?3.8m Levelling Up project derailed as Network Rail delays train …

A £3.8 million Levelling Up project to transform a railway station has hit the buffers – after a mining survey was ordered. The cash – allocated through the Government’s Town Deal Fund – has been earmarked to extend Kidsgrove[1] Station with a new station forecourt and car park.

But high-level discussions are now being held to try to keep the project on track. It follows the discovery of a number of unstable underground mine shafts in the area.

The issue was raised at a Newcastle Borough Council[2] meeting.

READ: Work on brand new Meir Station could begin ‘by the end of the year’[3] – The new station will be accessed either by a footbridge from George Avenue, or from Uttoxeter Road, which runs alongside the A50

READ: Green light for £80m plan to rebuild M6 junction that causes misery every day[4] – Politicians have long been calling for changes at Junction 15

A council officer said: “Regarding Kidsgrove Station, we’re still under discussion with Network Rail around the foundation works for the car park. That’s gone right to the top in terms of the chairman of Network Rail.”

Council leader Simon Tagg added: “We are still working with Network Rail regarding improvements to Kidsgrove Station and we are currently awaiting two essential pieces of information. First, what remedial groundwork is needed and to understand the costs connected to that. Second, how much of the money originally earmarked for HS2 can be redistributed to this project to pay for the works. We are working closely with the constituency MP Jonathan Gullis who is lobbying the government to ensure the funding is forthcoming for this important regeneration project.”

It is understood that cash has been identified to fund the mining survey. But it is reportedly being delayed because site owner Network Rail is refusing to take responsibility for any problems the survey might reveal. Preliminary estimates suggest around £3 million could be needed to cover the coal excavation required to stabilise the ground properly.

A Network Rail spokesman has confirmed the issue is the subject of ongoing discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT).

A DfT spokesperson said: “Since the announcement of Network North and the support for Kidsgrove, we have been engaging with partners to find an affordable and value for money solution to the mining remediation work in Kidsgrove.”

References

  1. ^ Kidsgrove (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  2. ^ Newcastle Borough Council (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  3. ^ READ: Work on brand new Meir Station could begin ‘by the end of the year’ (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)
  4. ^ READ: Green light for £80m plan to rebuild M6 junction that causes misery every day (www.stokesentinel.co.uk)