.
By Paul White
I’ve read your comment four times, Paul, and I don’t understand the point you are trying to make. Are you agreeing with Oldham or not? I’m not convinced anyone takes OMBC seriously anymore. Can they demonstrate that they take reasonable, evidence-based, accountable decisions anywhere in the borough? They have been rated C3 Grade and have a £26m budget hole. Six times. I still don’t understand your message.
By vicar in a tutu
And this is why infrastructure works take so long and cost so much in this country!
By Alastair
This is a good example why nothing ever get improved or built in this country then the same people complain we don’t live in a modern country
By Anonymous
The White Rose society whinging again? Another example of this backward country and the hold ups dragging on for years because of these ridiculous people.
By Elephant
Haven’t seen the proposals, but the issues they’ve raised sound reasonable and should have been dealt with by the scheme designers rather than seeing what they can get away with not doing.
By Swampy
One thing missing from the proposals is a commitment to provide two stopping trains per hour for Greenfield throughout the day. Of all those stations in Greater Manchester which don’t have two trains per hour it’s easily the busiest. [Mossley is 2nd.] Local support for the project would be much easier to get if there was something offered in return.
By Anonymous
The TRU works are literally railroading through local communities on the route. It’s alright people who don’t live there complaining at Oldham Council for objecting, but these concerns are legitimate. The works, both temporary and permanent, are really destructive. In one village they’re planning to cut down an entire wood for a temporary works compound when there’s another compound proposed on an existing large parking area just a minute away.
By Anonymous
TRU haven’t even set out what the proposals will bring to the small communities along the Pennine part of the route to partly mitigate the years of disruption communities are experiencing during these weeks. It’s fully expected that all the ‘upgrade’ will deliver is slightly quicker travel times between Leeds and Manchester, with a continuing hourly stopping service to villages along the route, so no improvement to local communities at all.
By Anonymous
Insufficient detail supplied by TRU so not surprised about the objections. Expect it to be chaos around Greenfield with Rail Replacement coaches trying to navigate narrow roads.
By Agatha Plank
This railway route has not been properly upgraded since it was built in the 1800’s. Here we have an excellent, (long awaited), project which will improve both passenger and freight operations beyond all recognition.
I am completely baffled by what I am reading here !! Not only will it improve journey times, it will see the electrification of the route from Manchester to York which, last time I looked, was the objective of many for environmental reasons alone, but among lots of others too. Let’s face it, ……. all projects of this magnitude will cause temporary inconvenience and more than once. However, it is a price well worth paying for the huge long term benefits the project will deliver. In Huddersfield, and Dewsbury, yes we have had bus replacement on numerous occasions whilst the line has been closed whilst work on the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade is carried out, and yes it is somewhat inconvenient, but only mildly so when one considers the massive benefits the project will ultimately deliver. The good people of Mirfield and Morley have brand new “all accessible” stations, with Dewsbury and Batley soon to enjoy these new stations too. The same will happen at both Mossley, and Greenfield.
It’s very disappointing to see these objections by Oldham Council, who in reality should be warmly embracing, and working with this massive improvement the Trans Pennine rail route, with a much more positive and constructive attitude.
By Tim