Testun llawn:
Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback to the proposed policy.
Network Rail is the "not for dividend" owner and operator of Britain's railway infrastructure, which includes the tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level crossings and stations - the largest of which we also manage. All profits made by the company, including from commercial development, are reinvested directly back into the network.
Network Rail has the following comments to make.
Hatton Station - Network Rail would highlight that proposals to provide additional housing in the village should be accompanied by S106/CIL developer contributions towards improved access/passenger facilities at the station, given that development is likely to increase patronage with increased footfall at the station as a result of the increased number of dwellings.
Shrewley - sites identified for housing are positioned at the top of a railway cutting. Developers will need to seek advice from our asset protection team to ensure that the necessary measures/advice are in place to prevent any proposals from impacting upon the safety, integrity and operation and performance of the railway..
Where growth areas or significant housing allocations are identified close to existing rail infrastructure it is essential that the potential impacts of this are assessed. Many stations and routes are already operating close to capacity and a significant increase in patronage may create the need for upgrades to the existing infrastructure including improved signalling, passing loops, car parking, improved access arrangements or platform extensions. As Network Rail is a publicly funded organisation with a regulated remit it would not be reasonable to require Network Rail to fund rail improvements necessitated by commercial development. It is therefore appropriate to require developer contributions or CIL contributions to fund such railway improvements; it would also be appropriate to require contributions towards rail infrastructure where they are directly required as a result of the proposed development and where the acceptability of the development depends on access to the rail network.
The National Planning Policy Framework states that councils should, "work with...transport providers to develop strategies for the provision of viable infrastructure necessary to support sustainable development...or transport investment necessary to support strategies for the growth of ...other major generators of travel demand in their areas." Also, "encouragement should be given to solutions which support reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and reduce congestion. In preparing Local Plan, local planning authorities should therefore support a pattern of development which, where reasonable to do so, facilitates the use of sustainable modes of transport."
The likely impact and level of improvements required will be specific to each station and each development meaning standard charges and formulae may not be appropriate. Therefore in order to fully assess the potential impacts, and the level of developer contribution required, it is essential that where a Transport Assessment is submitted in support of a planning application that this quantifies in detail the likely impacts on the rail network.
To ensure that developer contributions can deliver appropriate improvements to the rail network we would recommend that the Warwick - Local Plan Consultation - Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries include provisions for rail. The policy should include the following:
A requirement for developer contributions to deliver improvements to the rail network, including any development that occurs as a consequence of the Warwick - Local Plan Consultation - Village Housing Options and Settlement Boundaries.
* A requirement for Transport Assessments to take cognisance of impacts to existing rail infrastructure to allow any necessary developer contributions towards rail to be calculated.
* A commitment to consult Network Rail where development may impact on the rail network and may require rail infrastructure improvements. In order to be reasonable these improvements would be restricted to a local level and would be necessary to make the development acceptable. We would not seek contributions towards major enhancement projects which are already programmed as part of Network Rail's remit.
Improvements to rail transport contribute to the public good and railway developments should not be expected to support other public projects. Our infrastructure projects and station developments and improvements support regeneration, increase the attractiveness of settlements and benefit communities.