Helioslough: "There is no sound railfreight alternative" (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Helioslough: "There is no sound railfreight alternative"

3:12pm Friday 18th December 2009 in Rail Freight News By Alex Lewis

ALL the alternative railfreight sites suggested by the council in the north-west sector of the M25 have serious flaws, Helioslough's barrister has told the hearing.

The council's preferred location of Colnebrook near Slough, he said, had been defined in official planning guidance as a crucial “strategic gap “ between London and Slough, and had problems of rail access.

He said: “All trains accessing Colnebrook will have to access from the east and contend with sections of the Great Western Main Line which carry 26 trains per hour in each direction.

“The claimed gauge advantages are illusory.”

There were no proposals, he said, for a railfreight depot at Upper Sundon near Luton, while one at nearby Harlington would do serious damage to long distance views in an area of outstanding natural beauty, and Littlewick Green was too far from London.

He concluded: “While we recognise the concerns that emerge from the local community as presented by Strife, these have been carefully and fully considered now on two occasions.

“The care and attention paid to every aspect of the proposals and the provision at significant cost of beneficial elements such as the bypass are testament to the appellant's commitment to ensure that wherever possible any impacts on the local community are relieved and mitigated.

“The grant of planning permission, subject to appropriate conditions is entirely appropriate.”