Very useful meeting with Bernard Garner this morning who is working with NCC to progress the re-opening. Geoff Paul, Director of Local Services was due to be present but was apparently sick. Bernard discussed current progress of the scheme, now going through Network Rail’s GRIP 2 phase. Bernard is fully aware of and shares my concern to ensure the project is not over-engineered and remains at an affordable price level. There are nevertheless some very genuine issues which will need to be overcome. The report from Network Rail is due in February or March 2016 and that will be a crunch point in determining whether the Council will move forward. I look forward to being kept updated by NCC and appreciated today’s meeting, and hope to meet Geoff on another occasion shortly.
