Agenda item
Haxby Train Station
Ian Stokes, Principal Transport Planner, will give an update on plans for a rail station at Haxby and answer questions
Minutes:
5. Haxby Rail Station
5.1 Ian Stokes, Principal Transport Planner, and Paul Brand, Transport Planner, attended to provide an update on progress. He used a presentation to summarise information:
5.2 A rail station at Haxby had been an aspiration for many years, to provide a shuttle service and utilising existing Scarborough-York service with links to Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool. A strong business case had been made.
5.3 The station meets various local transport objectives, including tackling congestion, improving accessibility for all, safety, improving air quality and general quality of life and supporting the local economy.
5.4 The proposed station will have two platforms connected by a footbridge with ramps or lifts; will have a ticket office and waiting room, staffed at peak hours; a car park of around 80 spaces; and an hourly service in both directions.
5.5 Projections show potential for 190k passengers per year (around 530 average per day) with 44% travelling to York and 40% to Leeds. Forty per cent will come from under 1km away and 80% from under 2km away. Anticipated that majority will be walking/cycling to station or using local bus service.
5.6 Progress in the last year has included Regional Funding Advice Programme and commitment from Network Rail to part fund costs from their Transpennine Express service. Construction expected early in 2013. Option 2 location selected as safer. Dedicated officer to be appointed to progress scheme
5.7 The expected timetable is: for other studies and detailed designs to be completed by September 2010; planning permission to be submitted mid 2011; work to start on site early 2012 and for work to be completed on site early 2013.
5.8 Further work will include detailed design/studies on operational railway (track work, signalling, impact on level crossing and timetabling); travel to station options and mitigation of impacts; car parking, re-siting of allotments and landscaping.
5.9 Local involvement and consultation will continue through the formal planning process and various informal means to find out what the issues are and identify solutions. Information will be provided to residents, including the detailed scheme design.
5.10 Residents asked the following questions and made the following comments:
Q: How far will the station be from the other level crossing at Haxby Gates?
A: 250m. Have looked at impact on both level crossings. Railtrack can put in signalling measures to mitigate any effects through their Fast track scheme
C: The project is not financially viable
A: Network Rail have made a judgement that it is financially worth taking forward
Q: Will the car park be free?
A: This is a decision for the operating company
C: Thanks for presentation. Station will have adverse impact on Haxby in terms of additional traffic generated. Are rumours of a 500 dwelling estate which will lead to parking on roads and the station becoming a railway park and ride. Not a local station for local people
A: A traffic impact assessment was carried out in 1999 as part of the early studies. It predicted a 2.8% increase in local traffic. A further traffic impact assessment may be carried out as part of the planning permission process. Traffic signals on B1663 will assist.
C: Only one consultation so far. A: There will be further consultation
A: Business case was refreshed for submission 2008. Evidence was gathered by Transpennine using specialist consultants and used experience from other similar stations elsewhere
C: What about allotments? Also, extraordinary to be spending such large sums at this time (£7m)
A: Alternative allotments of suitable quality will be provided. As far as money is concerned, Network Rail would not have gone as far as this if were not confident of recouping revenue. Use by local people is down to individuals – council policy to widen choice