Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

It should be noted that the crossing is a Main River crossing and hence an EA FloodDefence Consent will be required, as previously discussed, under the terms of theproposed Protective Provisions in the TWA Order.3.5.8 AP17 – Aristotle Lane FootbridgeThe works proposed at this location are the refitting of an existing bridge to meet DDArequirements. The development site lies within Flood Zone 3b, the functional floodplain,and the Sequential Test has therefore been applied. The alternative options examinedand the reasons for rejection were as follows:1. Retain existing level crossing of the Didcot to Banbury line, and provide a newlevel crossing over the adjacent Bicester to Oxford line. Approval for this isunlikely to be forthcoming especially given the relationship to the existing Didcotto Banbury line crossing, and the proximity of the existing footbridge providing analternative route across the railway;2. Provide a new footbridge on similar alignment to the existing crossing. Thiscannot be justified given that the public footbridge at Aristotle Lane already existsvery close to the level crossing;3. Close the level crossing without any replacement or mitigation. Users wouldconsider the impact to be unacceptable due to increased length of route for mostusers of the allotment site. This is exacerbated by the fact that there are oftencattle grazing on Port Meadow and so it would be dangerous to negotiate gateswith a wheelbarrow if no alternative ramp were provided.It is proposed that the current proposal is most appropriate to maintain the safetyof the crossing and to maintain access to the allotments.It is clear that there are no reasonably alternative sites, given the requirement for a DDAcompliant railway crossing point in the immediate area, to compensate for the closure ofthe pedestrian level crossing.The Exception Test must be satisfied, as the development is in Flood Zone 3b.The site is on previously-developed land. The land has an existing use as railwayinfrastructure, immediately adjacent to the existing Aristotle Lane footbridge.It must be demonstrated through a Level 3 FRA that the structure will notobstruct flood flows across the floodplain nor consume floodplain storage overand above the impact of the existing structure.A commitment has been made by the project that appropriate mitigation will be providedfor demonstrable loss of floodplain storage and obstruction to flood flows, in agreementwith the Environment Agency. The use of an open structure design will minimiseobstruction to flood flows, and commitments for regular maintenance and checks at thislocation have been made within the Environmental Statement for the Scheme (ERM,2009).3.5.9 AP18 – Sheepwash UnderbridgeThe development site lies within Flood Zone 3, and the Sequential Test has thereforebeen applied. There are no reasonably available sites for this particular developmentelsewhere, given that the rail bridge exists at this site as the watercourse and railwayintersect here.The Exception Test must be satisfied, as the development is in Flood Zone 3b.34