Harston Residents Group Meeting 18/5/21
Present: Joy Richardson, Hilary Roadley, Claire Cock-Starkey, Ranjit Kurrie, Rupert Dick, Myfanwy Lloyd, William Hurrell, Paul Holdom, Mavis Gardner, Keith Benwell, Margaret Greeves, Marion, Martin Kreetzer, Brian Williamson, Peter and Gaynor Hayde, Evelynne Hull, Norman De’Ath, Carole Stafford, Alan Sweeting, Anushka Arun, John Holmes, Becki & Tony Mason, Giles Pemberton, Rashmi Jadon, Mareike Herzog, Jan Nanor, Maria King, Clare, Rupert Pearce-Gould.
Apologies: Linda Churchman
EWR:
Harston Village website updated with presentation on EWR plans and link to survey: http://www.harstonvillage.uk/east-west-rail
Questionnaire about EWR created by PC will be going out to every house in Harston on Friday/Saturday and need to be back to the PC by 26th.
Maria King says there have been no factual updates on EWR but she has received lots of emails from constituents on the issue but because the County Council has just changed leadership there has not been a chance to discuss it at county level yet.
EWR meeting on 15.5.21: 93 people attended the meeting and many asked questions. Thus far Rupert Pearce-Gould says no one has been able to come up with any benefits to Harston of the route – the current plans would mean anyone from Harston wanting to travel to Oxford would have to travel into Cambridge or Camborne.
Harston and Newton School and Comberton Village College have both responded to the consultation outlining the issues that will affect them and their students.
John Holmes states that any idea of a bypass for the A10 is being forgotten in the plans and we will likely see an increase in traffic. Hilary agrees pointing out that the suggested route for a bypass is exactly where this new train lines goes so if EWR goes ahead then bypass will likely never happen.
Joy reminds everyone that the proposals in their current form will be unlikely to go through as so many objections. This means they will be open to suggestions of how to mitigate the issues. Harston needs to make clear what mitigations we require.
Haslingfield have been pressing for tunnelling instead of a cutting and Rupert hopes that if this happens then Harston might get a tunnel too.
Trains are not due until 2030 so there is plenty of time, however a judicial review can’t happen until a statutory consultation is held.
Rupert Dick says surely Cambridge does not want freight trains thundering through it. Rupert PG says that Cambridge Approaches have tried to get Cambridge groups to see the potential impact but so far have had no success.
EWR is not responsible for freight just passengers. The freight element comes from the Department of Transport.
John Holmes asks why EWR are not considering global warming. Diesel trains worse for environment than freight trains and cuttings are being planned which go under the water table.
A tower of scaffolding has been placed on the A10 to show where the line would run and how high it would be (except Rupert thinks it would actually be about 50cms taller).
17 Volunteers will deliver the questionnaire to the village but more volunteers needed (Hilary and Jan bot volunteered to help).
Actions:
· Everyone should respond to the consultation or email thoughts direct to consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk (cc’ing in ewrharston@gmail.com )
· If anyone know of any footpaths that will be disrupted by the plans please let Rupert know via earharston@gmail.com
· If anyone knows of someone not online who needs help filling out consultation please contact Rupert who can help.
Church St: Traffic getting worse and problems with cars parking awkwardly. Gas works taking place 24–29th May with temporary traffic lights likely to make things worse.
Foxton Travel Hub: Talks were meant to be held this week but were cancelled for unknown reasons.
Bypass: Transport group continue to press for this and hope to have meeting with the new mayor once he has settled in.
Litter: Increased litter in the village especially outside the shop. Hilary says that they need more bins. Tony Mason says that District Council bins cost £600 each.
Action: Tony Mason to bring up issue with DC and Paul Holdom to bring up with PC.
Greener Harston: Area by Vujon now cleared but awaiting the debris to be taken away. Beki getting quotes for the work.
Churchyard clearance continuing. Next meeting will take place Saturday 5th June at 10am and more volunteers are needed.
Planning:
25 Royston Road: Hilary has sent off comments on the plans pointing out that the building has strong links to the Greene family. The consultation team suggested Hilary request a spot listing for the building to preserve it. Hilary points out that the PC really needs to adopt her list of buildings of interest in Harston to protect the historic houses from developers.
Action: Hilary to send Claire list of buildings of interest to circulate with the next agenda. Hilary to continue to flag up the issue with PC.
Vujon: Planning will go to committee next Tuesday. Tony Mason can write a letter of objection so if anyone has any issues with the plans they should contact him.
Pemberton: PC objected to demolition so hopefully now not being demolished.
PC: Niall has stood down as chair and Dom has been elected in his place. Many thanks go to Niall for his many years of service. PC now has to hold its meetings in person instead of on Zoom. Joy asked if HRG meetings should go back to in person but it was unanimously voted that they should stay on Zoom.
Next meeting: Tuesday 15 June 8pm