Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development summarising the progress made as a result of ongoing consultation with Network Rail regarding works proposed under the Transpennine Route Upgrade Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) for the East of Leeds. The report also seeks agreement to the proposed response to the TWAO, as detailed, and approval of the letter appended to the report which sets out the Council’s current and substantive position.

The Director of City Development submitted a report summarising the progress made as a result of ongoing consultation with Network Rail regarding works proposed under the Transpennine Route Upgrade Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) for the East of Leeds. In addition to outlining the key consultation undertaken to date, the report also provided details of the works proposed in the TWAO and concerns identified. Finally, the report sought support for the Council’s proposed approach in response to the TWAO, and approval of the letter appended to the report which set out the Council’s current and substantive position.

In introducing the report, the Executive Member highlighted the key points within it and the significant implications arising from the proposed TWAO.

A Member made enquiries regarding the actions which were proposed to mitigate the disruption to those communities directly affected and also the wider area, and the processes for the associated communications strategy. In response, the significance of the wide ranging impact arising from this project was highlighted. As a result, the importance of the associated consultation process as referenced within the report together with the appended letter proposed to be submitted Network Rail were underlined, as the Council would look to use these processes to demonstrate its views and raise its concerns, with the aim of such matters being taken into consideration moving forward as part of the formal TWAO process.

A concern was raised on the proposals specifically affecting a public right of way in Micklefield.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposed Transpennine Route Upgrade Transport and Works Act Order for the East of Leeds, be noted;

(b)  That the approach to respond to the TWAO under the Director of City Development’s delegation scheme within the statutory 42-day period, as detailed within the submitted report, be supported;

(c)  That the letter to the Programme Director of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, as detailed at Appendix B to the submitted report, which sets out the Council’s current and substantive position, be approved.