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- Dec 28, 2023
- 103
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Wixams station update.
www.bedfordindependent.co.uk
“Good progress” has been made on Wixams Railway Station, a meeting has heard.
Jon Shortland, chief officer for environment and chief officer for planning, infrastructure and economic growth, gave an update on the project at last week’s Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (21 March).
“We have received what’s called approval in principle for our design and that means it’s been signed off by all of the specialist areas within Network Rail,” he said.
“Network Rail and the various train operating companies who use the track through the Wixams have formally approved what’s called a network change document.
“That allows for the new station to be introduced into all of Network Rail’s systems.
“Network Rail has provided a cost range for the station’s construction which we consider to be acceptable.”
He added that provision for funding the station will be taken forward through the next update to the council’s Medium Term Financial Programme.
“And finally, the council last week signed something called a development services agreement with Network Rail which instructs them to undertake the detailed design of the station,” he said.
“That is the formal next stage of the process and we have commissioned Network Rail to undertake that work.”
The Committee heard that Network Rail will commence the detailed design by carrying out site surveys.
“Next the council will enter into something called an implementation agreement with Network Rail to follow on from the development services agreement.
“The first draft should be available to us from Network Rail by 12 April and the importance of that is that entering into this implementation will trigger the first tranche of payments to us under the section 106 agreements with the developers which are due in July 2024.
“That tranche of payments is for one-third of the money that’s owed to us, and there will be two further tranches of funding to follow in due course,” he said.
Two planning applications for the second footbridge and other amendments to previously approved applications will be heard at today’s Planning Committee (25 March).“
Wixams railway station making "good progress" - Bedford Independent
“Good progress” has been made on Wixams Railway Station, a meeting has heard.Jon Shortland, chief officer for environment and chief...
www.bedfordindependent.co.uk
“Good progress” has been made on Wixams Railway Station, a meeting has heard.
Jon Shortland, chief officer for environment and chief officer for planning, infrastructure and economic growth, gave an update on the project at last week’s Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (21 March).
“We have received what’s called approval in principle for our design and that means it’s been signed off by all of the specialist areas within Network Rail,” he said.
“Network Rail and the various train operating companies who use the track through the Wixams have formally approved what’s called a network change document.
“That allows for the new station to be introduced into all of Network Rail’s systems.
“Network Rail has provided a cost range for the station’s construction which we consider to be acceptable.”
He added that provision for funding the station will be taken forward through the next update to the council’s Medium Term Financial Programme.
“And finally, the council last week signed something called a development services agreement with Network Rail which instructs them to undertake the detailed design of the station,” he said.
“That is the formal next stage of the process and we have commissioned Network Rail to undertake that work.”
The Committee heard that Network Rail will commence the detailed design by carrying out site surveys.
“Next the council will enter into something called an implementation agreement with Network Rail to follow on from the development services agreement.
“The first draft should be available to us from Network Rail by 12 April and the importance of that is that entering into this implementation will trigger the first tranche of payments to us under the section 106 agreements with the developers which are due in July 2024.
“That tranche of payments is for one-third of the money that’s owed to us, and there will be two further tranches of funding to follow in due course,” he said.
Two planning applications for the second footbridge and other amendments to previously approved applications will be heard at today’s Planning Committee (25 March).“
Last edited:
- Jan 2, 2024
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- Mar 25, 2024
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There is activity on site today, a digger is clearing an area as well as 2 trucks being unloaded with barrier fencing and releated stuff. I’ll post drone footage later.
- Feb 19, 2024
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- Mar 25, 2024
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On the hard standing. Basically where the brickworks used to be.
- Dec 27, 2023
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The opening few seconds perfectly shows the sheer scale of that plot of land. The Brickworks spot is HUGE and it's not even a quarter of the size of the whole upper plot and then you realise they have two plots of that size.
- Feb 19, 2024
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There's also a second video that shows the barriers and some flag markers on the southern parcel of land.
- Dec 27, 2023
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What are those barriers used for apart from blocking entry? Driving pathways for site traffic?
They’re protecting the site from any…. uninvited occupants shall we say and in a way that doesn’t require planning.
Smart, likely from a security audit. This is a great sign.
Smart, likely from a security audit. This is a great sign.
Just about to say pretty much the same thing. But yea, this looks very positive, coupled with the digger doing it's thang, things are looking up.
Of course there's no guarantee it's gonna go ahead, but I've seen nothing to indicate that Universal have got cold feet.
- Mar 25, 2024
- 25
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Looks like they are protecting the entry points and around the back of the houses in manor road. I would assume they are doing some prep work for where the construction cabins and car parks will be. It makes sense to use the existing hard standing to setup base camp on. There is also a lot of Heras fencing (google it) that has recently been delivered to site.
Alright, to those that know, what degree of work can Universal do onsite before they need to put in planning permission? For example can they go ahead and clear the land completely and set up a porta-cabin type HQ or does that require planning permission?
- Mar 25, 2024
- 25
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I should think they will be allowed to do a lot of the groundwork’s, digging etc. but the cabins will probably need planning consent.
They will need to file for change of use before they can move ahead with any prep for construction, as of now they’re just protecting their site with non permanent options.
Although if the tree clearing mentioned is correct I’m surprised we haven’t seen anything for that yet.
They might be getting some special treatment which throws any normal process partially out of the window.
Just one more note, because it’s being said elsewhere this is not the start of construction, that would require proper fencing and warnings.
It’s also not land clearing, that digger is clearing a path for the concrete barriers.
This is simply to keep out vehicles, caravans… etc..
Exciting, yes. Construction, no.
It’s also not land clearing, that digger is clearing a path for the concrete barriers.
This is simply to keep out vehicles, caravans… etc..
Exciting, yes. Construction, no.
It all has to start somewhere!
The prep work that goes into any job is a massive project and with a site that was already developed I'm sure there will be a lot of work getting it ready for actual construction. Those concrete foundations from the brick works I'd assume (if it's the same in the UK as here in the US) have to be broken up and sent to a recycling center which is a messy job and takes time.
- Feb 19, 2024
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Major news at the site Universal UK Project | - so much to read through!
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