East West Rail Consultation Response From Abbotsley Parish Council

Below is the response sent from Abbotsley Parish Council to the Route Alignment consultation. The deadline is 9th June 2021. Individuals are invited to respond at consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk

 

Abbotsley Parish Council’s preferred route is Route Alignment 1.

Abbotsley Parish Council is very concerned that the nearest proposed routes to Abbotsley, both Route Alignment 6 and Route Alignment 8, would be within 100m of the nearest house. In addition, this route would create a very unwelcome physical barrier between the villages of Abbotsley, Great Gransden and Waresley. It would also make a physical division within local farmland and so would make farming the land impossible.

The Parish Council agrees that is makes best sense for the route to follow the A428 road route along the corridor, and the northern way seems most appropriate.

There is no preference for the location of the stations.

Councillors were unanimous that there is no reason to cut through open countryside. The Parish Council is very worried about the visual impact that following this route would have. Of even greater concern is the possible ecological damage, should the proposed route be established at the south.

Abbotsley Parish Council is unhappy that East West Rail is still proposing a diesel line than electric. There is also concern for the future that there will be freight traffic introduced once the line is established.

It was agreed that in the post-covid era with new and adapted work practices, the need for rail travel for commuting should be questioned and completely re-evaluated. Surely this need is now very much reduced and it was asked if this line is even necessary.