Rother Valley Railway

My own views on Ms Rudd are best not expanded upon, as there may be children reading this!

 

Good news indeed. Very pleased our local MP has come onside.
Rudd has already voiced her objections to the project in the past. Amusing that there's now 2 Conservative MPs in neighbouring constituencies, with opposing positions on the same project.
But given the way the party currently is, no surprise really.

 

I'm pleased to report that the Rother Valley Railway applied for the Transport and Works Act Order this week http://www.rvr.org.uk/twao.html

 

Word up- have just seen from the blogsite, that the TWAO application was, at long last, filed yesterday. Plans are also afoot to reinstate the section from Udiam to Austen's Bridge this coming Autumn, including the B2244 crossing!
I'm guessing that the affected parties will call for a public enquiry on the application, although I do hope I'm wrong on that.
Really good news

 

And it answers a frequently asked question - yes they are going for compulsory purchase powers so I expect it's almost certain the affected parties will call for a public enquiry

David R

 

That depends on how far the farmer is prepared to go, and on the likely response of the other land owner, one, will I would think hold out to the bitter end, the other, may well see sense, especially if there's money involved, an offer on the table at better than the going rate for agricultural ground as opposed to what they would get under compulsory purchase as if it goes to public enquiry I cant see the two land owners being able to stop it now, far better to come to terms, and try to come to agreement over access and how to work this to both parties benefit.

 

Don't assume anything about Public Inquiries.

PH

 

We lived for 10 years just down the lane and used the pub a lot. The village is very quiet and 'closed' considering how near it is to the A21. As outsiders from Kent we were never really accepted. The railway when reinstated will run in the valley quite close to where we lived. We would have welcomed it but I suspect the majority there wont

 

Outsiders from Kent. Blimey! How times have changed.
Nowadays, Salehurst seems to be pretty much run by outsiders from London and other parts of the home counties. However, "closed" it certainly still is.

 

You're being logical. People often aren't... :-(

Noel

 

It doesn't necessarily mean that they intend to use those powers.
But it would be stupid not to include provision for such in their order.

I expect that adding CP to the order later if needed would mean going through the whole application again. Any big expensive application such as this should include anything and everything that might be needed. For example there is a plan for the route, but the deposited plans will show limits of deviation to allow for realigning if needed, whereas if just the precise route were shown, then any slight alteration needed would probably necessitate a complete new order.

 

That farmer is an awkward old bugger a few years ago the ministry of agriculture needed to test his livestock but he refused, the ministry had to get a court order to gain access to the farm.

 

Not an outsider from Yorkshire is he ?

 

The only thing you can assume is that they cost large sums of money - and only the lawyers and consultants gain...

 

Apologist for the Conservative party I am not, but why shouldn't they have different opinions on a subject like this?

 

But the alternative is that people dont have a voice. The system isnt pretty but it is probably a necessary part of a democracy. It has just come to be too easy to keep adding to the scope and wasting time. However, that is often the fault of the clients not the lawyers. You only have to look to the south west to see where a firm has been instructed to simply be obstructive and slow on behalf of a client who objects to the reinstatement of a railway. It is a tactic to try to wear down the other side, and depending on which side of the fence you sit on, a legitimate one.

 

Its just interesting to note that Merriman bases his support upon benefits to the economy of the area, whereas Rudd focusses purely on the (hypothetical) delays that the crossing of the A21 might bring. Its a matter of focus, one broad, one narrow. Mind you, such trivia is the least of her worries right now.

 

It does allow them to speak softly while everyone understands they're carrying a big stick, if need be.

Noel

 

And that’s why RVR have always said CPO powers were likely to be in any TWAO application, unless they reached agreement with all the landowners. But let’s not jump the gun. RVR will not have the big stick unless the Order is granted.

 

Well, Rudd's voice isn't going to carry anything like as much weight from the back benches. Good news for the RVR.