13^th October 2009

Rail freight update – Pre-inquiry meeting

I attended the Railfreight pre-inquiry meeting on Thursday 8^th October.  At the meeting the Inspector, Andrew Mead, sought agreement from all parties as to procedure, areas to be covered, dates and timings.  The legal team for Helioslough, led by Mr Kingston, argued for the inquiry to be considered as speedily as possible, whereas St Albans District Council’s legal team and Strife’s barrister, Paul Stinchcombe, argued that the inquiry should not be restricted to just the Alternative Sites Assessment and that there were many new areas of concern to be explored which I fully agree with.

The Secretary of State has firmly fixed the start date for the Inquiry for 24^th November and it cannot be moved.  It is possible however, if the Inspector feels that there are too many outstanding issues, that it could be suspended on the first day, though this would be highly unusual and sure to be resisted. 

I pointed out to Mr Mead that I did not expect this Inquiry to be shoehorned into a tight timeframe to suit the developer and that I believed it was crucial technical data on the availability of freight pathways ought to be available before consideration of this site.  He reassured me that he would not speed up the Inquiry and that he too expected to have time to assimilate all the technical data. 

I shall continue to meet with as many representatives of the rail and freight industry and I can to ensure that we are getting the best available data.  This is a fight that we can win and we will not be cowed by a pushy developer who hints at legal redress if we try to explore all the relevant issues rather than the narrow parameters that suit him.

If you wish to attend any of the hearings they are anticipated to run from Tuesdays to Fridays 10am to 4.30pm at the Council offices, unless otherwise decided during the Inquiry.  I shall attend and speak on your behalf and keep you fully informed as to progress throughout the Inquiry.

With best wishes,

Anne Main

Member of Parliament for St Albans

maina@parliament.uk - 0207 219 8270

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