Plans to reopen Wisbech rail-link could be key to stopping mega incinerator proposals
News that Wisbech rail is back on track with a report saying it will provide value for money and be a massive benefit to the town, could also hold the key to stopping the planned incinerator.
Wisbech Town Council leader Councillor Sam Hoy said she was blown away by the "very positive" report published last week which said the opening of the railway link had a BCR (benefit cost ratio) of 2.2. That means the benefits will outweigh the costs by more than double.
But she fears the whole project could be put in jeopardy by plans by MVV Environment Ltd to build a mega-incinerator off Algores Way, because if the burner gets the go-ahead it will sever the railway and block the proposed site of the new station.
As a result of the report's publication Coun Hoy said she requested a briefing on the next stage of the project, which will involve further reports and both the Government and Network Rail working out a way to fund the scheme.
Before the BCR was announced there had been fears the rail-link would prove too expensive at £200m, but the draft Full Business Case concluded the rail-link between Wisbech and Cambridge would not only provide value for money, but would be "transformative" for the town's economic potential.
Coun Hoy said: "This report is fantastic news, I don't think anyone was expecting it to be so positive and it means the re-opening of the railway line will more than likely go-ahead.
"That is good news in itself. But the fact the report bases the BCR on a town station, which would be located near Nestle Purina, is also good news in the fight to stop the incinerator.
"I truly believe it could be the key to stopping the incinerator in its tracks, because if it is built it will completely jeopardise the rail-link scheme - and that has backing from everyone including local MP Steve Barclay and the Government.
"We need to harness the fact the incinerator will ruin plans for the station to our benefit. I know they might argue that waste could be brought in via rail, but there would still be a need for major road improvements and the reason the southern access road has been put on hold is because it would sever the railway line."
She also said fears the public will miss out on having their say over the incinerator plans because consultation meetings have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic are false.
Coun Hoy said: "There is a legal requirement for public consultation, the process is still in the very early stages and there will be public consultation further down the line. There is no absolutely no-way the plans can move forward without consultation."
In the meantime Coun Hoy said anyone writing to MVV Environment or the planning inspectorate to object to the incinerator should include the fact the scheme will jeopardise the reopening of the railway line.
