Dringhouses & Woodthorpe councillors have welcomed an announcement from Network Rail that they have abandoned plans to establish a temporary rail compound on land off Moor Lane in Dringhouses.
The plans first came to light in February 2021 when residents and councillors were shocked to receive notification that Network Rail planned to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton until February 2024. Network Rail said that it would be used to provide access to the railway, to store materials and machinery and to house staff welfare facilities. The announcement led to the sale of a house on Moor Lane falling through, causing considerable distress for the family affected.
In response to local concerns, Network Rail paused their plans and in April 2021 they proposed to locate the compound further away from neighbouring properties. A drop-in session was held at York College in December 2021 at which residents were invited to view revised plans and ask questions of the Network Rail team.
In an e-mail to Cllr Stephen Fenton on 1 April 2022, Network Rail confirmed that they no longer need to construct a temporary compound at Dringhouses. This is because changes in the order of the upgrade programme will allow more time for the track renewal work between York and Copmanthorpe to take place, enabling the upgrades to be carried out at weekends when longer periods are available for the teams to work. This will enable Network Rail to efficiently transport its teams, materials and equipment from a new construction hub at Gascoigne Wood near Sherburn-in-Elmet within the time allowed, instead of having to house them in a compound next to the line at Moor Lane.
Commenting on the news, Cllr Stephen Fenton said “This issue has rumbled on for over a year since the plans were first announced, and so I am pleased that Network Rail have been able to find a solution which will enable the upgrade work to go ahead without the need to create a compound on this green field site.
“Apart from the noise nuisance that residents feared would be created, there were also concerns about vehicles accessing and exiting the site via a very busy stretch of Moor Lane. The local community, and Network Rail, can now move on from this episode.”
Network Rail have organised a drop-in session for local residents on Wednesday 8 December to discuss plans for a temporary compound on land next to the railway line off Moor Lane in Woodthorpe. The event will be held at York College from 4pm to 7pm. Local councillors were made aware of the event in an e-mail from Network Rail on Monday 6 December, though we understand that there has been a letter drop to households near the compound site.
Earlier this year councillors called on Network Rail to engage with local residents about the plans after they announced their plans to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton. The initial plans would have seen the compound located 40 metres away from homes on Moor Lane. News of the plans led directly to the sale of a home falling through at the last minute, causing the residents considerable distress.
Cllr Stephen Fenton has repeatedly called on Network Rail to meaningfully engage with local residents
Cllr Stephen Fenton called on Network Rail to pause their plans and listen to the concerns expressed by local residents. Then in April Network Rail announced that they were proposing to move the compound further downfield to help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site.
In their latest e-mail to Cllr Fenton on 6 December, Network Rail said:
“This compound will be vital in enabling us to carry out major track improvement work as part of our Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will allow more frequent, more reliable, faster, greener trains between York, Leeds and Manchester. For a number of months our project team have been investigating what they can do to minimise disruption and intrusion for lineside neighbours and the local community.
Following feedback, we have now been able to move the site of the compound further down the field and additional shielding will be provided by a topsoil barrier. Both these mitigations will help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site to residents while we carry out these major upgrade works. We continue to work with City of York Council to obtain agreement to widen the main access gate to assist large vehicles to enter and exit the site.
It is planned that the compound will be active from 15 February 2022 until approximately July 2024. It will only be in operation when required, which will not be for the entirety of this period, but when in use the compound will be operating up to 24-hours a day, which will generate a low to moderate level of noise.
Below is a diagram showing the improved location and layout of the temporary compound. The machine stabling will be placed furthest away from the houses to reduce noise and disturbance. The compound will include:
Temporary office
Staff welfare facility and toilet units
Containers for storage
Fuel bowser and generator
Car parking spaces”
Network Rail’s latest compound plans
Cllr Stephen Fenton commented “I’m pleased that Network Rail have organised this event to provide residents with an opportunity to quiz the Network Rail team about the plans and the impact that the compound is likely to have on neighbouring households. I remain concerned in particular about the proposed vehicular access arrangements onto Moor Lane – I note that Network Rail is in contact with council officers about this and would hope and expect there to be a thorough safety assessment undertaken.”
Councillor Stephen Fenton has welcomed a decision by Network Rail to move a proposed compound further away from homes on Moor Lane.
In February, residents and councillors were shocked to receive notification that Network Rail planned to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton until February 2024. Network Rail said that it would be used to provide access to the railway, to store materials and machinery and to house staff welfare facilities.
The initial plans would have seen the compound located 40 metres away from homes on Moor Lane. News of the plans led directly to the sale of a home falling through at the last minute, causing the residents considerable distress. Cllr Fenton called on Network Rail to pause their plans and listen to the concerns expressed by local residents.
Network Rail have now announced that they are proposing to move the compound further downfield to help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site. This move will place the site approximately 120 metres away from houses.
Network Rail have written to nearby residents with this information and have promised to host a community event via Microsoft Teams in the near future so that residents can find out more and ask any questions. No date has been set for work to begin on the site, but Network Rail have said that they will give residents at least one month’s notice.
Stephen commented:
“I am pleased that Network Rail have come up with a new proposal that will move the compound further way from homes on Moor Lane. It’s just a pity that this has come after two months of worry and stress for many affected residents, which could have been avoided if Network Rail has engaged with residents and local councillors earlier.
“I welcome the commitment to hold an engagement event, which will be important as there remain many unanswered questions around how highway safety will be managed on a very busy road, and what steps will be taken to minimise the nuisance to residents caused by the operation of the compound.”
Network Rail have also provided a Q&A on the compound plans.
Q1. Why have you chosen to put the proposed temporary compound where it is?
Due to the location of work and where we need to access the track, we looked at the area between York and Dringhouses to identify a section of available land where we would cause the least disruption to surrounding neighbours and locate it away from as many houses as possible.
Once created, the proposed compound in Dringhouses will be one of several linked compounds between York to Church Fenton, which must all be on the same side of the tracks, closest to the two lines where our major work is being undertaken. These compounds have to be spaced around two kilometres apart to enable effective access to the track to carry out the work as efficiently as possible.
We will be doing all we can to make sure we cause the least disruption to neighbours which is why we propose moving the compound location further away from houses. This also includes closely monitoring noise, traffic and light, as well as strictly enforcing our staff on site to be mindful they are working in a residential area. We will continue to explore what further options are available to help reduce disruption from the site and will present these to you at the aforementioned community event.
Q2.How long will the proposed temporary compound be in place?
As yet, we have not established an exact start on-site-date. All we can say currently is that we anticipate it will open later this year and we aim to provide you with clarity around dates in due course. Once opened, the compound will stay in operation until approximately February 2024.
Q3. How far away from the houses is the proposed temporary compound?
The closest house will be approximately 123 metres away from the operating compound. The machine stabling where all machinery will be stored has been placed furthest away from the houses, nearer to the track, to reduce noise and disturbance to residents. The new location further downfield means that the access road to get to it will be longer. Tree cover will mean the compound is less visually intrusive.
Q4. How will the compound impact the traffic in the area and what studies have been undertaken?
As part of our work on the revised compound, we will consider impacts on local roads and measures to manage traffic and any anticipated disruption. More information about the outputs of this assessment will be communicated in due course.
Q5. What level of noise should residents expect to hear?
Once the proposed compound is open, due to it being operational 24-hours a day, this will generate low-moderate noise. Overnight work will start to increase when we begin the piling work, but we do not have work schedules to share just yet. The Road Rail Access Point, once created, will be used regularly during the day and night. We will inform residents in advance of any noisy work due to take place and provide details as to what we are doing to minimise it.
Q6.How will worker behaviour be managed?
Our teams will be briefed and are mindful that they will be working close to our neighbours and the disturbance this can cause. This includes, not running car/van engines, no shouting, no littering. We will be enforcing these measures as strictly as possible.
Q7. Will lighting in the temporary compound come into my house?
We propose that there will be five tower lights placed within the compound (to be used at night) and positioned to ensure they do not directly shine at any houses. Night-time task lighting will also be used for work on track and angled so it does not disturb our lineside neighbours when it is dark.
Q8. What if there is damage to the road or verges?
If there is any damage to the roads or verges that residents have concern about and have been caused by the work taking place, these will be address by the project team and investigated.
Q9. Why did residents receive short notice about the temporary compound?
The original letter about the compound was mailed approximately ten days prior to the initial planned date to open the compound on 01 March. We had to wait to send this out to allow for the conclusion of the landowner lease agreement but appreciate insufficient information and notice was provided.
Q10. What is a topsoil bund?
Topsoil is the upper, outermost layer of soil, usually the top 5–10 inches. It has the highest concentration of organic matter and therefore is a valuable material for farmers. We have to keep this topsoil on site, neatly stored as an earth bank or bund, and it will be returned to the land once the compound is closed.
Following Cllr Stephen Fenton’s meeting with representatives on 24 February, Network Rail have confirmed that they intend to pause their Moor Lane compound plans until 19 March to allow for meaningful engagement and dialogue with residents.
It is not clear what form this engagement will take, but this is a welcome move. We will share further information as and when it is available.
Cllr Stephen Fenton met with Network Rail representatives on 24 February to ask them to pause plans to establish a compound on land off Moor Lane until February 2024.
News of the proposed compound location came as a surprise to residents who received a letter from Network Rail on Friday 19 February. When asked whether the compound needed planning permission, Network Rail confirmed that it does not. They said:
“The Moor Lane construction compound benefits from deemed planning permission granted by virtue of Part 4, Class A of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. Therefore, the compound does not require planning permission from the local planning authority in this instance.”
In response to the request for a pause, the Network Rail representatives at the meeting wouldn’t commit to this but said they would consider this request internally and come back with a response, hopefully in the next few days. Stephen said that he would be happy to meet Network Rail again at a time of their choosing.
Network Rail expressed a willingness to undertake more meaningful dialogue with local residents and Stephen suggested that the proposed pause would enable them to have these conversations and address issues of concern.
Network Rail committed to providing contact details for a senior colleague who will be able to liaise with the residents at 21 Moor Lane whose almost-completed house sale was scuppered by news of the compound plans.
During the meeting, Stephen was able to obtain some details of the proposed compound’s layout and operation.
The proposed compound is one of a number that Network Rail have established or are planning to establish to support the line upgrade work. Ideally they need to be no more than 1.5km apart. To the north of Moor Lane they will have a compound at the Model Railway site off North Lane, and to the south they will have a compound off Tadcaster Road near Copmanthorpe
The compounds all need to be on the same side of the tracks, as it is the two lines nearest to the field that are being upgraded. This is why Network Rail discounted using land near the new Askham Bar P&R site, as it would be on the ‘wrong side of the tracks’
Network Rail said that that they have been in touch with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust about impacts on Askham Bog
Network Rail is setting up a ‘logistics hub’ elsewhere at which as much of the ‘build’ work will be done as possible, with materials then being transported to their compounds
The compound surface will have a stone dressing and will be surrounded by a two-metre high metal fence
Trackside work will be done during daytime and at night, for which they will use ‘task lighting.’ This work will include ‘sheet piling’
The compound will be lit with ‘tower lights’ with hoods, multi-directional lighting will not be used
There’ll be parking on site for up to 15 cars
The Network Rail representatives at the meeting weren’t aware of any traffic safety impact assessment having been undertaken, but said they would come back on that point
Separately, Stephen has contacted the council’s Public Protection team to alert them to residents’ concerns about the potential for nuisance and disturbance to be caused by the compound’s operation.
Liberal Democrat councillors for Dringhouses & Woodthorpe have called on Network Rail to pause controversial plans to establish a compound on land on Moor Lane in Dringhouses.
Residents and councillors were notified on Friday 19 February by Network Rail that they planned to establish a compound to support the programme of work on the line between York and Church Fenton from March 2021 to February 2024. Network Rail say that it would be used to provide access to the railway, to store materials and machinery and to house staff welfare facilities.
When asked whether they had secured planning permission for the compound, Network Rail responded that “The Moor Lane construction compound benefits from deemed planning permission granted by virtue of Part 4, Class A of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. Therefore, the compound does not require planning permission from the local planning authority in this instance.”
Network Rail’s plans have already had an impact on the local community. The residents at 21 Moor Lane were due to complete their house sale, however, after informing the buyers of the proposed compound, the buyer pulled out citing this issue as the reason.
Local councillors have demanded a meeting with Network Rail and have called on them to pause their compound plans.
“Residents and councillors are completely in the dark about how this compound will operate. We have no clue how the risk of disturbance to neighbouring properties will be managed, how site traffic will be managed and what other sites were considered before choosing this one” said Cllr Stephen Fenton.
“Network Rail say that they don’t need planning permission, but that is no excuse for riding roughshod over the concerns of the local community. These plans need to be paused so that residents’ legitimate concerns can be addressed.”
Local councillors have received an e-mail from Network Rail advising that they are to establish a temporary compound on land off Moor Lane next to the railway line, which will be in use from March 2021 to February 2024.
Compound location
The compound will be used to support the programme of work on the line between York and Church Fenton, which relates to the Transpennine Upgrade. This will provide more capacity and faster journeys between Manchester Victoria and York, via Leeds and Huddersfield.
The site will allow Network Rail staff safe access to the railway and will also be used to store materials, machinery and essential welfare facilities.
Network Rail is sending letters to nearby residents in which they state that whilst measures will be taken to keep noise to a minimum, some level of disruption will be unavoidable. Network Rail has committed to keeping disturbance levels as low as possible.
Local councillors have requested a meeting with Network Rail to get more detail on the measures that will be put in place to minimise the impact on neighbours.
Councillor Stephen Fenton has welcomed news which suggests that much-needed resurfacing work on Moor Lane in Woodthorpe may be undertaken in the 2023/24 financial year.
The road surface on Moor Lane – between Cairnborrow and Eden Close in particular – has continued to deteriorate rapidly, posing a hazard for motorists and cyclists. Some potholes have been filled, but others invariably appear and the surface is now a badly rutted patchwork.
Stephen has received an e-mail from the council’s Highways team (copied below) which offers some hope that resurfacing works will be undertaken.
“We are recommending that sections of this road will be considered for resurfacing in the 2023-24 financial year. However, it should be noted that we are concerned in regards to this particular asset in terms of the construction itself and any surfacing will be subject to further engineering investigation. There are clues in the name of some of the roads in the locality (Moor Lane, Bog Lane etc) and the engineering investigation works will allow us to better understand the ground conditions to ensure we have an effective solution; in other words we believe that there may be subsurface and original design/construction issues which are compounding the surface issue and we wouldn’t want to just add another surface layer without at least fully understanding all of the issues and ensuring value for money. Obviously in the meantime we will continue our inspections and make good defects in accordance with our Highways Safety Inspection Manual.”
A further drop-in session is being held to provide residents and businesses with an opportunity to look at detailed plans and clarify aspects of the Tadcaster Road sustainable transport scheme. The session will be held at St Edward the Confessor Church Hall on Sunday 8 January 12.30 – 4pm.
The main construction works for the scheme are due to start during the week commencing 2nd January 2023, with an estimated completion date of September 2023. Works will be carried out Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 6pm. No works are expected to take place during the weekends, but if required the working hours will be Saturday 9.15am to 4pm and Sunday 9 am to 4pm.
There are no overnight works planned during the early stages of the scheme. If required, these may be during the final stages for road surfacing works. Residents and businesses will be notified in advance should this be the case.
Contractor, Jackson Civil Engineering, have set up site compounds at Sim Balk Lane (main compound) and the Knavesmire (smaller sub-compound).
Construction of the main works including new bus, walking and cycling improvements will take place at the same time as much needed highway maintenance work to upgrade the drainage, street lighting and road and footpath surfacing. Delivering these works at the same time will help to minimise the amount of disruption to residents, businesses and the users of Tadcaster Road.
The scheme is being delivered by City of York Council in partnership with the Department for Transport (Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund : £5m) and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Transforming Cities Fund : £1.4m).
Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.
Full details can be found by clicking the application reference
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Abbeyfield House Regency Mews York
Variation of condition 1 of permitted application 21/01653/FUL to amended site plan and site compound plan to allow felling and additional work to be carried out on trees T4, T5, T9, T10, T11, T12, T13 & cluster G1
Certificate of lawfulness for proposed development of first floor dormer to front, single storey side and rear extensions following demolition of side extension
