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COLWALL PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Assembly of the Parish Meeting duly convened and held at the Colwall C of E Primary School, Colwall Green, Colwall on Wednesday 27^th February 2008.

1. Welcome and apologies for absence.

The Chairman, Mrs Nicky Carless welcomed circa 100 members of the Public,

10 members of the Parish Council,

3 representatives of Network Rail – Chris Mair –Public Affairs, Mike Smith – Structural Engineer and Ian Fostic - Engineer and

3 representatives of Herefordshire Council – Cabinate Member - Councillor Brian Wilcox, Martin Jackson and Michael Hayes.

Also present were Herefordshire Councillor Roy Stockton and Councillor Rees Mills

Apologies had been received from Councillors Mills and Morris

2. Report received from Herefordshire Council and Network Rail regarding Colwall Green Railway Bridge

Representatives of Network Rail and Herefordshire Council were invited to explain the proposals as set out in Progress Report no 5, the rationale behind the proposals and the timetable when this information is developed.

Herefordshire Council provided a detailed breakdown of the timetable of events that they had undertaken since the bridge closure in August 2007.

Network Rail provided a timetable for the replacement bridge. The highlight of this report was that the timetable for the new bridge has been shortened by the normal 3 year timetable to 12/13 months from February 2008. Detailed engineering reports, which have been compiled since the bridge closure in August 2007, have given Network Rail sufficient information to enable them to provide the timetable presented, which indicates the replacement bridge should be open to all traffic by the end of March 2009.

A further detailed progress report, produced jointly from Herefordshire Council and Network Rail, is due the week commencing 3^rd March 2008. This will provide details of the works and will include a written statement confirming both parties committement to delivering within the timescale set, and confirming the funds are in place to deliver within the timescale detailed.

It was AGREED the Clerk will liaise with the emergency services over concerns about access to the Village if the road is closed in Upper Colwall, taking into account the current vehicle restrictions over the Bridge

3. Parishioners Question Time.

Numerous questions were asked and answered regarding the facts presented.

Should any parishioners not be able to access the monthly progress reports via the Parish Council’s website or the Village Notice Boards, these can be requested direct from Herefordshire Council by calling 01432 261800,

or emailing streets@herefordshire.gov.uk

or by writing to Herefordshire Council, Highways and Transportation Department, Unit 3, Thorn Business Park, Rotherwas, Hereford HR2 6JT.

The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

Chairman…………………………. Date………………