Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) Report to follow.

The Planning Policy Manager, Mr K Bean introduced the report on the consultation relating to Crossrail 2, which had a deadline of 8 January 2016.

Following an earlier consultation in 2013, the route for Crossrail 2 was decided upon with the Regional option favoured over the Metro option. This decision accorded with the route preference expressed by this Council at that time. Subject to funding and Government approval, it was anticipated that an application for powers could be made in 2017, with construction beginning in 2020 and completion at the earliest in 2030.

The route of the Regional option Crossrail 2 Line would run north-east to south-west in tunnels through central London linking up Wimbledon with Tottenham Hale.  At the south-west end separate spurs following existing track run to Shepperton, Hampton Court, Chessington and Epsom.  At the north-east end of the line a branch was proposed from Dalston heading to New Southgate in Enfield via Seven Sisters.  However, the main line would run through Tottenham Hale following the West Anglian Mainline (WAML) route up to Broxbourne. 

Crossrail 2 was proposing to build additional track and station infrastructure along the WAML between Tottenham Hale in the south and Broxbourne to the north.  Officers understood that the existing twin track line is soon to be upgraded by Network Rail to three tracks between Coppermill Junction, south of Tottenham Hale, and Angel Road station.  Crossrail 2 requires the addition of more tracks along the route to at least just north of Broxbourne.  At present there remains a question mark whether the Crossrail 2 line terminates at Broxbourne or continues to either Hertford East or Harlow.  Whilst canvassing opinions on the potential route beyond Broxbourne was not the subject of this consultation it would clearly be of great interest to local authorities in the London Stansted Cambridge Consortium (LSCC) wider area.

Mr Bean flagged up the following issues for Members’ consideration and agreement for including in the Council’s consultation response:

·         That it was important to understand what the overall benefits and impacts of Crossrail 2 were likely to be for the District.

·         In reiterating EFDC’s continued broad support for Crossrail 2, there were invariably a number of issues and uncertainties at this stage regarding the likely impacts that implementation of the scheme may have.

·         Given that 2030 was the very earliest date that the line could become operational, assessment of likely impacts on Epping Forest District were very difficult to gauge at this stage.

·         Once Crossrail 1 begins service in 2019/2010 the Council will also have an adopted Local Plan in place outlining the number and location of growth that will need to be planned for across the District up to 2033.

·         For EFDC it was suggested flagging up the need for careful thought and extensive consultation on the matter of level crossings. For the section of line running through Enfield and Hertfordshire, as the consultation identifies, a key issue to be resolved will be where existing level crossings need to be closed.  In particular, the extent and form of alternative access for vehicles and pedestrians that would need to be provided either by way of bridge, underpass or via a diversion.

·         The level crossing barriers at both Roydon and Sawbridgeworth were currently down for up to 30 minutes in every hour, an issue that would need to be addressed if improvements made to the West Anglia route drew extra rail traffic.

·         If it was decided that the Crossrail 2 terminus was to be in Broxbourne it was likely to mean the requirement for a marshalling yard in the vicinity of either Broxbourne or Cheshunt stations, and therefore relatively close to the District boundary.

·         In expressing a preference for the regional option in 2013 this Council highlighted its concern about the need for guaranteed future investment in, and improvements to, the Central Line – both the Epping branch and the Hainault loop.

·         The route, speed and relative ticket pricing for Crossrail 2 when it becomes operational are all variables that are likely to influence passenger behaviour between using Crossrail 2 or the Central Line to access central London. 

Councillor Wixley agreed that we should emphasise the need for improvements to the Central Line. Councillor Neville agreed and added that the Central Line needed adequate funding.

Councillor Chris Pond said that there were no plans for a Marshalling Yard but for a Maintenance Depot. Also a new line would mean handling about 10,000 seats per hour as opposed to 3,000 at present. Councillor Bassett noted that the Maintenance depot would be in Wimbledon; there was already a Marshalling Yard in Broxbourne. They were talking about a fast line being able to handle considerably more trains and passengers travelling into London in peak hours. All authorities had their own idea of where the line should end.

RESOLVED:

To make the following comments on and responses to the consultation:

(a)  That the Committee considered the issues set out in the report and determined the view to give in responding to the consultation having had regard to the matters set out in paragraphs 6 to 9 of the officer report, especially to emphasise the need for continued investment in the Central Line.

(b)  That the views of EFDC are made known to other relevant stakeholders including: London Stansted Cambridge Consortium, London Boroughs of Redbridge and Waltham Forest, Essex County Council, Borough of Broxbourne, Corporation of London, LVRPA, SELEP and MPs for the Epping, Harlow and Brentwood & Ongar constituencies.