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CAMPAIGN AGAINST RAIL FREIGHT INTERCHANGE AT RADLETT AERODROME!
Latest news...
Latest rail freight fight update: Letter to constituents
22nd April 2008
Letter from Anne Main MP | Click here to see the full letter.
Latest rail freight fight update: Letter to constituents
1st February 2008
Letter from Anne Main MP | Click here to see the full letter.
Anne Main tackles Secretary of State for Transport over Radlett rail freight proposal
23rd January 2008
As the Radlett rail freight proposal hangs in the balance, Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans, challenged the Secretary of State for Transport yesterday over the need for the 419 hectare rail freight interchange.
Upon leaving the chamber, Anne said:
“It was clear from the Minister’s answer that she was not really listening to my question. I wish she had had the courtesy to pay attention considering the huge swell of public opinion in St Albans about this proposal.
Despite this, it was a good opportunity to directly challenge her, on the record, on this issue and I hope she will bear my question in mind, along with the opinions of thousands who feel this proposal would damage St Albans, when the proposal arrives on her desk.”
Bexley decision undermines Radlett argument
16th January 2008
Following the Government’s decision to approve plans for a giant rail freight depot on 155 acres of green belt land in Bexley, Kent, Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans said:
“Whilst the decision is clearly a blow for the people of Bexley, I hope that this will pave the way for a rejection of the Radlett proposal.
I feel the Bexley site was a “better fit” than the one at Radlett, but it is still a huge concern that the Government decided that placing such a large development in the green belt is acceptable.
On the positive side I hope that, now we have another of the Government’s “three or four” new strategic rail freight interchanges around London in place, this removes the need for another site at Radlett to be developed.”
Railfreight interchange would ruin commuter services
9th November 2007
Anne Main, Conservative MP for St Albans, has today joined with First Capital Connect’s Managing Director, Elaine Holt, to condemn the negative impact that Helioslough’s Radlett Railfreight proposal would have on St Albans’ commuter rail services.
Following a submission from Network Rail which appears to broadly support the proposal, Anne and First Capital Connect sought to underline the problems it would pose for St Albans’ 33,000 commuters.
Anne said:
“St Albans’ commuters are the life-blood for the local economy and indeed the national economy and for too long have had to put up with poor commuter services into London. I know from my meetings with Elaine Holt that FCC are making huge efforts to try to improve and enhance the train services into London which is why I welcome their robust rejection of this proposal, which I am absolutely convinced will ruin commuter services causing disruption, delays and a decrease in services.
There is a powerful rail argument why this proposal should not go ahead and I am appalled that Network Rail is even tempted to support it, I suspect it’s the big bucks of the developer that are clouding their judgment on this matter.” .
Planning Inspectorate's Inquiry begins: Letter to constituents
6th November 2007
Letter from Anne Main MP | Click here to see the full letter.
Anne Main: There are rock solid planning reasons why the appeal should be rejected by the Inspector - this is not NIMBYism
19th September 2007
Commenting on the announcement of date for the Planning Inspectorate’s hearing into the proposed Radlett Railfreight terminal,to be held at the St Albans District Council offices on 06/11/07 Conservative MP for St Albans, Anne Main said:
“St Albans remains united in its opposition to this huge terminal.
“I am urging the thousands of people who have contacted me about this show their opposition to this proposal by trying to attend the public meetings that will be held over the 32 days of the inquiry.
“I know that my constituents are heartily sick of local decisions being overturned by the Government on appeal. There are rock solid planning reasons why the appeal should be rejected by the Inspector - this is not NIMBYism.
"I will be addressing the inquiry on behalf of my constituents. The Inspector must be left in no doubt: we expect the Government to listen. St Albans will not roll over and play dead just because some greedy developer wishes to plunder our green belt and clog up our roads."
Letter to constituents
19th September 2007
Letter from Anne Main MP | Click here to see the full letter.
Helioslough sets out railfreight stall to Mayor of London
5th July 2007
Today Anne Main, Conservative MP for St Albans, attended the evidence session for the London Plan’s railfreight strategy with Chris and Eve Brown from STRiFE.
Representatives from Helioslough, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Transport for London (TfL), the Government Office for London, Hertfordshire County Council and the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) and other organisations such as Bexley Borough and Friends of the Earth met in Greater London Assembly Building to debate the future railfreight in London.
Anne said:
“I was gratified to hear the submissions from Hertfordshire County Council, EERA, CPRE and indeed Bexley Borough Council, which robustly urged the Mayor to ensure no dilution of greenbelt policy in favour of railfreight interchanges in the Green Belt.
However, Helioslough, the architects of the Radlett proposal, and TfL, selectively set out their stall in an attempt to persuade the Mayor in favour of developments outside the London area in the green belt. I was amazed to hear Keith Rodwell of Helioslough argue that they try to marry up sites with employees by saying that “we have to find sites where people can get to and from their place of work easily” when clearly the Radlett proposal will need large numbers of commuting workers. Mr Rodwell also dismissed the green belt argument of Mr Kersey, from CPRE, as “disingenuous”.TfL persisted in arguing for additional “business” for the rail industry and greater access to other markets. It seemed that the business case was more prominent than any environmental case. However, Mr Nichols from Bexley Borough quoted some damning statistics which indicated that only 6% of activity at Daventry Rail Freight Terminal was rail-accessed, with the remaining 94% of traffic using lorries and his figures were not successfully argued away. I will be liaising with Bexley Borough Council to see if there is anything we can learn to add to our argument to defeat this proposal”
Anne with Chris and Eve Brown from STRiFE in the London Assembly Chambers
County Council oppose railfreight terminal
11th June 2007
Commenting on the Press Release issued by Hertfordshire County Council regarding the proposed rail freight terminal Anne Main, MP for St Albans, said:
"It is extremely welcome that Hertfordshire County Council has come out with this strong objection to the Rail Freight terminal and "will back St Albans District Council all the way" in the face of an appeal.
"The County has given strong leadership on this matter and their views will be vital in supporting residents at an appeal hearing."
Letter to constituents
5th June 2007
Letter from Anne Main MP | Click here to see the full letter.
£1.5bn Thames container port decision undermines case for a railfreight interchange in St Albans
31st May 2007
In light of the Government’s decision to approve the new London Gateway port and rail interchange in Essex, Anne Main has further disputed the need for another railfreight interchange at the former Radlett aerodrome site.
The Minister’s decision means that an interchange will be built on a 1,500-acre brownfield former oil refinery site at Shellhaven, Thurrock. A 700-acre logistics and business park, one of the largest in Europe, will also be constructed.
Anne said:
“This is a massive development which will I feel will fulfil the need for a railfreight interchange in the East of England region.
This interchange is being built on a brownfield site, identified by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) as a strategic and appropriate site for such a development. In the original planning decision for the Radlett site, EERA said that they did not believe that the former aerodrome was suitable.
I believe that this decision undermines the developer’s argument that we need a railfreight interchange in St Albans. I do not see the rationale behind loading freight onto the railways in Essex and unloading it in Hertfordshire to then drive it into London.
The Shellhaven development is an appropriate development on an appropriate brownfield site where there is a need for redevelopment and jobs. As far as I am concerned this decision blows away the need for a railfreight interchange in St Albans, on a site which would be located in a village setting, on the green belt, with little access to suitably qualified workers and inadequate transport links.”
Letter to constituents
22nd May 2007
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Network Rail: 'line needs upgrade for railfreight'
8th May 2007
Today Anne Main, MP for St Albans, chaired a meeting with representatives of STRIFE and Network Rail to discuss the logistical rail implications of the Railfreight Interchange proposal at Radlett.
Anne Main, Chris Brown and Doug Hirst representing STRIFE, posed detailed technical questions and the implications of utilising the Midland Main Line to Chris Mair Public Affairs Manager and Richard Iggulden, Senior Route Freight Manager for Network Rail.
During the meeting the structural limitations of the current rail network were discussed. It emerged that the viability of any rail freight scheme hinges on the line being brought up to W10 loading gauge, to allow for the smooth running of the rail service and minimal impact on other service users.
Doug Hirst expressed concern that whilst detailed discussions between Network Rail and Helioslough appeared to have explored the possibility of up grading, crucially no planning conditions have been put in place to ensure the gauge up grade takes place.
Anne said:
“At least we now know what is essential, in rail terms, to make this proposal viable.
“I am concerned that Helioslough have implied in their negotiations with Network rail that these gauge up grades will occur but we have no proof they will deliver. Network Rail have a business to run and view these matters strictly in the context of their role as the service provider and do not have to consider issues such as noise, pollution, roads serving the site, traffic implications or green belt status.
“We are now aware of the technical limitations of the proposal which hinges on a promise of up grades. We will continue to focus on the intractable traffic and congestion issues and robustly up hold the green belt status of the site.
“Negotiations on this proposal are ongoing at every level so I look forward to my meeting with Archie Robertson Head of the Highways Agency.”
Rail freight application turned down
Anne Main MP says: “I was delighted with the Council’s decision to turn down the rail-freight planning proposal.
However, I fear that the fight is not yet over and I will continue to oppose this proposal, and any that poses an equal threat to the environment of St Albans and its environs, at all levels as best I can.”
Planning Meeting
7pm on the 19th February 2007 at the Alban Arena
Letter to constituents
12th February 2007
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Letter to constituents
18th December 2006
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Anne Main ‘welcomes’ St Albans District Council initial views on proposed Radlett Rail freight Terminal
2nd November 2006
Following the packed planning meeting last night where St Albans District Council outlined their initial views on the proposed railfreight terminal at Radlett Anne Main, MP for St Albans, has said:
“I think that the massive opposition to this proposal demonstrated both at the meeting and at the overflow meeting shows that St Albans does not want, and is prepared to fight, this wholly inappropriate proposal.
“My congratulations go to all members of STRIFE and their supporters, who are fighting a fierce and well coordinated campaign.
“I will watch with interest to see if the Highway issues, crucial to this proposal, which have until December to be addressed, will indeed sound the ‘death knell’ of this proposal. Only this week I was at a meeting with the WWF (Worldwide Wildlife Fund) who gave me extremely worrying statistics that St Albans has one of the worst carbon footprints in the country. We need help, from the Government, to tackle our issues of pollution, noise and congestion and not have imposed upon us thousands of extra car an lorry movements that will only add to the problem. I have already had one debate with a Government Minister and I am determined to ensure she does not ignore the views of my constituents.”
Letter to constituents
18th October 2006
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Parliamentary Debate
17th October 2006
Anne Main initiated a debate in the House of Commons | Click here to see the full text on Anne's website.
Click here to watch video (wmv).
St Albans MP, Anne Main, Pledges to Oppose Rail Freight Interchange
Letter to constituents
2nd August 2006
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Press Release: St Albans – Railfreight City?
1st August 2006
After hearing the news that HelioSlough have submitted an outline planning application to St Albans District Council for the development of a 3 million square foot Rail Freight Interchange and Intermodal facility on the site of the former Radlett Aerodrome, St Albans MP Anne Main has once again reiterated her opposition to the proposal.
Anne said “I have raised this issue a number of times in Parliament including asking Jack Straw, the Leader of the House, if the Government will allow the issue to be debated fully in Parliament. However, I also plan to initiate a debate myself in Parliament regarding this application and its effects on St Albans. I have also invited the Secretary of State for Transport to visit St Albans to see the impact this development will have not only on Park Street and the surrounding area but on St Albans as a whole.
“The proposal will alter the perception of St Albans from that of a pleasant City, known for its history and culture, to one that will only be associated with rail freight.
I have met with a number of campaign groups that have been set up by local residents who are opposed to these plans and I support them 100% and will be doing everything I can to assist them.”
Anne Main Calls on Government to grant Parliamentary debate on proposed Radlett Rail Freight terminal
20th July 2006
Anne Main today called on the Leader of the House of Commons, Jack Straw, to grant Parliamentary time to debate the proposed Radlett Railfrieght Terminal during a debate on the future business of the House of Commons.
Anne said: “This is am extremely important issue for St Albans as a whole. On the Eve of a formal application being lodged I am keen to avoid the Government merely ‘rubber stamping’ this proposal. The Government’s intentions regarding this site, and the wider implications of rail freight, need proper debate in Parliament.”
Letter to constituents
12th June 2006
Anne Main sent a letter to interested constituents | Click here to see the full letter.
Public Meeting
A public meeting was held at Holy Trinity Church, Frogmore on Saturday 10th June 2006.
IN PARLIAMENT: Anne Main MP Questions the Transport Secretary in the House of Commons
2nd May 2006
Anne Main speaking in the House of Commons
During Transport Questions in the House of Commons this week St Albans' MP, Anne Main, called on the Government to make a statement about the proposal for a rail freight interchange at Radlett.
Text as reported in the Official Report of the House of Commons:
Anne Main (St. Albans) (Con): If he will make a statement on the proposed rail freight interchange at the former Radlett aerodrome. [66802]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Derek Twigg): It is for the private sector to develop proposals and progress them through the necessary approvals including planning consent. I understand that no planning application has yet been made for the proposal to which the hon. Lady refers.
Anne Main: Large consultation exercises are going on. Does the Under-Secretary agree that, if blight is put on houses—it has already been accepted by Helios and Lafarge, which offered to buy a house but have now rescinded the offer and said that there is no possibility of compensation—and the Government decide to push ahead and grant permission against the wishes of local residents, they should ensure that compensation is provided for any blighted properties?
Derek Twigg: The rules of blight are well established. As far as I know, we have not yet received a planning application. Normal planning procedures will apply and it is not appropriate for me to comment at this stage.
LETTER: Letter from Anne Main MP
Click here for full text of letter delivered to households that may be immediately affected by the proposals for a rail freight interchange at Radlett.
PRESS RELEASE: "Rail Freight Interchange: I Will Oppose"
11th April 2006
Anne Main at a meeting to discuss the proposed site
Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans, has today commented on the release of the plans for the new Radlett Aerodrome:
“On Weds 5th April I attended a Stakeholder meeting which included planning, highways and all other aspects of the application. I spent two hours there asking questions about the proposal and I was disappointed to learn that it will be a proposed development totaling 3.5 million Sq Feet. There will 3,000 lorry movements a day 200 per hour at peak times, there will also be 2652 car parking spaces which will obviously generate significant traffic movement and the proposal hinges on a radical rethink of the London Colney and Park St roundabouts and access being created off the A414 as well as an exit being created off the site, which will include a redesign of the bridge over the M25.
Notwithstanding the concerns on the environmental implication of the project and its greenbelt location I believe that this is ultimately an unacceptable project. However, I am very concerned that this will ultimately be a Government decision - and the Government has said its commitment to finding a site for a rail freight interchange - studies already indicate that Radlett Aerodrome is a preferred site.
After listening carefully to details about the plan I do not believe I can give the development my support. I will also be writing to those residents near to the site in the very near future outlining the reasons why I oppose the plan. Furthermore, not only will I be supporting the District Council's efforts to oppose the development but I will be raising the issue with the relevant Government departments as well as in Parliament.”
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St Albans MP, Anne Main, Pledges to Oppose Rail Freight Interchange
Anne Main at a Protest in Park Street
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