Examination of Witnesses (Questions 16040
- 16050)
16040. As I say, that is being worked on and
you have just laid down a market that it is critically important?
(Mr Taylor) It is, yes.
16041. So far as the third matter is concerned,
to work with the rail served tenants to reconfigure the site and
so forth, and to permit construction of the dive-under and the
existing rail served activity, we understand that to be part of
AP3 and, therefore, it is premature at this stage; but how important
is it to Mendip Rail that you are still able to have access to
that site and to the existing tenants there to take your aggregate?
(Mr Taylor) As was shown by my diagram earlier
on, I think it is essential for the operation of our trains through
the yard and also to the sites that we have got at Acton, which
are my two customers; and we must have continuous supply to them.
16042. Could we go back to what we had up there.
There is a reference there to the "dive-under", how
important is that?
(Mr Taylor) Again, I think it is essential.
16043. There was talk about the up relief-line
at Acton on Tuesday evening. Do you remember that?
(Mr Taylor) I do.
16044. I think at the present you do not send
any trains directly north of Acton; they all go into Acton and
you split up your trains there. Is that right?
(Mr Taylor) That is correct.
16045. The time might come when you no longer
had a contractual relationship with EWS, so what is your view
about this up relief-line?
(Mr Taylor) I think there
was a comment made by Ms Durham yesterday which I think was that
it is essential. If EWS have got full control of the yard that
would affect competition and us using different train operators
through the site. Also, in the case of any disruption, you have
got an alternative line there which is controlled by Network Rail,
I imagine.
16046. The last matter here is Plumstead, which
is one of the strategic sites in which you are about to acquire
an interest. We do not need an exhibit. When Mr Berryman gave
evidence, Day 51A at paragraph 15050, he said that was going to
look at the question as to whether it was possible to maintain
a freight site at Plumstead. How important is it that there should
be a freight site at Plumstead?
(Mr Taylor) It is very important because the
South East of London is developing, and certainly we have been
looking for the last two or three years at putting a depot in
that area.
16047. The Thames Gateway area, which is one
of the focuses of the Government's planning, has a substantial
area south of the river, does it not, just east of Plumstead?
(Mr Taylor) Yes, and there are very limited
strategic freight sites in that part of the world. Graham Smith
made a comment about "must have rail access"; but any
site must have road access as well, planning permissions and also
areas to stock materials.
16048. Can we put up on the screen your exhibit
MRL3, dealing with compensation.[106]
Could we please zoom in on it. I explained that you are seeking
a special compensation. Can you please explain the two circumstances
during construction which are likely to lead to loss which will
be uncompensated unless you have a special provision?
(Mr Taylor) Yes, one will be extended journeys
for trains, so we will have to purchase more wagons and locomotives
to run our existing business.
16049. Mr George: Why will there be extended
journeys to trains?
16050. Mr Liddell-Grainger: I suspend
the sitting until Tuesday, 10 o'clock. There is a division in
the House.
106 Committee Ref: Acton Yard, Plain English Heads
of terms - The Promoter's position (SCN-20060713-011). Back
| 
