Less than nine weeks until outcome of freight terminal saga is known (East of England Liberal Democrats)

East of England Liberal Democrats <info@eastlibdems.org.uk>

Less than nine weeks until outcome of freight terminal saga is known

February 3, 2012 2:44 PM
Originally published by St Albans Liberal Democrats

It looks as though the long wait for the final decision on the proposed lorry terminal in Park Street will soon be over.

The witnesses at the most recent Public Inquiry into Helioslough's proposal and other interested parties have just received a letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government which says:

"The Secretary of State has considered carefully all the representations before him. On the basis of the submissions received, he is of the view that there are no substantive issues which require the Inquiry to be re-opened and he has therefore decided that he is in a position to re-determine the appeal on the basis of all the evidence and representations now before him... The Secretary of State will issue his decision in this case on or before 5 April 2012."

It all now depends on one man, Eric Pickles, and the advice he receives from his departmental lawyers. Will he uphold his decision - challenged in court by Helioslough on a legal technicality - to overturn the Inspector's recommendation that the terminal should be allowed? Or will he cave in?

David Yates, Liberal Democrat District Councillor for Park Street, said: "I was pleased to see, going through the bundle of final representations included with this letter, that St Albans Civic Society had endorsed and underlined the previous representations from David Parry and Sandy Walkington. They agree that the impact of motorway widening on the local road network and also the alternative opportunity offered by Sundon, north of Luton, need to be borne in mind by Mr Pickles.

"Our view remains that these matters could have been best explored in a re-opened Inquiry, but that is not to be. The Secretary of State took his previous decision on the basis that there is an alternative - indeed, better - site at Colnbrook, on the Great Western mainline near Slough. That site has better rail connectivity in terms of access and loading gauge than our own Midland Mainline. For now, the residents of Park Street and the south side of St Albans - and all the Thameslink commuters who would be massively impacted by the alteration works to the Elstree Tunnel which the freight terminal would require - can only hope that Mr Pickles stands by this judgment, against the flurry of competing lawyers' letters. The wait will be over in less than nine weeks."