To receive
a report by Mr Sam Hadley, Network Rail.
Minutes:
Mr
Sam Hadley, Wales Route Public Affairs Manager, Ms Sally Biggs and Mr James
Widdowson were all welcomed to the meeting.
(a)
With regard to the urgent works to be carried out to the Barmouth Viaduct, Ms
Sally Biggs stated that the work would be starting on 12th June
until 14th July and would not affect the train traffic since the
work would be carried out between 12.00 midnight and 5.00 a.m. In response to a query from a member with
regard to signage at each end of the Mawddach pathway, it was stated that there
will probably be watchmen on duty at the site.
It
was further noted that these urgent works undertaken will determine what other
work would be required in the longer term and hopefully the officers would be
able to report further with additional information at the next meeting of this
Committee.
In
response the Chairman stated that communication is very important to members of
this Committee and the public and requested with regard to any developments
that the information be forwarded to the Members Support Officer in order that
it is disseminated to the members.
A
member who serves on the Snowdonia Access Forum was reassured that the Mawddach
Trail and which forms part of the coastal path would be kept open.
With
regard to the 150th celebration anniversary of the viaduct, it was
stated that a separate meeting between Councillor Trevor Roberts and the
relevant officers would be held to discuss the matter.
(b)
Mr James Widdowson, gave a brief introduction of his role within Network Rail,
by stating that he was responsible for the maintenance team which manages
vegetation cutting / encroachment, invasive plants, ditches, flooding,
etc.
(b)
Congratulations were extended to Network Rail for the work carried out to
cutting back the overgrowth between the main road and the railway line in the
Aberdyfi area but concern was expressed about the safety of road users due to
the inadequate fencing which had been put up between Gogarth Halt and Aberdyfi. Also it was brought to the officers’
attention that an object most probably had come off a lorry and was lying along
the railway line and had been there over the past two weeks.
(c) In response to the above, Mr Widdowson
stated that Network Rail’s policy is to replace fencing like for like and it
may well be that this is the case but that he would speak to the contractor who
carried out the work.
(d) The relevant officers responded to
members’ verbal questions as follows:
·
Mr
Widdowson agreed to ask one of his team to have a look at Dyffryn Ardudwy
Railway Station Car Park in terms of health and safety which according to the
member does need resurfacing and marking out with disabled spaces
·
Mr
Sam Hadley promised to follow up the bilingual signs on the lifts at
Machynlleth Station
·
With
regard to drainage problems, Ms Sally Biggs stated that Network Rail would be
carrying out an assessment and any drainage problems would be resolved
following this assessment
Formal
written questions had been submitted by Members of this Committee / Community Councils / and individuals which
were addressed as follows:
(i)
Lack of engagement with the
Users, Access Group and Gwynedd Council regarding the work carried out at
Dyffryn Ardudwy Car Park which resulted in a new access being created to the road, a gate was
installed but there was a stone stopping the gate opening. When vehicles went over the road, the gate
was restricting the gate to the station opening. It was further of concern that Network Rail
had not consulted with the Community Council, the Meirionnydd Access Group and
as a result they had received numerous complaints regarding mobility problems
in accessing the station. It was further
suggested that the best solution would be the installation of barriers with
automatic lights.
In
response to the above, Mr Sam Hadley stated that the work was carried out by
off-track team, addressing concerns raised by the level crossing keeper due to
people crossing in front of trains after alighting therefore safety was
paramount and the intention was to quickly address an identified safety
concern. Mr Hadley apologised most
sincerely that they had made a mistake and are aware of the circumstances, lessons had been learnt and an additional
“sense check” will now be mandatory as part of works assessment in situations
like this in the future. He stressed that Network Rail does recognise the
importance of Access Groups. With
regard to the level crossing gate, he would have to discuss this further with
colleagues and as regards the installation of barriers this would be a long
term issue to resolve.
(ii)
Lack of Lighting in
Llwyngwril Station Car Park – Mr Hadley stated that any new lighting in the car park would be an
enhancement and Network Rail have no current funding for this. However, there may be potential for community
relations impact and if there is funding available this will be considered.
(iii)
In
response to the above answer, Councillor Louise Hughes, the local member for
Llwyngwril who was present at the meeting, stated that she understood from an
e-mail received by her from Network Rail that there was funding available and
went on to ask whether there was a possibility of obtaining a “motion light”
from the station to the car park.
(iv)
In
response, Mr Hadley stated that he would be happy to discuss the matter further
with his colleagues.
(v)
Crash barriers/boundary
wall – Main Road (A493) – between Llwyngwril and Friog - Mr Hadley stated that this matter requires further investigation and
indeed stressed the importance of collaboration with Gwynedd Council. This is now part of Network Rail’s agenda and
it is the intention of two senior asset engineers to visit the site on the
afternoon of 29th March 2017.
In response, the Chairman read out an e-mail received from Gwynedd
Council’s Area Engineer stating that the crash barriers falls within Network
Rail’s responsibility and meetings had taken place on site between officers of
Gwynedd Council and Network Rail when it had been stated the importance of the
crash barriers in terms of public safety.
Gwynedd Consultancy had offered Network Rail to carry out the work on
their behalf, but they need an official order to do this. It was further
requested that Mr Adrian Williams, Meirionnydd Area Engineer, and the local
member, Councillor Louise Hughes, be invited to attend the site meeting on the
29th.
(vi)
Up-date on the work to
improve the surfacing on the Criccieth crossing following a pedestrian
accident? - The maintenance team had only looked at Merlyn
Crossing and it was made clear at the meeting that an accident had also
happened when a pedestrian slipped on the crossing located in the centre of
Criccieth. It was suggested that Mr
James Widdowson speaks further to Councillor Eirwyn Williams about the
incidents.
(vii)
Talwrn Bach Crossing,
Llanbedr –
In response to a request by the local member of an up-date regarding this
crossing, Mr Hadley stated that there were plans to up-grade in 2018 and if
there are any changes he promised to up-date this Committee as soon as he
becomes aware of any developments.
Resolved - To receive, note and thank the
officers for their reports and attendance at the meeting.