Examination of Witnesses (Questions 6140
- 6156)
6140. In that event, the recognition of the
potential loss of character of Shenfield, the change to its character
and the consequences that that may have for those who live there
appears, sadly, to be lacking.
(Mr Berryman) I completely refute the statement
that there will be any change in the character of Shenfield at
all. When we have gone, it will be put back exactly as it was
before, with the addition of one platform on the railway station.
6141. Despite the noise impacts and the scale
of operation that will then follow and the long-term impact on
parking and other aspects of the quality of life in the town.
(Mr Berryman) There should not be any long-term
impact on parking. As I say, when we go away, we put things back
exactly as they were, except with the addition of one rail platform.
6142. Chairman: Are there any other listed
petitioners who would like to question Mr Berryman?
Cross-examined by Mr Jardine
6143. Mr Jardine: Christopher Jardine,
representing petitions 43 and 253. It might be helpful if we could
have the drawing 020 up again.[47]
Mr Berryman, can you tell me the purpose of the eastern sidings,
as they will become once you have done any work?
(Mr Berryman) Yes, the eastern
sidings will be used for stabling trains overnight and possibly
for stabling trains inter-peak, when the service is reduced during
off-peak times.
6144. How long are the existing sidings? Are
they long enough for the Crossrail trains?
(Mr Berryman) I believe they are not quite
long enough, no. The existing trains, I think, are 160 metres
in length and our trains are 200 metres in length.
6145. Would the existing sidings be capable
of being extended without too much alteration to other track work?
(Mr Berryman) I do not think they would. Could
we have 022?[48]
You can see there that what is called the Chelmsford Loop passes
closely across the end of those sidings, and that would make it
difficult to extend them without moving that loop. In addition,
you will notice that those sidings would require a crossing movement
from trains from the Crossrail lines crossing over trains going
to Southend to get into the sidings.
6146. But the Chelmsford Loop—surely trains
could instead cross over to the main line before those sidings,
could they not?
(Mr Berryman) They could do, but I understand
that that is used frequently so that they give themselves more
flexibility of platform occupation at Shenfield.
6147. The point I am trying to make is that
if there were some way of using the existing sidings, then perhaps
there would be no need for earthworks and whatever else is proposed,
thus reducing the disturbance to the entire area. Indeed, what
I would like to suggest to you is that if trains came into platform
5, that is, the existing slow line away from Liverpool Street
into Shenfield, were to run into sidings and then go into platform
4, surely that would do away with the need for your new platform,
and indeed, would bring some degree of certainty to passengers,
because they would then know that they always had to go to platform
4 for the train to London.
(Mr Berryman) Yes. That would require trains
to turn in a siding, which is normally frowned on by the Railway
Inspectorate. It can be done. Under our proposal, people would
go to an island platform, platform 5 and 6, and the train on one
side or the other would be waiting to take them.
6148. The Railway Inspectorate frown upon trains
going into sidings because of the danger of people being on the
trains still.
(Mr Berryman) That is correct.
6149. How long would those trains be in the
sidings in normal operational circumstances? Is it likely that
the train would remain in the siding under normal operational
circumstances for more than, say, five to 10 minutes?
(Mr Berryman) No, it would not be likely but
we would still be required to inspect trains before we went into
those sidings to make sure there were no passengers, which slows
down the process.
6150. Is it true to say that exceptions have
been made in other locations?
(Mr Berryman) There are a number of areas where
grandfather rights, so-called, operate, where they allow things
which have been done since time immemorial to carry on being done,
but with a new scheme it is very unlikely. We have not asked them
so we cannot be sure, but it is extremely unlikely.
Cross-examined by Mrs Ennals
6151. Mrs Ennals: May we have the picture
of the Hunter Avenue car park up, please, which actually shows
the proposed extent of its use by Crossrail under construction
for 21 months.[49]
I understand from Mr Berryman that there is going to be sited
in that area both toilet facilities and a canteen. To adjoining
residents, there is already a problem from refuse and rats. Our
local borough council has had great problems in the area. What
kind of refuse will collect? What kind of smells will the adjoining
property "enjoy"? Where exactly will these buildings
be sited on that 35 per cent? How will the railway embankment
be accessed? Will it be actually behind the properties in Hunter
Avenue which adjoin the car park? Also, in the diagram that was
shown earlier, showing that the three sidings would necessitate
the building up of the railway embankment behind our properties,
it seems that therefore the railway bank will encroach nearer
our properties. Will trains actually be standing on the earth
that is put newly into the railway bank to take the third siding?
I am told it will need no support. How safe will it be? Also,
what will be the visual impact on those properties with the sidings
closer to them?
6152. Chairman: That is quite a lot of
questions, Mrs Ennals.
6153. Ms Lieven: I could ask one of the
engineers to talk to Mrs Ennals while the division is going on.
6154. Chairman: I think it is a very
good idea for you to do that, because there is a division. We
will take at least 15 minutes for that division, therefore the
law on this occasion has defeated us and we are going to resume
this hearing tomorrow.
6155. Ms Lieven: I am ever so sorry,
sir, but Mr Berryman is just not available tomorrow. If necessary,
I will put another engineer on the stand to try to answer the
questions.
6156. Chairman: You may have to do that.
I really do want these petitions out of the way so that we can
continue, so I am now going to pause the Committee. I am sorry,
Mrs Ennals but we will get the engineer to talk to you in any
event during the break. You can come back tomorrow on the stand
or we can get the Promoters to write to you about it to see if
you are satisfied about that. We have to now go. It is a vote.
Order, order. We will resume tomorrow morning at 10 am.
47 Crossrail Ref: P70, Shenfield Station-Eastern Sidings
Proposed (BRWDBO-14904-020). Back
48
Crossrail Ref: P70, Shenfield Station- Eastern Sidings (BRWDBO-14904-022). Back
49
Crossrail Ref: P70, Brentwood Borough Council, Hunters Avenue
Car Park, Promoter's proposed reduced worksite area (BRWDBO-14904-001). Back
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