Three members of the working group, accompanied by Harald Tobermann, Vice-Chair of Leith Central Community Council today met with Council officers at Waverley Court to discuss the potential Powderhall Railway Path.
The meeting was constructive and covered quite a lot of the issues we have been looking at over the past two years. However as we’ve been aware for some time, the real stumbling block is Network Rail who own the railway line. Unless and until a deal is concluded with the Council to transfer ownership and management of the line over to them, there will be little practical progress. As we were also aware, Network Rail may want to retain the option of running trains via the Abbeyhill Loop line.
We managed to convince officials to undertake a scoping study to look into factors such as land ownership; the contract with DB Cargo/Network Rail (see previous post on LCCC minutes); the work package required to undertake a full survey of the line (and structures such as bridges, retaining walls); and the proposed feasibility study. The scoping study, unlike a full feasibility study, would not require permission from Network Rail for track access, does not need major expenditure on surveyors and consultants, and could be completed relatively quickly.
We also suggested that officers look at implementation in phases. This could mean that even if Network Rail decide they require the Abbeyhill Loop for future capacity expansion at Waverley station, the unused trackbed from Powderhall could potentially be converted to a path running as far as Lochend Butterfly/Lochend Park to the east, and Norton Park to the north.
We have agreed to meet with officers again in February when they will update us on progress, and we will have the opportunity to comment on any proposals, prior to them reporting to the North East Localities Committee in March.
So, still a long way to go but some small progress.
Powderhall Railway Path Working Group 