A NEW greenway project using a former railway line will see Lichfield District Council take on responsibility for a number of bridges along the route, a report has revealed.
The former South Staffordshire Line linking Lichfield to Chasewater via Hammerwich will be repurposed as a cycle and walking route as part of the proposals.
The council has partnered with the Back the Track group to develop proposals for the 6.5km route as part of proposals to create a “green corridor”.
A lease has been put forward by landowner Network Rail which could see the local authority take on responsibility for all aspects of the former railway line.
A report from Cllr Janice Silvester-Hall, cabinet member for visitor economy, ecology and climate change, said that if the deal was agreed it would need additional budget put in place for maintenance and regular inspections of the route.
“Under the terms of the lease the council will become responsible for all Network Rail-owned structures along the agreed route, including bridges, embankments, structures, cuttings, buildings and culverts etc.
“Network Rail have provided asset reports for all structures. There are six bridge structures along the route that interact with roads. Four of the six have traffic passing through the bridge and the Greenway route passes under the remaining two.
“The council has also commissioned its own independent structural engineer to assess all the structures and we now in receipt of these reports.
“While the initial risk mitigations can be funded using UKSPF and GBSLEP funding there is a recognition that, as a minimum, some ongoing revenue budget is likely to be required for maintenance works and inspection regimes and potentially a capital budget to implement longer term risk mitigations.
“Depending on the conclusions of the insurers, we may decide to self-insure some aspects of the project and this may results in reserves being set aside specifically for this project.”
Some clearing work has already taken place on the route before the lease is formally agreed.
Cllr Silvester-Hall’s report said that some details were still being ironed out before the formal agreement to take on the line could be completed.
“Network Rail has issued a ‘take it or leave it’ 50 year lease agreement, with no break clause for Lichfield District Council.
“Our lawyers have attempted to negotiate, and we have liaised with various colleagues at Network Rail, including at a senior level, to explore whether there is any flexibility on this, and received the same response.
“We have asked if it is possible to have a shorter lease, and we are awaiting a response.”
The report will be discussed at a meeting of Lichfield District Council’s cabinet on 3rd December.
Sorry, but more money being “splurged” on a project , that although having admirable aims does not come anywhere near the top of the list of Lichfields needs?
So we the council tax payers are going to fund all repairs for the next 50 years? Imagine the scenario one of these 6 bridges is deemed unsafe or develops a problem Network Rail will simply say its LDC problem they’ll pick up the bill. This cannot go ahead under these terms and conditions!!!
Alan
What are Lichfield’s needs
This project is for everyone in the area.
With the help of volunteers this is a great project for young and old alike to enjoy.
Hopefully this will engage people with Sandfields Waterworks and the Canal Trust
Wow that is quite a risk for a little district council to take on, for a cycle track. Look what happens to embankments on operational infrastructure with climate change and the resulting wet land slips that require tens of thousands of tons soil to be removed and stabilised. Significant bridges a Fosseway Lane and Pipe Hill. It is almost like these councillors need to justify their existence with grand and risky projects. Could we not get the canal at least half done first? Network Rail will be laughing, to palm all this risk off. It was never residual BRB-Beeching stuff and remained operational as far as the A5 until the early 00s.
Don’t touch it with a bargepole LDC. You haven’t got the staff to maintaim this!
I’d rather have a train line than a greenway
@Mr Harper. This is exactly why we can’t have nice things. People complaining. Moaning constantly about any initiative. Particularly when those people have no idea about how things work, how projects are funded, or even how elections work. It’s no wonder why a lot of people, decent people, don’t stick their necks out to get things done. You want all the potholes filled? Great. Who does that? How is it funded?
What do you choose not to do to find the money, or do you put the taxes up? Cut adult social care, or child protection to fill the pot holes? OK.
I have walked many once railway lines across the country. The Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail being two quite near by. It is hard to imagine they could operate on the basis being proposed by British Rail for this ‘greenway’?
Like many deals of late our council is inclined to take all the risks. The expenditure over a fifty year ‘take it or leave it’ period has the potential to be very high. Perhaps our new MP could appeal to the Minister of Transport to have this disused line bought back into use as a public amenity.
High Risk 50 year Financial Commitment for LDC.
1965 this Line was closed so almost 60 years ago.
Nature has created its unique Biodiversity during this time.
Leave it Alone,