Project example: Hitchin Rail Curve Public Inquiry, Hertfordshire

As a major improvment to the East Coast Main Line between London and Scotland, Network Rail proposed to construct a new rail curve fly-over at Hitchin, Hertfordshire. This project included the construction of a rail embankment between Hitchin and neighbouring town Letchworth Garden City, necessitating large quantities of construction fill material be imported by road over a two year period.

Wormald Burrows Partnership Ltd were engaged jointly by North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) and Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to represent them at the Public Inquiry against the Network Rail proposal to use a haul route along the Wilbury Hills Road, in Letchworth Garden City, without necessary road widening and improvement works being undertaken.

Convincing evidence was presented by Wormald Burrows Partnership Ltd to demonstrate that with the proposed necessary rates of two-way HGV traffic along this route, road safety would be compromised to an unacceptable degree.

The inspector's decision upheld the NHDC and HCC objections, as presented by Wormald Burrows Partnership Ltd, and required Network Rail to undertake extensive road widening and improvement works before Wilbury Hills Road could be considered suitable to be used as part of their proposed haul route.

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