24 Mar 2023
Rail freight campaigners have rebuffed suggestions by the leader of Herts county council that they ‘misinterpreted’ his comments about the development.
Speaking at a demonstration outside County Hall on Monday, Cllr Richard Roberts was said to have told Joy Mendelsohn from Park Street Residents Association that the site would be better off as a lorry terminal.
It was also said that he did not know how to enforce developers Segro to pay for necessary road improvements, that he had not read all the information provided by the campaign’s KC, and that the rare River Ver chalk stream could not be protected from any damage caused by the scheme.
Cllr Roberts subsequently claimed his comments were misinterpreted, adding: “Segro have a planning permission to build a rail freight interchange serving a commercial development.
“We have always been reluctant sellers of the land in question, opposed the building of the SRFI and lost at appeal when the Secretary of State overturned the local decision.
“We have resisted selling the land but now as St Albans has confirmed the development has started and we have been offered a fair price we cannot thwart the Secretary of State’s decision.
“We will work closely with St Albans council to ensure the planning conditions that Segro have signed up to are delivered. These are a new by-pass for Park Street, improvements to the A414 and a new country park with cycle and walkways.”
But following his statement, members of the Save St Albans: Stop the Freight protest group said his comments were witnessed by several people, who all confirmed what was said.
Campaigners issued a firm rebuttal of his latest statement, covering each of his comments in turn.
The key point now is whether he believes it will be a rail terminal or a lorry to lorry haulage depot. A point he has failed to clarify.
He fails to mention how Secretary of State Eric Pickles overturned the local decision nine years ago and that independent legal advice since then confirms the legal advice Herts CC have received that because of the length of time since that decision Herts can refuse to sell the land if they have “good reasons”. Such good reasons include significant material changes that show the terminal is not needed, not viable or likely to be a lorry rather than rail terminal. The other good reason is if Herts CC have no legal agreement for the developers to fund the necessary infrastructure improvements because of the development – estimated to be at around £100m.
The Department of Transport has also confirmed that Herts have not asked any questions about rail freight requirements, despite two alternative sites at Willesden and Sundon Quarry near Luton being developed since Pickles’ decision in 2014. Save St Albans: Fight the Freight have provided clear examples that a “reluctant seller” would explore, not ignore.
There is no agreement with the developers to fund the infrastructure required on the A414, the roundabouts at Park Street and London Colney or other local roads. Herts CC will have to foot the £100m bill – that’s equivalent to the annual roads budget for the whole county.
Herts are agreeing £30m for land where current market value is £225m. We suggest only Richard Roberts would consider this a fair price. And, as shown in recent advice, they are not obliged to sell.
There is no by-pass planned for Park Street. Segro have agreed to fund a road from the A414 into the site (approx £22m for what Segro call a relief road but is more like a service and perimeter road). It offers neither relief nor a by-pass for Park Street because there are restrictions at the southern end for HGV access, meaning traffic to and from Colney Street will continue to thunder through the village on the A5183.
The country park already exists so will not be new!
Members of the campaign have also responded to his comments.
Joy Mendelsohn said: “I know what he said and what I heard. He was in no doubt when he said this would be a lorry terminal not a freight terminal. Other demonstrators were witnesses. And it’s interesting that in his statement he doesn’t deny saying this.”
Cllr Nuala Webb from Save St Albans: Fight the Freight said: “If anyone is misinterpreting things it’s Richard Roberts. When he says he’s cannot thwart the Secretary of State, he’s clearly misinterpreting the legal advice, given to Herts CC and to us.
“That advice says Herts CC are under no obligation to sell if they have good reasons. And those good reasons exist. There are significant changes in rail freight requirements since this site was approved nine years ago that mean it is no longer viable as a rail freight terminal as Cllr Roberts admitted when speaking to demonstrators on Monday..
“The advice also says good reasons include financial liabilities that fall on the council for improvements to infrastructure that should be funded by the developer. There is no agreement for the developer to pay these. But there will be £100m worth of road improvements on the A414 and the roundabouts at Park Street and London Colney that will therefore be paid for by Herts CC and Hertfordshire residents.
“Herts CC have made such a mess of this it’s no wonder Cllr Roberts is in a muddle. It’s time for some clear thinking and clear action. Stop the sale now.
“The people of Hertfordshire don’t want this development. Changes to freight requirements over the last nine years show it’s no longer viable. Oliver Dowden MP from his own party says it is ludicrous and unnecessary. Daisy Cooper MP has argued that the council don’t have to sell the land. Legal advice says the council don’t have to sell the land. It’s time for the council leader to listen to the people who matter and time for him to stop the sale.”
