Non-Technical Summary - Chiltern Evergreen3

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EVERGREEN 3About this DocumentThis document is the Non-Technical Summary (NTS) of theEnvironmental Statement for the Chiltern Railways (Bicesterto Oxford Improvements) Transport and Works Act Order,hereafter called ‘the Scheme’.Chiltern Railways is seeking authority from the Secretary ofState to construct and operate the railway, by means of aTransport and Works Act Order (TWAO) Application.The TWAO rules require an Environmental Impact Assessmentto be undertaken and the findings reported in anEnvironmental Statement.The Environmental Statement includes a description of theexisting environment, details of the Scheme and its impactson the environment and identifies the measures that willbe used to prevent, reduce or offset significant negativeenvironmental impacts.ToWorcesterKidlingtonA40A44A4260Oxford NorthJunctionTo Banbury andBirminghamA34IslipBicesterTownWater EatonParkway P&R buses tocity centre &RadcliffeHospitalOxfordBicesterA40A4421To Didcot andLondon Paddington(66 miles)Chilternchord lineA41Future East-Westline to MiltonKeynesTo High Wycombe andLondon Marylebone(64 miles)Figure 1: The proposed Oxford to Bicester upgradewhich forms part of Chiltern’s plans to run servicesthrough to London MaryleboneM40The aim of this Non-Technical Summary is to summarise thecontent and main findings of the Environmental Statement in aclear and concise manner.This Non-Technical Summary and the Environmental Statementhave been prepared by Environmental Resources Management(ERM) for, and on behalf of, Chiltern Railways.Sheepwash Rail bridge to be widened and thepreserved swing bridge in the foreground4 EVERGREEN3 WWW.CHILTERN-EVERGREEN3.CO.UK
EVERGREEN 3Main Scheme FeaturesScheme Description and PhasingFigure 1 (left) illustrates the proposed route. The depositedPlans and Sections accompanying the TWAO Applicationshould be referred to for further details. The main worksproposed are as follows:• A new double track connecting railway line, from a pointon the London to Birmingham line just north of thebridge which runs over the Bicester ring road, to a pointon the Oxford to Bicester and Bletchley railway just eastof Tubbs Lane crossing.• Bicester Town station will be rebuilt with two platforms,to allow reinstatement of double track. The platformswill initially be for 6 car trains to be extended laterfor 8 car trains and new station buildings and parkingconstructed. Step free access will be providedthroughout, together with improved links to both thetown centre and the Bicester Village Outlet Centre andto the residential and business areas to the south ofthe railway.• Upgrading the railway, from the junction with theconnecting line through Bicester Town and Islip toOxford North Junction (near Wolvercot). The upgradedroute will be double track, reinstating the facilityremoved by British Rail. New signalling and safetysystems will be provided to equip the line for up to 100miles per hour operation and most level crossingsreplaced by bridges or alternative routes. Thesuperstructure of the Mill Stream and River Cherwellviaducts (near Islip) will be rebuilt.• Islip station will also be rebuilt initially with one 6 carplatform, to be replaced later with two 8 car platformswith step free access throughout.• The rail aggregates depot at Water Eaton sidings will berelocated just north east of its present site andconnections to the Ministry of Defence depot at Bicesterwill be reconfigured to permit the reinstatement ofdouble track.• A new independent single track line will be builtbetween Oxford North Junction and Oxford station.This will use the disused trackbed of the line that runsparallel to the existing main line and is all within theexisting railway boundary. At Oxford station, the bridgeover the Sheepwash Channel will be widened andthe former parcels depot replaced to create twoadditional platforms for passenger trains.• The provision of bridges to replace all but one of theexisting road, footpath, bridleway and accommodationcrossings along the route to meet the current NetworkRail and Office of Rail Regulation guidelines,wherever possible.The TWAO Application also seeks the powers to provideloading gauge enhancements to W12+ gauge at WolvercotTunnel and various existing over bridge structures, so thatthe railway can be used for long distance freight servicesto Milton Keynes and beyond, when the East West Railproposals have been completed.The Scheme comprises the following phases:• Phase 1 will create a double track route from theLondon to Birmingham line, via Bicester Town toLangford Lane and again from Islip to just east of theWolvercot Tunnel, the rest being single track.• Phase 2A will include double track gauge enhancementsat Wolvercot Tunnel and the other existing over-bridges.• A new Parkway station will be built at the Water Eatonpark and ride site, with direct bus links to Kidlington,north Oxford, the John Radcliffe hospital and the citycentre. The station will have two 8 car platforms, withstep free access throughout and passenger facilities,including a ticket hall, coffee shop and car parking.• Phase 2B will provide double track on the remainingsection between Langford Lane and Islip and athird track at Bicester to hold trains for access to theMoD Exchange sidings. Together these will facilitate theEast West Rail proposals and provide a strategic link forcontainer freight trains between Oxford andMilton Keynes.WWW.CHILTERN-EVERGREEN3.CO.UKEVERGREEN3 5
Page 1 and 2: The Chiltern Railways (Bicester to
Page 3: EVERGREEN 3Introduction to thePropo
Page 7 and 8: EVERGREEN 3Code Of Construction Pra
Page 10 and 11: EVERGREEN 3Open SpaceThere is a req
Page 12 and 13: EVERGREEN 3Landscape and Visual Imp
Page 14 and 15: EVERGREEN 3Water Resources andFlood
Page 16 and 17: EVERGREEN 3Construction PhaseImpact
Page 18 and 19: EVERGREEN 3Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Page 20 and 21: EVERGREEN 3describes Chiltern Railw
Page 22 and 23: EVERGREEN 3Contact Details and Copi
Page 24: Chiltern Railways Consultation Team

Non-Technical Summary - Chiltern Evergreen3

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