Issue - decisions

It is recommended that the Deputy Leader: approves the appended consultation response for submission including revised wording reflecting the Cabinet minute noted above. The response will be submitted noting that it is subject to call in, and that the Council will notify East West Rail Company of any further wording changes resulting from that call in.

On behalf of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cabinet approved the draft consultation response to the East-West Rail Bedford to Cambridge consultation, attached as Appendix 1 to the report from the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, subject to

1.    amendments to reflect the following:

·         On the approach to Cambridge section, removal of an expression of a preference, and focus instead on issues that should be taken into account, including emphasise the importance of connectivity, to the east of Cambridge, to the proposed Cambridge South railway station, and to other transport links;

·         an assessment of the impact on the amenity of communities located along the chosen route

·         an expression of the Council’s disappointment that trains using the route at least at the outset would be diesel rather than electric,

·         highlighting the necessity for measures to minimise any adverse impact on the environment and on heritage assets, and to explore opportunities for environmental enhancement, including to address flood risk.

2.    delegation to the Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Deputy Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, to finalise the wording of the response.