Agenda item
Public Question Time
To receive any questions from members of the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Shropshire Council Procedure Rule 14. The deadline for this meeting is 10.00am on 24 October 2018
Minutes:
50.1 The following question had been received from Trevor Allison
Does the Strategy Board feel it should request the Highways and Rights-of-Way Department to resist any large-scale closure of foot crossings as hinted at in this e-mail? ((See below).
Shropshire’s extensive and well-used network of Rights-of-Way would be considerably damaged if any programme of closures of this nature were to take place. It would be acceptable for some very minor changes or rationalisation to take place, but being somewhat acquainted with the Health and Safety Regulations under which Network Rail currently administer foot crossings of the railway (I have been out with a Network Rail Officer on more than one occasion when he was assessing the safety parameters of various foot crossings near to Shrewsbury) there is no justification for a wholesale closure of such crossings. I would ask the Outdoor Partnerships Department within which the Rights-of-Way Department functions to confirm that they will, if at all possible, resist all requests or demands from Network Rail to implement such a policy.
Subject: NETWORK RAIL LC CLOSURES
Dear All,
You may soon feel the effects, if you haven't already, of Network Rail's policy to close all level crossings in the country that carry public rights of way over them.
Highway authorities are pressured by Network Rail into stopping up paths at level crossings by applying for Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) - usually on "safety grounds"
This is the first wave of attacks on PROWs and local authorities, being strapped for cash, do not want to enter legal fights so have given way to Network Rail's demands. They also extend the TTROs - with permission from DfT - so that the "temporary" Orders in effect become permanent.
The second wave of attack is to launch Transport & Works Act Orders to obtain planning and compulsory purchase permission to permanently close crossings and divert paths in the interests of "public health and recreation" (making people walk etc. further benefits health!)
I urge you to consider writing to the DfT to complain about any use of TTROs by Network Rail in your area. (If you don't already get notified of them by your LA, ask them to do so now!)
I attach my letter to Chris Grayling the Secretary of State for Transport in case it helps.
Malcolm Lees
LC for Essex50.1 The following question had been received from Trevor Allison
Does the Strategy Board feel it should request the Highways and Rights-of-Way Department to resist any large-scale closure of foot crossings as hinted at in this e-mail? ((See below).
Shropshire’s extensive and well-used network of Rights-of-Way would be considerably damaged if any programme of closures of this nature were to take place. It would be acceptable for some very minor changes or rationalisation to take place, but being somewhat acquainted with the Health and Safety Regulations under which Network Rail currently administer foot crossings of the railway (I have been out with a Network Rail Officer on more than one occasion when he was assessing the safety parameters of various foot crossings near to Shrewsbury) there is no justification for a wholesale closure of such crossings. I would ask the Outdoor Partnerships Department within which the Rights-of-Way Department functions to confirm that they will, if at all possible, resist all requests or demands from Network Rail to implement such a policy.
Subject: NETWORK RAIL LC CLOSURES
Dear All,
You may soon feel the effects, if you haven't already, of Network Rail's policy to close all level crossings in the country that carry public rights of way over them.
Highway authorities are pressured by Network Rail into stopping up paths at level crossings by applying for Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) - usually on "safety grounds"
This is the first wave of attacks on PROWs and local authorities, being strapped for cash, do not want to enter legal fights so have given way to Network Rail's demands. They also extend the TTROs - with permission from DfT - so that the "temporary" Orders in effect become permanent.
The second wave of attack is to launch Transport & Works Act Orders to obtain planning and compulsory purchase permission to permanently close crossings and divert paths in the interests of "public health and recreation" (making people walk etc. further benefits health!)
I urge you to consider writing to the DfT to complain about any use of TTROs by Network Rail in your area. (If you don't already get notified of them by your LA, ask them to do so now!)
I attach my letter to Chris Grayling the Secretary of State for Transport in case it helps.
Malcolm Lees
LC for Essex
Mr Allison commented that there was a programme of closures of crossings in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk and that he was worried that this would set a precedent for the rest of the country. He urged the Strategy Board to support the Rights of Way department in resist wholesale closures of crossings.
The Mapping and Enforcement Manager commented that the situation in Shropshire was very different and that the Rights of Way team had a very good relationship with Network Rail and worked actively with them to improve crossings. She added that the team would resist wholesale closures if they were proposed, but would prefer to work with Network Rail on a case by case basis.
Members of the Board supported this approach