The latest information released at the Announcement dated 10th January 2012.
The line of the route has not changed but the track level has been raised again with more detail added to he extent of the retaining walls and cuttings into and out of Burton Green. The length of the ‘’Green Tunnel’’ is increased.
There are still many questions that remain unanswered.
3.1 Burton Green
3.1.1 Concerns were expressed about the impacts on Burton Green where the consultation route would follow the disused Berkswell to Kenilworth railway corridor into deep cutting, passing the village in a short section of green tunnel. Requests were made to lengthen the green tunnel to mitigate impacts on residential properties in the village and concerns were expressed about potential impacts on a local walking and cycling route along the disused Berkswell to Kenilworth line.
3.1.2 In reviewing the alignment through this area it became clear that we had lowered it more than necessary, creating a cutting of around 27m deep. Construction would lead to more local disruption and result in more spoil generation that would need to be re-used locally or removed from the site.
3.1.3 We have developed a proposal that would reduce the depth of the cutting to a maximum of 19m and increase the length of the green tunnel at Burton Green from 300m to 520m, taking it beyond residential properties in the village.
3.1.4 By extending the green tunnel northwards past the main residential area and grounds of the community hall this refinement would significantly reduce the impact of the scheme on Burton Green and its community facilities. Raising the alignment would reduce construction disruption and spoil generation whilst still reducing the impact of trains in the section of track in cutting.
3.1.5 Overall this option would perform better in terms of sustainability with moderate reductions in landscape and visual impact at Burton Green. The alignment change would result in a small decrease in the numbers of people who would experience a noticeable increase in noise and a reduction in the numbers who would experience the higher levels of noise that would qualify them for additional noise insulation. Largely due to the shallower cuttings and slightly higher embankment, the benefits obtained for Burton Green would be partially offset by marginal increases in noise elsewhere within the study area and within the vicinity of Broad Wells Wood. Through preliminary design we would seek to mitigate these impacts further. The proposed revision is preferred in terms of sustainability.
3.1.6 This would have no impact on journey times and, as a result of reducing the depth of the cutting, would result in a decrease in costs of around £20 million to £30 million compared to the consultation route. We would work with local stakeholders through the EIA to mitigate impacts on the walking and cycling route.
3.1.7 We recommend that this revision be included in the line of route.
Extract from the review of possible route refinements, published 10th January 2012
