Report: Adrienne Lowndes

Following the flood of objections to the proposed planning application for a so-called substation on Green Belt land in Sandy Lane, Aughton, Network Rail [NR] belatedly hosted an ‘open evening’ at Aughton Institute on Wednesday afternoon into the early evening to address residents’ concerns.

Network Rail had produced a computer-generated ‘mock-up’ of the proposed installation , which resembles an enormous metal shipping container, nearly 4m high. It wasn't able to give exact measurements /dimensions, but if we look at the location plan submitted to WLBC, it will be at least twice the length of houses plus long gardens in Mickering Lane (some 136m).

While residents strongly voiced the opinion that this so-called ‘substation’ will be a totally inappropriate visual blot on a rather lovely, tranquil, rural landscape, especially to those living virtually next-door to it, they were also concerned that their daily lives will be further blighted by the constant noise & light pollution emanating from this huge industrial ‘monolith’.

Objections from residents living adjacent to the proposed site, that their view would be significantly blighted, were summarily dismissed by Network Rail executives - yet the views, openness, abundance of wildlife & peace of this rural location is why people choose to live here and rarely move away - and so it's a VERY important reason to the people that live here; representatives from NR confessed that they themselves wouldn’t like to live next to this development either.

Original estimates of noise levels from Network Rail on planning statement were elevated / increased from 55 to 62 decibels, and NR agreed to carry out a full noise assessment, details of which will be notified to residents. Lighting will be PIR, but NR will look at the design and control of the lighting. Concerns about health concerns living so close to such a large electric installation were discounted by Network Rail.

Residents were able to suggest another location not far from the Sandy Lane site, near to the existing mast owned by Network Rail, but crucially well away from human habitation. Nor were NR able to explain why their 1st choice site, also in Green Belt but well away from houses, was discounted. They didn’t seem to know why. Nor did they have any ideas of how the project would be managed, should the project succeed in obtaining planning permission. Network Rail need to have this ‘substation’ in operation by early next year and, intend to start works by 1st August his year for a period of approximately 9 weeks, yet they have no definite plans as to how this will be carried out.

Residents were concerned about disruption to their everyday lives if the narrow access via Bold Lane is used for heavy plant movements, especially as a road closure means a 2-3 mile detour in order to reach the A59, Aughton village and, ironically, Town Green railway station.

Representatives from NR, including Mr David Powell, who is in charge of this project with a £billion budget, were not able to answer all the questions submitted to Network Rail in advance of the open evening as promised, but stated that all questions & requests for information received so far will be collated and answers available within a week, with a view to holding a second consultation with neighbours ‘in order to work out choices together’.

Network Rail have promised to look into the validity of the alternative site proposed by residents - but admitted it has no contingency plans if the borough council reject this planning application.