To receive a report by Mr Dylan Bowen, Network Rail.
Minutes:
Sam Hadley, Public
Affairs Manager and Sian Lewis, Commercial Scheme Sponsor (Network Rail), were
welcomed to the meeting.
(A)
Sam
Hadley explained that he would be attending the meetings of this committee in
future and Members were encouraged to contact him directly with any matters of
concern. He responded to the formal
questions submitted and noted as follows:
(a)
Talwrn Bach, Llanbedr level crossing - what is the
latest regarding the installation of bars on the level crossing bearing in mind
that transport increases over this crossing daily and there would be even more
transport as the village hall is re-located (temporarily) to the airfield site.
Several members
supported the same concerns as Councillor Annwen Hughes, local member for
Llanbedr, and that it was a matter that had been raised by this committee for
many years and that there was a real need to solve the matter once and for
all.
In response, it was
explained that a site inspection would be undertaken at the end of the year and
it was promised that the Member Support Officer would be informed and that a
comprehensive report would be submitted as well as a development
timetable.
(b)
Litter
on the railway in the Cricieth area, specifically on the eastern side of the
town from Black Rock to Morannedd.
(c)
A
number of trees and shrubs had overgrown along the railway - what were Network
Rail's plans to cut/manage growth and to eradicate Japanese Knotweed?
In response, it was
explained that Network Rail was getting rid of litter but there was a need to
prioritise e.g. there was currently a huge clear-up project in Flintshire in
light of the fact that the Urdd National Eisteddfod had been held there with
the local authority providing skips and staff to assist.
In terms of a
vegetation programme, if any growth was problematic it was confirmed that it
would be prioritised. In terms of
Japanese Knotweed, Network Rail had a legal responsibility to get rid of it if
it spread on third party land. The local member was asked to provide details of
specific locations where Japanese Knotweed was problematic and it would be
followed up without delay.
(ch) Litter between
Penychain and Pwllheli.
Again, the officer
confirmed that he would deal with the above and that Network Rail was much more
responsive in north Wales and any collaboration with local Councils was
welcomed.
Resolved: (a)
To thank the officer for the response and to ask him to follow-up without
delay.
(b)
That Councillor Eirwyn Williams provided details of specific locations where
Japanese Knotweed was spreading on third party land so that the Operational
Maintenance Co-ordinator could address the problem.
(B)
A
presentation in the form of a slide-show was received from Sian Lewis,
Commercial Scheme Sponsor (Network Rail), on the background of the Barmouth
Viaduct, the work so far, the scope of the work programme as well as risks and
challenges associated with the repair work on an iconic listed (Grade II)
viaduct.
Work undertaken to
date was outlined namely:
·
Site
visits during summer 2015 to determine the current condition of the viaduct
·
Production
of a report of high level options for metallic and timber structures
·
Meeting
with stakeholders such as the Barmouth Viaduct Access Group (B-VAG)
·
Meetings
with CADW, Gwynedd Council and Snowdonia National Park
It was noted that
the work had been divided into two parts namely Urgent Work and Development
Work and the scope of the work was outlined as follows:
Urgent Work:
·
Development
plan to undertake repairs on the steel structure
·
Work
included replacing rivets and other similar materials
·
An
initial design was expected by the end of May
·
It was
aimed for it to be submitted to CADW and local authorities in June / July
·
Approval
of initial design during the summer
·
Detailed
design to be developed in October 2016
·
Commence
on the site in Spring 2017
Development Work:
·
Develop
and produce an options report during the summer
·
Submit
it to CADW and local authorities in September 2016
·
Further
meetings with CADW and local authorities were anticipated during the Autumn to
agree on a preferred option, and it was hoped that it would be held by the end
of the year.
·
Currently,
it was estimated that the design would take a year or more due to the sensitive
nature of the structure.
·
Actual
work on the site to follow sometime in 2018
·
Each
one of the above would depend on the initial design stages and on consultation
with the stakeholders
In the context of
the challenges faced, it was noted that these would include:
·
Consulting
with the stakeholders
·
Permissions
/ conditions for a listed structure
·
Ecological
/ environmental requirements
·
Unsure
of the duration of the work and how much disturbance it would cause on the
railway
Members were given an opportunity to ask questions to the officer and
the following points were highlighted:
(a) An appeal was
made by the Chairman and the Member of Parliament - Dwyfor/Meirionnydd to be realistic
with the work programme bearing in mind the previous difficulties with the
delay that derived from repair work on Briwet Bridge, Penrhyndeudraeth and it
was hoped that lessons had been learnt from this. Also, the importance of collaboration with
Arriva Trains Wales was noted and an appeal was made for Network Rail to do
so.
(b) Importance of informing the public of what
is taking place
(c) Assurance was requested that the footpath
near the bridge would remain open and collaboration with Gwynedd Council was
encouraged to this end.
(d) The A496 was a very busy highway and
dangerous in light of the number of accidents that had occurred recently and
that a 40 m.p.h speed limit for the road should be considered. Should there be
an accident on the road in question, this would mean having to divert
passengers for approximately 60 miles.
Resolved: To
accept, note and thank the officer for the presentation