There has been another example recently of a resident writing to this newspaper before doing research or checking facts.
In the April 2 edition of The Voice, on the issue of Network Rail and its relationship with the district council, the letter contains incomplete and baseless statements regarding having a conversation with someone about who knew what and when. This approach does not assist the reader to understand the subject.
The district council has not made Network Rail public enemy number one. Its approach has always been to enter into a constructive dialogue in order to provide the maximum benefit to our residents. As elected councillors it’s our duty to speak up for our residents, their quality of life and to protect our environment.
I do actually live next to the railway line and I declared this fact when I spoke on the subject.
The request from Network Rail to SHDC to grant access to an area of council owned land in order for work to take place at Vernatts Bridge was first discussed at the cabinet meeting and we then decided to move this decision to the full council meeting, which would allow all councillors to speak and vote on the matter.
At the council meeting, councillors including myself and the leader spoke about issues including: concerns about work being carried out 24 hours a day, which could have major implications in terms of noise, dust, security and general quality of life; and covenants which restrict what the land could be used for, which might cause nuisance or annoyance.
The financial offer from Network Rail was not their standard offer. This was in fact their second offer and they informed us that the need to replace Vernatt’s Bridge was not urgent, but was a requirement to allow rail traffic to go through Spalding at a faster speed.
This information and decision has not been kept hidden, and it is recorded within the public minutes from the meeting of July 23, 2014.
I have personally received positive feedback from residents in the Fern Park area regarding the position we, as a council, took on this issue. I believe we made the correct decision here by listening to the concerns of our residents and standing up for them.
In the future, I hope we can avoid confusing opinions with the facts.
If we can do that, then we will all be better informed.
Councillor Gary Taylor
Spalding Castle Ward
