Oliver Dowden, Member of Parliament for Hertsmere, and Anne Main, Member of Parliament for St Albans, have written a joint letter exposing concerns over what provisions have been made for the enormous numbers of workmen and heavy equipment that will be needed to construct the Radlett Rail Freight Terminal.

The works needed to accommodate workers and equipment were not included as part of the broad Outline Planning Permission obtained for the Rail Freight Terminal in 2014. These were ‘reserved matters’ and are subject to more specific additional planning applications that are currently being considered by St Albans Council.

Oliver said: ‘As I have said all along, one of the many problems with the rail freight terminal is that they will not be able to find workers for the site in the surrounding area. Workers will have to travel from London and Luton, further adding to the pressure on our roads. SEGRO promised that they would provide adequate transport for their workers but they do not appear to have any plans to do so. This is yet another gaping hole in the planning process for this completely inappropriate rail freight terminal.’

A public consultation will be running on these additional reserved matter planning applications (Refs: 5/2016/2964 and 5/2016/3006) until 9 November 2016 where members of the public can make their views known.

Oliver added: ‘I have made my own opposition to this proposed rail terminal loud and clear on many occasions. Like many others I will be responding the public consultation on the additional planning applications the developers have to seek and I also await their response to the questions that Anne Main and I have posed with great interest.’

To read a copy of Oliver and Anne Main's letter, please see the file below.