Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

land exists and crossing islittle used.Name: Northfield FarmOS Grid Ref.: SP 51127 13058Railway Ref.: OXD 26m 57chType:Accommodation (assumedProposal: Close (if rights notpreviously extinguished) –crossing unused andalternative route via bridgeis available.Name: Water Eaton No. 5 CrossingOS Grid Ref.: SP 50736 12717Railway Ref.: OXD 27m 02chType:Accommodation and publicProposal: Close crossing and divertbridleway andaccommodation rights vianew bridge to northeast ofcrossing site (at 26m 67ch).New access tracks to beprovided as necessary tolink with existing routes.(New bridge also providesfor accommodation rightsover existing NorthfieldBridge, which is to bedemolished)alternative access exists.2. Provide bridge on alternative alignment –no suitable alternative alignmentavailable due to proximity to residentialproperties and to flood plain.3. Retain and upgrade crossing -undesirable due to increased safety riskresulting from increased speed andfrequency of trains.None1. Replace crossing with overbridge (iecarrying private road / bridleway overthe railway) on similar alignment toexisting crossing – railway is elevated atthis point meaning bridge would havesignificant visual impact. Also, waterbodies adjoining crossing site would needto be partially infilled resulting in adverseimpact on ecology and flood storagecapacity. Option therefore dismissed.2. Replace crossing with underbridge (iebridge carrying private road / bridlewaybeneath the railway) on similar alignmentto existing crossing – in order to provideadequate clearance to the underside ofthe bridge, the ground level beneath thestructure would need to be significantlybelow surrounding ground levels. Thiswould result in significant risk offlooding that would be difficult andcostly to mitigate. Underbridges,especially those with low levels of use,are also generally not liked by the generalpublic on grounds of perceived securityrisks.3. Retain and upgrade crossing -undesirable due to increased safety riskresulting from increased speed andfrequency of trains, especially given poorvisibility from the crossing towardsOxford.4. Close crossing and divert bridleway andaccommodation rights via alternativeroute over existing bridge at Northfieldfarm – this would result in a lengthydiversion. Also, existing Northfield Farmis particularly narrow making itunsuitable for certain types of farmmachinery. The clearance beneath theexisting bridge is inadequate for futurerequirements necessitating its demolition.5. Close crossing and divert bridleway viaalternative route over existing bridge atNorthfield farm. Upgrade alternativeENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTC24CHILTERN RAILWAYS