UK lobby groups hit out at rejection of rail terminal
Rail group says the decision is a step in the wrong direction
Sustainable transport campaigners have criticized the UK Coalition Government’s rejection of the second planning application for a rail freight interchange in Kent.
Transport campaigners describe the decision as a step in the wrong direction for developing the low carbon economy.
Philippa Edmunds, manager of transport coalition Freight on Rail, said: “Rail freight has an important role to play in the green economy, but the sector needs clarity in planning.
“Without approval for terminals, which must be situated to meet market requirements, freight cannot be transferred to rail.
“The result will be a missed opportunity to cut road congestion, emissions, and the risk to drivers of road accidents.”
More than three years ago, residents launched a bitter war against plans to build the Kent International Gateway (KIG) at Bearsted, near Maidstone.
Developer AXA had argued the 110ha facility would create thousands of jobs and would have moved millions of tonnes of freight a year from HGVs onto trains.
However, arguments put forward by the local councils and other objectors at last year’s public inquiry were upheld by the planning inspector and the Secretary of State.
They argued that KIG would cause substantial harm to the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter welcomed the Government decision to reject the Kent International Gateway as “a victory for common sense”.
He said: “The Kent International Gateway was a non-starter. It would be a travesty for a rail freight depot of this scale to go at the foot of the Kent Downs, one of our most treasured and protected sites.”
Transport campaigners describe the decision as a step in the wrong direction for developing the low carbon economy.
Philippa Edmunds, manager of transport coalition Freight on Rail, said: “Rail freight has an important role to play in the green economy, but the sector needs clarity in planning.
“Without approval for terminals, which must be situated to meet market requirements, freight cannot be transferred to rail.
“The result will be a missed opportunity to cut road congestion, emissions, and the risk to drivers of road accidents.”
More than three years ago, residents launched a bitter war against plans to build the Kent International Gateway (KIG) at Bearsted, near Maidstone.
Developer AXA had argued the 110ha facility would create thousands of jobs and would have moved millions of tonnes of freight a year from HGVs onto trains.
However, arguments put forward by the local councils and other objectors at last year’s public inquiry were upheld by the planning inspector and the Secretary of State.
They argued that KIG would cause substantial harm to the setting of the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter welcomed the Government decision to reject the Kent International Gateway as “a victory for common sense”.
He said: “The Kent International Gateway was a non-starter. It would be a travesty for a rail freight depot of this scale to go at the foot of the Kent Downs, one of our most treasured and protected sites.”
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