HS2 station works saved from year-long delay after ministers back compulsory purchase

Network Rail was allowed to buy a plot of land beside Acton Main Line station to support construction of Old Oak Common station. The site is currently occupied by a Jewson builder’s merchants’ warehouse and was previously earmarked for redevelopment into flats with a replacement warehouse. Network Rail sought the land as a railway access and works compound near the West Coast Mainline, estimating that without it the project could take an additional year. A compulsory purchase process led to a public hearing focused on whether Network Rail could use the closer North Pole depot instead. Network Rail reduced its request to 70% of the site and sought a permanent road-rail link, while Bellaview Properties and the Department for Transport faced criticism over access arguments and decision influence.

"Network Rail has been given permission to buy a plot of land to support the construction of the Old Oak Common station, despite a planning inspector's report recommending that they shouldn't. The plot, next to Acton Main Line station, is currently occupied by a Jewson builder's merchants' warehouse, and had been earmarked by the landlord, Bellaview Properties, for redevelopment into a block of flats with a replacement warehouse at the ground floor."

"Network Rail was also eyeing up the plot of land as it sits right next to the West Coast Mainline, as a railway access site for use during the construction of nearby Old Oak Common station. Had they not been able to provide a works compound and access to the railway, Network Rail estimated that it could add a year to the construction of the Old Oak Common station."

"Initially, Network Rail wanted compulsory purchase powers for the whole site, but at the start of a public hearing, they had changed their position to requesting 70 per cent of the site, along with a permanent road-rail link for future maintenance work. Network Rail was criticised by the planning inspector for waiting until the first day of the hearings to change its position, but Bellaview Properties was still objecting to the request for a permanent access road to the railway."

"The Department for Transport (DfT) also came in for criticism for how it had tried to argue that the nearby North Pole depot couldn't be used to provide a road-rail link. There were also claims that the DfT had tried to influence Network Rail's decisions to avoid using North Pole, and when asked for documentation between Network Rail and the DfT, the planning i"

Read at www.ianvisits.co.uk