To receive a report by Mr Dylan Bowen, Network Rail.
Minutes:
No written report was submitted by Network Rail, however, Mr
Dylan Bowen reported verbally on the following developments:
(i) That Network Rail had written to the
stakeholders to advise that there would
be a delay with the work of completing the lift at Machynlleth
Station until March 2016. Due to the weather forecast for this weekend,
it would be impossible to use the
crane and it was trusted that the work could be completed by March.
(ii) In response to the above, a Member stated
his disappointment and that only one
platform could be used and in addition passengers had to wait at Dyfi Junction. Having
said this, it was felt that the provision when in place would be a huge improvement.
(i)
In response to a question by Councillor Owain
Williams regarding concern about the delay at Dyfi
Junction specifically for passengers from Machynlleth
to Pwlheli, Mr Bowen explained that in terms of
upgrading the route for road-users Network Rail would be more than willing to
collaborate with a third party to provide a plan but it would be more
beneficial if such a plan could be included in a wider transport plan. It was
stressed that Network Rail would not be responsible as the main driver of any
plan in terms of funding but it was ensured that they would collaborate with
authorities and he made reference to examples where such plans had been
operated to provide car parks in South Wales.
(ii)
It was suggested that an item to discuss Dyfi Junction should be referred to the joint meeting of
the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth Railway Committee and the Cambrian Coast Railway
Committee that would take place on 27 November 2015 at y Plas,
Machynlleth.
(v) In terms of Cllr Gethin Williams' question
regarding implementing a moratorium
on Barmouth Bridge payments during the
planning/repair period, Mr Bowen noted
that he had discussed the matter earlier with the Member. It was noted further that Network Rail was
in the same position as Gwynedd Council regarding having to find savings with a
target to find approximately 20% over the next period. However, discussions
were continuing with Gwynedd Council regarding repairing the bridge with the
intention of reducing maintenance costs.
It was currently premature to report fully but it was noted that initial
discussions were on-going between Network Rail and relevant stakeholders including
Gwynedd Council and the Snowdonia National Park and CADW.
(vi) Mr David Roberts referred to concern
regarding land in the ownership of Network
Rail called Bryn Llestair (Picnic Island) and he was
aware that the South Snowdonia Access
Forum had contacted Network Rail regarding the land
yet they had not received a response. The land was used by approximately 1,000 students from Outward
Bound Wales.
(iii)
In
response to the above, Mr Bowen noted that he was not aware of the matter,
however, if the South Snowdonia Access Forum could contact him and/or via the
Member Support Officer he gave an assurance that he would follow the matter up.
(viii) Concern
was expressed by Councillor Dewi Owen regarding the excessive overgrowth on
land in the ownership of Network Rail between the A493 boundary wall and
the railway. It was noted that there were sharp corners on the highway in
question and there was a real need to cut back the overgrowth to prevent any
accidents.
(ix) In
response to the above, Mr Bowen noted that Network Rail had a successful vegetation management plan and that
railway safety was a priority for Network Rail. It was suggested that if the
Member noted the exact location of the overgrowth and forwarded this to the
Member Support Officer she could then send this on to Mr Bowen to follow up. It
was further noted that Members could contact the 24 hour helpline with any
issues of concern and if they were not
satisfied with the response then they could contact Mr Bowen directly.
Resolved: (a) To request that the Member Support
Officer refers the above matters to Mr Dylan Bowen for further attention.
(b) To
refer an item to discuss Dyfi Junction to the joint
meeting of the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth Railway Committee and the Cambrian Coast
Railway Committee to take place on 27 November 2015 at y Plas,
Machynlleth.