Network Rail backtrack on compound plans

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. 

Latest planning applications for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

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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8 Nelsons Lane York YO24 1HD

Fell Lawson Leylandii tree in a Conservation Area

Ref. No: 21/00642/TCA 

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54 Eden Close York YO24 2RD

First floor rear and single storey front extensions

Ref. No: 21/00618/FUL 

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80 Moor Lane Acomb York YO24 2QY

First floor rear extension

Ref. No: 21/00611/FUL 

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York College Sim Balk Lane York YO23 2BB

Siting of marquee for temporary period until July 2022 (retrospective)

Ref. No: 21/00604/FUL 

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received

UPDATE – Network Rail agree to pause compound plans

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.

Network Rail to consider plea to pause Moor Lane compound plan

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.

Councillors call on Network Rail to pause Moor Lane compound plans

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.”

Network Rail to establish compound on Moor Lane

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.

Winter weather impacts on road surfaces

The winter weather has taken its toll on a number of local roads, where potholes and deteriorating road surfaces present a hazard to all road users.

Local councillors are lobbying the council’s Highways team to fill in the multiple potholes that have appeared on Alness Drive after an initial response stated ‘no action required.’ Some potholes have since been marked for repair, but others have not.

Alness Drive potholes

It is a similar story on Moor Lane between Cairnborrow and Eden Close, where there has been a dramatic deterioration in the road surface over recent months. As well as potholes, large sections of the highway previously ‘surface dressed’ have crumbled, leading to a thick layer of debris accumulating by the kerbside. This poses a particular hazard for cyclists.

Moor Lane potholes and crumbling road surfaces

Councillors will continue to undertake regular inspections of roads and footpaths and report repairs where they are needed. We would encourage residents to notify us of any we may have missed.

Latest planning applications for Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

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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22 Highmoor Close York YO24 2UG

Erection of detached dwellinghouse following demolition of existing attached garage to 22 Highmoor Close

Ref. No: 20/01338/FUL 

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10 Miterdale York YO24 2SX

Single storey rear extension

Ref. No: 20/01341/FUL 

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7 Eden Close York YO24 2RD

Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension and new 1.8m high boundary fence to side boundary with Spey Bank.

Ref. No: 20/01349/FUL 

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86 Middlethorpe Grove York YO24 1JY

Single storey rear extension

Ref. No: 20/01324/FUL 

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105 Middlethorpe Grove York YO24 1JX

Two storey side extension

Ref. No: 20/01299/FUL 

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61 Moor Lane Acomb York YO24 2QX

Erection of single storey extension extending 4.0 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.7 metres and a total height of 3.0 metres

Ref. No: 20/01108/LHE 

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received

Clarification over Moor Lane road works

City of York Council has clarified that Moor Lane in Woodthorpe will NOT be closed whilst works are undertaken to remove cats eyes and apply a surface dressing.

A sign had appeared at the roadside suggesting that the road would be closed on Tuesday 28 April between 9am and 7pm. This is not correct and the sign is to be amended.

Incorrect sign

The council has now confirmed that the cats eye removal work will take place on Tuesday 28 April between 6pm and 9pm, and that the road will not be closed. In order to carry out these works safely, the use of ‘Stop / Go’ traffic control boards will be used whilst works are taking place to manage lane closures, together with the use of a lead vehicle convoy system to guide traffic past the works at a safe and constant speed.

A press release issued by the council stated that ‘resurfacing works’ would be undertaken on Sunday 3 May between 9.30am to 11am. The nature and extent of the works has now been clarified following a request from ward councillors. We are advised that a ‘surface dressing’ will be applied to the road surface. ‘Stop / Go’ boards will again be in use.

We have asked that whilst these works are being done, the opportunity is taken to sort out the very deep potholes on Askham Lane just before the A1237 roundabout.

Resurfacing boost for Moor Lane

City of York Council has announced that the stretch of Moor Lane from the ring road roundabout to Cairnborrow is to be resurfaced in November.

The news comes after residents and local Lib Dem councillors raised the deteriorating state of the road, particularly on the bend.

The works will commence on 25th November for a period of 3 nights (weather permitting) and works will be carried out between 7.30pm and 5.00am.   In order to carry out these works safely the use of a temporary road closure from the ring road to the junction with Cairnborrow will be necessary. A clearly signed diversion route will be set out for through traffic.