Rail Study published

A Rail Study funded by a wide range of local authorities, rail companies and voluntary rail bodies, together with St Modwen Properties is published today, Friday 28 September, as part of The Cabinet agenda on Monday 8 October.

The Study was part of a legal agreement (Section 106) relating to a planning permission at Long Marston Depot (ref 09/00835/FUL) and was commissioned to consider the feasibility of restoring rail services between Stratford-upon-Avon station and the Honeybourne Junction on the Cotswold Line, as a through route to form part of the national rail network. 

The study will be considered by Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet on Monday 8 October.

The Study concludes that there is a prospect of the rail link between Stratford and Honeybourne being reinstated at some point in the future. This would provide the opportunity for direct passenger services to Oxford (and possibly on to London Paddington) and Worcester. The scope for freight use of the route is thought to be limited.

However, the proposed technical and engineering solution identified in the Study would be extremely expensive; estimated at between £76m and £97m, including bridges under Evesham Place and Wetherby Way as Network Rail would not support the provision of level crossings.

While an initial assessment of environmental issues has been carried out in the Study, a much more rigorous appraisal would be required should the project be pursued to identify the level of impact on features such as flood risk, ecology and property. The effect on the Greenway of reinstating the railway would also be an important consideration.

Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford District Council says: “At this stage, due to the significant issues that the Study has identified it is too early to say whether or not the rail link will be constructed. 

It is evident that a further assessment will need to be undertaken to refine the work carried out by the current Study in order to substantiate whether the project is a viable and realistic proposition. Potential operators would need to consider their commitment to investment in the rail network that will be influenced by future patterns of development and activities within and outside the District.

The District Council is meeting its legal obligations to publish this study.  I acknowledge that there is strong opposition to re-opening the line and strong support for its re-instatement.  The debate will continue for some time."

The Study recommends the following broad design approach, although this would be the subject of a detailed assessment and refinement at future stages should the project be taken forward:

• Stratford Station to Evesham Place – single track with gradient to create a dive under at Evesham Place. Functioning of roundabout would be unaffected except during construction.
  
• Alongside Seven Meadows Road – single track in open topped trench. Road realigned to the east but within existing corridor.
  
• Wetherby Way – dive under. Access to housing development unaffected.
  
• Racecourse to Milcote – single track alongside the Greenway. Milcote Road realigned to provide a bridge over the railway.
  
• Milcote to Long Marston – two options to be considered: either a single track with the Greenway alongside; or a double track south of Milcote which will require the Greenway to be diverted alongside the old railway formation or an alternative route provided using Milcote Road and through Long Marston. Station Road realigned to provide a bridge over the railway. Proposed new station to the north of Station Road.
  
• Long Marston to Honeybourne – double track, route realigned to the east of the existing industrial estate south of Station Road.