New proposed freight hub - Leicestershire

[InTheEastMids]

There are enough terminals in this area.

I haven't seen this raised as a consideration for refusal.

Only if you go via Ely and Peterborough from Felixstowe. That isnt awash with capacity.

Network Rail were supportive of the development with their report saying there is sufficient network capacity against forecast demand (I didn't get as far as trying to find out what that forecast demand was)

 

[The Planner]

Network Rail were supportive of the development with their report saying there is sufficient network capacity against forecast demand (I didn't get as far as trying to find out what that forecast demand was)

Based on the cross country route? I am surprised.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Based on the cross country route? I am surprised.

The report is here:

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR050007/TR050007-002158-NRIL%20-%20Summary%20Rail%20Report%20v4.2%20clean.pdf

Haven't read the detail, and probably wouldn't understand it if I tried

Is the Secretary of State aware that she is supposed to be supporting a 75% increase in rail freight?

I would draw your attention to paragraphs 96-103 of the decision letter (link below). It's possible to disagree, but at least it's all there to be read if you want to.

the Secretary of State is satisfied that there is a compelling need for the Proposed Development both nationally and in the south-west Leicestershire area, and that the creation of job opportunities, the facilitation of the transfer of freight from road to rail

It has been refused for site/application-specific reasons that mainly relate to road networks around the site

the negative impacts that are expected to occur as a result of the Proposed Development (paragraphs 98 – 102 above), and in particular highlights the potential highways safety risk in the village of Sapcote, the non-compliance with the road safety requirements in the NPSNN and the lack of adequate modelling at the M1 J21/ M69 J3

On the last point ("adequate modelling"). The applicant has an extensive track record of developing similar sites. So, if they could not provide "adequate modelling" given all that was at stake, we might want to consider if that was a conscious choice (e.g. because they suspected National Highways would not like the answer)

Link to Decision Letter: https://infrastructure.planninginsp...007-002725-Refusal Letter - Hinckley NRFI.pdf

 

[Class 170101]

She also said she was concerned about a "potential highways safety risk" in Sapcote and the impact proposed 775-metre long trains would have at the level crossing at Narborough.

Also level crossings proving to be a problem.

Note there is also another single line section between Syston South and East Jns and long block sections between Leicester and Peterborough.

 

[Trainman40083]

On earlier news articles on TV, there was concern about thousands of workers accessing the site down what is currently country lanes..Add in a few thousand lorries, then the known capacity issues on the Cross Country line from Felixstowe towards Nuneaton and it would have been interesting.

 

[m0ffy]

My reading of it is that the M1/M69 junction isn’t up to the job. And that would be a correct assessment, it is woefully inadequate and suffers enormous congestion approaching and during peak times.

 

[swt_passenger]

My reading of it is that the M1/M69 junction isn’t up to the job. And that would be a correct assessment, it is woefully inadequate and suffers enormous congestion approaching and during peak times.

Of course the M69 carriageways approaching the junction with the M1 were split apart as originally built to allow for a straight ahead route to merge with the northward M1, but it’s never been progressed. Not sure if there’s still a reserved route.

I guess a direct route from the M69 to the A46 towards Newark, (ie without joining the M1 at all), would be an obvious future benefit.

 

[ABB125]

Everyone knows that the M1/M69 junction is unfit for purpose. And presumably the applicant/their consultants were unable to manipulate the traffic modelling sufficiently to say that everything will be fine, and as a result the only way additional traffic can be safely accommodated is by adding in the free-flow north-facing sliproads that should have been built from the start. But that exceeds the developer's budget...

 

[InTheEastMids]

Of course the M69 carriageways approaching the junction with the M1 were split apart as originally built to allow for a straight ahead route to merge with the northward M1, but it’s never been progressed. Not sure if there’s still a reserved route.

There is a scheme called Leicester Western Access that seems to be being talked about. That's probably putting it quite strongly, as there is no public plan, funding etc., and it's probably quite complex because of the mess of local roads around Fosse / Grove Park.
Would be pleasantly surprised if anything got delivered before 2035.

is by adding in the free-flow north-facing sliproads

The M69 northbound to M1 northbound already exists. It's virtually every other route through the area that is delay-prone!