STOP THE NORWOOD PARK MAST: April 2011

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Amazing what can be done when your local representatives (in Cornwall) bother to intervene

Network Rail abandon plans for mast at Sandplace Station

After 2 months of campaigning, Sandplace residents finally met with senior representatives from Network Rail on Thursday 31 March regarding the controversial proposed installation of a 25 metre mast and large equipment cabin at Sandplace Station on the Looe Valley Line. Residents had taken their arguments to MP Sheryl Murray, raised questions to Parliament, the Department for Transport, the Office of Rail Regulatioin, the Rail Safety Standards Board and Cornwall Council arguing that the site was inappropriate due to road safety issues created by the equipment cabin and proposed mast and the significant visual impact of the communications infrastructure, spoiling the hamlet of Sandplace designated an ‘Area of Great Landscape Value’.

For more information:

http://polraen.co.uk/network-rail-abandon-plans-for-mast-at-sandplace-station

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

New boss David Higgins promises to listen and learn?

“ I …. want people to associate these words with Network Rail: Open. Transparent. Accountable. Responsive.”

"Now we start a new chapter and over the next few months I will make further announcements about what Network Rail will do differently in the future as it seeks to build trust.”

"Finally, to the tireless men and women who work for Network Rail all over the country, in all weather and all times of the day; your hands, more than mine, hold the key to our future success. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the near future, to listen and to learn."

Boris you are a total let down

London mayor Boris Johnson has proved that he is as inept and as ignorant when it comes to understanding permitted development rights as Lambeth Council and the Department for Transport.

Many weeks after he was contacted by several members of our campaign this is the generic email sent out by his office.

"Network Rail do not require planning permission for this mast and as such the Mayor is unable to intervene here. In any case, the Mayor only has planning powers over applications of strategic importance as defined by the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008.

"I would suggest that you contact your local MP here, as a change in legislation would be required to ensure that Network Rail would need to seek planning permission for such a mast in the future."

Firstly what we are asking for is your support in protecting London's green spaces and important views of the capital.
Secondly there is legislation, to challenge Permitted Development Rights. May be the Mayor and his office should do a little bit or research before sending out incorrect emails.
Boris all we want is for you to help our campaign by backing us just as you would if this mast was being put up in the skyline of Primrose Hill in north London on your doorstep.

Network Rail is awash with money but can't afford to relocate mast

Peter Henderson, was only the interim chief executive.

New chief David Higgins, former chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, who took over this week promises to be" attuned to the needs of our customers and passengers."

Prior to his arrival fat cat bosses at the public funded company pocketed £2.2million in bonuses last year.

Higgins replaced Iain Coucher, who resigned in June after three years in the role, receiving £641,349 in bonuses on top of his salary of about £600,000.

Click on Mr Henderson's face to read about the claims of lavish pay and perks made against Iain Coucher.

Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone are useless

Despite repeated attempts to contact Mayor Boris Johnson about the affect of the mast on a protected view residents and park users have received no reply.

Boris makes a big deal about protecting London's strategic views but couldn't care less about the view from Norwood Park which is as good as any other in London. Is it because we are in South East London

Equally Ken Livingstone, can't be bothered to respond to repeated requests for support.

Ironically, when Ken was an aspiring politician he was a Lambeth councillor and was the Norwood representative on Greater London Council before becoming its leader.

The GLC presented the park with a plaque in 1986 which states the view is protected .

Where is your loyalty now Ken?

Tell us your stories....have you taken on Network Rail and won

Richard Flindell told residents

..... that this is the only viable site for the mast but was unable to provide any great detail and when pressed he ran for cover under the Freedom of Information Act which Network Rail, a public funded company, doesn't have to adhere to.

He got quite angry when he was challenged about the mast being screened by trees even though he didn't know how tall the trees were.

They are 10 metres high and the mast is 20 metres high. I think it is quite easy to work out the difference - 10 metres.

Now he only sends out generic emails and won't answer any difficult questions.

Network Rail refuses to provide information - complaint made to Information Commissioner

Acting Chief Executive Peter Henderson refuses information about the installation of GSM-R communications mast 2086A (2) Crystal Palace E: 532670 N: 171523

Residents ask for: copies of all letters, emails, telephone transcripts, details of meetings including minutes and meeting notes......

The request is made under the relevant regulations of the Environmental Information Act 2004.

Peter Henderson in his letter of 28 January 2011:

Thank you for your email of 22 January 2011 which contained a request for information under the ‘Environmental Information Act 2004’. I assume that you are referring to the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. In 2006 the decision of the Information Tribunal was that Network Rail Infrastructure Limited is not a public authority within the definition of Section 2(2) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and therefore is not subject to those regulations.

Accordingly, Network Rail has no obligation to provide the information you request and declines to do so.

Devon council uses Article 4 to stop Network Rail

Minutes of a committee meeting of North Devon District Council, held on 1 October 2003, which can be found here, in PDF format:

http://www.northdevo...tes/mectte01-10 the-03.pdf

It is reported that Ms Klaasen-Bos, of Network Rail, told the Committee of the Executive that "having taken into account the views of the District Council and various Action Groups, Network Rail no longer considered the GSM-R system appropriate for this line [the Tarka line]. It was therefore now considering installing an alternative option, which would address certain black spots along the line and would have less of an impact upon the environment."

Clearly, planning authorities can have a major influence on Network Rail's plans, if they choose to do so. Maybe Lambeth SHOULD contact them to find out how they achieved it?

Radio mast in village ignores rail firm's own guidelines

NETWORK Rail has ignored its own guidelines by giving the green light to a controversial communications mast.

The 29m structure is due to be built despite objections from residents and parents at the nearby primary school.

Yet Network Rail's own delivery plan says: "Where possible we try to locate communication masts away from schools, hospitals and residential properties. We have also replanned our programme to reduce the standard height from 29m to 15m."

Proof that Network Rail is going to use these masts for mobile phone networks

Mobile coverage is expected to be further boosted when Network Rail installs a new communications system across the UK in nine years’ time.

Technology will improve links between train drivers and signal staff, but the new, taller masts that it will require could also be used for transmission equipment by the mobile phone networks.

Improvements could make train travel more attractive to phone addicts, because non-hands-free use while driving is now illegal. Latest industry estimates show there are now nearly 50 million mobiles in use across Britain

Full article

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Plan-to-boost-mobile-signal.2546953.jp

We are still waiting to find out what 'under consideration' means?

We are not entirely sure whether this is good or bad news but after contacting Richard Flindell communications manager at Network Rail we received this response: "I wanted to let you know that this issue is currently under consideration at Network Rail. As soon as we are in a position to provide any more information I will be in contact."

It could be that they will now conduct an independent review of whether this is the most suitable location for a 20 metre mast or it could be just in relation to how they plan to screen it.
It may even be that what is 'under consideration' is whether they will release documents about how Network Rail decided upon this location.....

We really don't know so watch this space.

Network Rail clean up your rubbish...

We totally agree with what American author Bill Bryson is doing in spearheading a campaign to forcie Network Rail to clear up the country’s dirtiest train stations.

One of those in the hall of shame being targeted by the best-selling writer is Gravesend, which serves some two million passengers a year.

Bryson, who is president of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and his fellow campaigners are seeking a Litter Abatement Order against the rail operator.

They claim the company continually fails to clear rubbish along tracks at the station.

Under a Litter Abatement Order, served via a magistrates’ court, a firm legally has to get a long-standing litter problem cleared up.

Bryson said organisations responsible for public land are required to keep it clean.

The litter on the rail track side on Gipsy Road is appalling as is the state of council/common land on the corner of Finch Avenue/Aubyn Hill courtesy of Network Rail.

Network Rail stops work on 80ft mast in Cornwall

Network Rail has stopped work on an 80ft (24m) communications mast, after people living nearby said they were not told about the construction.

The company has apologised to residents of Sandplace, near Looe, Cornwall, and a month-long consultation has begun.

Network Rail said it was due to an "administrative error", but BBC News has been told of other cases where it appears residents were not told.

The company said it was happy to look into it and see what could be done.

Network Rail said the masts helped to provide a system for train drivers and signallers to communicate, and would reduce the risk of serious accidents.

Lambeth officers are too afraid to use their powers to take on Network Rail

"……Thank you for your time and patience in this matter and, whilst I acknowledge that it is not the answer you were probably looking for, as the works have already been granted planning permission by the Government through the Permitted Development Order, there is nothing further we are able to do."Lyndon Sawyer, Planning Enforcement Officer, Planning Division

Yet Lambeth Council's own Unitary Development Plan (UDF) includes the protected views of Norwood Park...

Policy 71 Upper Norwood
Lambeth will work with the four neighbouring boroughs to regenerate Upper
Norwood, protect its character and heritage and improve traffic conditions and
public transport. Long distance views of the London Skyline will be protected.

Controversial rail mast to be moved

A rail mast which has sparked anger among residents after they received no consultation about it is due to be moved.

The 50ft (15m) structure was put up by Network Rail in September to improve signalling safety at Bath Spa Station.

But after complaints from residents living in The Academy in Wells Road, the rail company has decided to move the mast.

Steve Gayner, whose house overlooks the railway line, headed the campaign against the rail mast.

Neighbours barricade road to stop mast

Neighbours have barricaded a road to stop contractors building a mast they fear could “cook their brains”.

People living down a road off Wokingham Road between Crowthorne and Sandhurst have blocked it to stop workers putting up a mast for track company Network Rail.

The narrow dirt track, opposite Ambarrow Lane, leads to the railway line, where Network Rail wants to install the microwave-emitting mast

Haringey Council leader persuades Minister to stop Network Rail using Article 4

Haringey used Article 4 backed by the government to stop Network Rails plans under permitted development to put up a rail track shed. One of the reasons for halting it was "it is anticipated height of 13 metres, will be visually intrusive in views from New River Village and from Alexandra Palace to the west, from Turnpike Lane (including the block of apartments known as Westpoint) to the south, and from Haringey Heartlands sites."

Read more here:http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/latest_news/brakes_put_on_network_rail_plans.htm

Anger at 80ft Network Rail mast in Cornwall

Residents of a Cornish hamlet have called on Network Rail to stop construction of an 80ft radio mast near their homes.

The company has admitted not everyone living in Sandplace near Looe was told about the plan due to an "administrative error".

It claims the mast improves reliability and allows for 100% signal coverage.

But one resident, Derek Bolton, said the mast had been sited "on top of people's homes".

Steven Wright said the work was being carried out without any consultation with residents.

Keep up the pressure

Please keep the pressure on, these people need to hear your views and objections to Network Rail effecting Norwood Parks protected views of London -

Tessa Jowell / MP / tessa.jowell.mp@parliament.uk
Robin Gisby / Network Rail Director Of Operations / Robin.Gisby@networkrail.co.uk

David Higgins/Network Rail new Chief Executive

David.Higgins@networkrail.co.uk

Rick Haythornthwaite/Network Rail, Chairman of Non Executive Directors

Rick Haythornthwaite@networkrail.co.uk

John Flynn / Lambeth Planning / JFlynn@lambeth.gov.uk
Jennifer Brathwaite / Local Cllr / jbrathwaite@lambeth.gov.uk
Niranjan Francis / Local Cllr / nrfrancis@lambeth.gov.uk
Jane Pickard / Local Cllr /jpickard@lambeth.gov.uk
Matthew Bennett / Local Cllr / mpbennett@lambeth.gov.uk
Nicholas Gray / Network Rail Community Relations / Nicholas.Gray@networkrail.co.uk
Steve Reed / Lambeth Council Leader / sreed@lambeth.gov.uk
John Flynn / Lambeth Planning / JFlynn@lambeth.gov.uk
Lyndon Sawyer / Lambeth Enforcement Officer / lsawyer@lambeth.gov.uk
Valerie Shawcross / London Assembly Member / Valerie.Shawcross@london.gov.uk
Boris Johnson / Mayor Of London / mayor@london.gov.uk
Giles Dolphin / GLA Planning / giles.dolphin@london.gov.uk