Agenda item

(This provides an opportunity for the Committee to ask questions of Network Rail about their proposals for Lincolnshire. Gary Walsh, Area Director, John Clark, Infrastructure Maintenance Engineer and Ashley Jackson, Operations Manager)

The Committee received a presentation from Network Rail which included details of their performance in the East Midlands, particularly Lincolnshire, information about train punctuality, reliability and the effects on reliability caused by major incidents such as the major gas leak in Lincoln.

Network Rail responded to questions and comments made by the Committee as follows:-

1. They acknowledged the frustration caused by the lift not operating on the High Street footbridge and hoped to resolve the problem as soon as possible. It was proposed to improve the signage for the lift and correct the workmanship on the footway.

2. The snagging issues were expected to be completed on the High Street footbridge by 2 November 2016. The footbridge would not be accepted by Network Rail until this work had been completed and the use of non-slip paint on the footbridge floor was being investigated.

3. The possible delays caused by track possession and its effect on the Lincoln Eastern By-pass would be resolved by October 2017.

4. The issues in connection with the length of time level crossing barriers at Skellingthorpe Road and Doddington Road, Lincoln and Station Road, North Hykeham would be responded to when the Committee visited the Signal Control Station, Lincoln, this afternoon.

5. The procedures involved in possession of track were complicated and agreed that there was a need to keep stakeholders informed of developments at an earlier stage. They agreed to get back to the Council about earlier engagement with freight operators.

6. Tenders to run the rail service franchise in the East Midlands, including the Nottingham to Skegness line, were due to be returned in March 2018. The Department for Transport would consult the Council on the proposals and agreed to send details to the Council of the internet details for this consultation.

6. Disabled access at Stamford Station was not a high priority. There was a "barrow" crossing at the end of the platform but this was not suitable for disabled people. If there was a business case to provide access for the disabled then Network Rail would examine the matter further. In the meantime, disabled people should contact East Midlands Trains to arrange their journey. 

7. The outcome of a study into the provision of a bridge for Tallington was expected in Spring 2017 and details of the study would be sent to the Council for comment.

8. British Transport Police had responsibility for enforcing the one way system at the Maxey rail crossing and Network Rail would investigate if any prosecutions had taken place.

9. The repair and installation of new surfacing at level crossings was a major work activity of Network Rail nationwide and in Lincolnshire and was expensive to undertake. Network Rail wished to invest a lot more resources in this area. They explained their approach to tackling the issue including taking a holistic approach and doing a risk assessment. The level crossing at Langworth on the A158 was on the main route from Lincoln to the East Coast and they agreed that the existing surface was inadequate and agreed to respond to the Council if they had any plans for this crossing.

10. Network Rail stated that mild steel grey colour fencing had been used for the safety fence in Sykes Lane, Saxilby. Removal of the paint was expensive and agreed to investigate the options available and respond to the Council.

11. Network Rail had visited the work they had undertaken just off Sykes Lane, known locally as "Tilt Lady Lane" and the damage to the verges had repaired of its own accord.

12. Network Rail stated that the concerns raised about reliability of the level crossing barriers in Spalding would be addressed at the meeting in Spalding on 26 October 2016. Network Rail explained that if there was a problem with one of the barriers then this would affect all of the barriers. Concerns about the installation of modernised equipment to improve reliability would be addressed at the meeting on 26 October. Network Rail added that any upgrade of a level crossing was dependent on a number of factors including usage and traffic flows.

13. Network Rail had examined the capacity of the East Coast mainline and rail traffic, where appropriate, had been diverted to the Lincoln to Peterborough line to improve capacity on the East Coast mainline.

Network Rail agreed to send written responses to the questions asked today and to those asked on 26 October 2016, to Daniel Steel, Scrutiny Officer, and the responses would be circulated to all Members.