Examination of Witnesses (Questions 16700
- 16719)
16700. Footpath 15 A goes over it?
(Mr Graham) I tried to keep
things simple at that point but yes, there is a bridge over it.
Footpath 17 runs on the south side of that canal for the whole
width of that map and there is a bridge called Leeds Bridge crossing
it to the north.
16701. Mr Hollobone: You said the footpath
was not on the documentation in terms of rights of way. That was
a mistake when the documentation was drawn up?
(Mr Graham) Yes.
16702. Are there any particular local factors
which, in your opinion, would have led to the footpath not being
included? In your expert opinion, why do you think the mistake
was made?
(Mr Graham) Ever since I
have lived in Iver, and I do not dispute this, the notice, that
you will have seen a photograph of, has been there. The mistake
was made many years ago after the Countryside and Rights of Access
Act 1949 and it was at that point I think the mistake was made,
when that section of the park between that canal and the bridge
was not put on the definitive map because prior to that there
had been unauthorised deviations.
16703. Is there anything peculiar between the
land and the canal?
(Mr Graham) No, none at
all no. Part of it is farmed, that is the part to the left, and
part of it is now the industrial estate, that is the part between
the bridge and Iver Station.
16704. Mr Hollobone: Thank you.
16705. Chairman: Ms Lieven?
Cross-examined by Ms Lieven
16706. Ms Lieven: Just a few questions,
sir. On that last point, Mr Graham, between the bridge and the
canal, there is a pre-cast concrete factory, is there not?
(Mr Graham) That is right.
That is the western edge of the industrial estate, yes. You see
it as you walk north along Iver 15A to your right-hand side.
16707. Can I ask, when did you last walk across
the bridge?
(Mr Graham) In February
this year.
16708. Because you said in your evidence in
chief that it was a footpath "without let or hindrance".
If we can put up our 001, to start with first of all on the south
side of the bridge there is a gate which is certainly locked on
Sundays, is there not?[37]
(Mr Graham) I have never seen
it locked in my life.
16709. I will ask Mr Berryman.
(Mr Graham) That padlock
appears to be fairly new, I may say; the gate is not.
16710. I will ask Mr Berryman about that. Also,
if you look at 004 the footpath is at the present time extremely
seriously overgrown.[38]
(Mr Graham) No. That is perfectly
walkable. This is the footpath 15A. On the right-hand side is
the fence to the cement works, the edge of the industrial estate.
It has been there for many decades. On the left-hand side are
some trees and bushes planted in about 1990. It is true they have
grown up and it is true, because of the planting, the trees getting
larger, they will in the future require more maintenance. That
particular stretch is particularly lush and growing because of
a leak from the concrete works. They very kindly, instead of keeping
the waste water themselves, let it flow into the park, hence the
lushness there. To my mind, that is a perfectly acceptable country
footpath. In fact, you can see the wade-through in the middle
of the long grass people have walked. There is no obstruction.
16711. You may not have any knowledge of this
matter, but I feel I should ask you. It is right, is it not, by
the British Railways 2 Act 1992 powers were given by Parliament
to demolish the bridge and not replace it?
(Mr Graham) I could not
say that. I understand that in general terms but I cannot answer
that.
16712. You have given an estimate of £100,000
to provide a replacement bridge.
(Mr Graham) In that order.
16713. Is that from your own expertise or have
you had an engineer look at it?
(Mr Graham) It was an estimate
based, it is true, on the 1990 deliberations that I have seen
record of in the county council at the time. It may well exceed
that now but it is in the six-figure range.
16714. I think I should put this to you, it
will be Mr Berryman's evidence that a light weight steel replacement
bridge, so a cheap bridge as opposed to a brick replacement, would
cost in the region of £1.4 million which is £1 million
more than the scheme in the Bill. Obviously the demolition itself
costs something so that is why the differential is important.
That will be the evidence which Mr Berryman will give but you
are not an engineer, Sir
(Mr Graham) No, but I find
it difficult to believe that has risen ten-fold in the last 10
years.
16715. Thank you very much, Mr Graham, those
are all my questions.
16716. Mr Suggett: I have no re-examination
except to say that I think when you said the path was not put
on the map according to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act
1949, you meant the National Paths of Access to the Countryside
Act.
(Mr Graham) I am sorry,
I got the wording wrong.
16717. Thank you very much.
The witness withdrew
16718. Ms Lieven: Can I call Mr Berryman,
sir. While Mr Berryman is making his way to the witness chair
can I say two things. First of all, it is not between Taplow and
Iver, as I am sure Member of the Committee will have realised,
it is between Langley and Iver for the transcript. The other thing
I should have said in opening is that the reason we are hearing
this is I am afraid both Mr Berryman and I have managed to get
thoroughly confused about the route by now. I should have said
in opening that the reason we are hearing this petition today
is that if the Committee do find for the Petitioners and we should
replace the bridge, it will need to be dealt with by an additional
provision and therefore I am afraid we will have to ask the Committee
to make a decision on this issue either today or within the next
few days because the Committee are aware of the very tight timetable
on additional provisions which is the whole reason why we asked
for an interim decision yesterday and I should have said that
in opening.
Mr Keith Berryman, recalled
Examined by Ms Lieven
16719. Ms Lieven: Mr Berryman, you are
well known to the Committee but perhaps you could tell Mr Graham
and Mr Suggett who you are.
(Mr Berryman) I am the Managing
Director of Cross London Rail Links which is the company set up
by the Government and Transport for London to assist with the
promotion of this Bill.
37 Crossrail Ref: P117, Dog Kennel Bridge-Locked gate
to south of bridge, 4 June 2006 (LINEWD-9104-001). Back
38
Crossrail Ref: P117, Dog Kennel Bridge Links-Public Footpath
15A, mid point walking north (LINEWD-9104-004). Back
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