Decision on Network Rail’s Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction Order

14 December, 2020

The Secretary of State has decided to make the Network Rail (Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction) Order subject to a number of modifications.  This is the first decision to be published by the Secretary of State concerning the three Level Crossing Reduction Orders simultaneously pursued by Network Rail in 2017, covering Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. The Inquiry into the Cambridgeshire Order closed in February 2018.

Decision on Network Rail’s Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction Order

14 December, 2020

The Secretary of State has decided to make the Network Rail (Cambridgeshire Level Crossing Reduction) Order subject to a number of modifications.  This is the first decision to be published by the Secretary of State concerning the three Level Crossing Reduction Orders simultaneously pursued by Network Rail in 2017, covering Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. The Inquiry into the Cambridgeshire Order closed in February 2018.

Through the proposed order, Network Rail sought the power to close or downgrade 25 level crossings in the County of Cambridgeshire. 

The Ramblers maintained objections to 5 of the crossings, on the basis that the alternative routes being proposed by Network Rail were not suitable and convenient replacements for existing users.  The Secretary of State decided to remove all 5 of these crossings from the order.

Merrow Golden and Sue Rumfitt, of Sue Rumfitt Associates, represented the Ramblers at the Inquiry.  Merrow was instructed by Bates Wells.

The Secretary of State’s decision letter and the Inspector’s report can both be found here.

View related news item on Network Rail's Suffolk Level Crossing Reduction Order.

Please note, Francis Taylor Building expects to provide a webinar briefing on the outcome of the three Network Rail Level Crossing Reduction TWAOs, once all of the decisions have been published. If you would like to be notified of the details for this in due course, please e-mail Deirdre Mahon at deirdre.mahon@ftbchambers.co.uk.