OFFICIAL
Network Rail
Freedom of Information
By email: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
The Quadrant
Elder Gate
Milton Keynes
MK9 1EN
E xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx
27 July 2021
Dear Andy Soames
Information request
Reference number: FOI2021/0815
Thank you for your email of 29 May 2021 in which you requested the following
information:
‘I understand the signalling works are being developed in the following areas. I
would like to request details of the scope of each project and details of its expected
timeline, this can be by way of pre existing documents where they exist. For the
avoidance of doubt as a minimum this should include the geographic boundaries of
the scheme, details of whether the scheme is like for like or includes any
enhancements, and where control of the signalling in the area will rest on
completion.
I have processed your request under the Environmental Information Regulations
2004 (EIR). The EIR, like the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), allows people to
access information held by public authorities, like Network Rail. When people ask for
environmental information, we need to consider the request under the EIR rather than the
FOIA.1 The signalling plans meet the definition of environmental information at
Reg.2(1)(c) of the EIR2 because your request is asking for future plans of our railway
infrastructure which is likely to affect elements of the environment as described in the
legislation.3
1 Section 39 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) exempts environmental information from the FOIA and
requires us to consider it under the EIR.
2 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/3391/regulation/2/made
3 Where environmental information is requested, this is exempt from disclosure under Section 39 of the FOIA but public
authorities are instead required to consider it under the EIR. Under regulation 2(c) of the EIR, “environmental
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Registered Office: Network Rail, One Eversholt Street, London, NW1 2DN Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www.networkrail.co.uk
OFFICIAL
Regulation 12(4)(d) – Material in the course of completion
Regulation 12(4)(d) of the EIR states:
‘a public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that (d) the
request relates to material which is still in the course of completion, to unfinished
documents or to incomplete data’
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has provided the following guidance on the
application of Regulation 12(4)(d):
‘Regulation 12(4)(d) is engaged when the request relates to material that is still in
the course of completion, unfinished documents or incomplete data… [M]aterial
which is still in the course of completion can include information created as part of
the process of formulating and developing policy, where the process is not
complete… 4’
The detailed plans for these resignaling works are still in the early stages of being
designed. As such, our internal experts are still developing firm plans and these are
therefore work that is still in the course of completion.
The public interest test
I am content we have demonstrated that the exception at 12(4)(d) is engaged. However,
in order to withhold the information we must also show that the greatest public interest
lies in doing so. There is always a general presumption in favour of transparency and
accountability in relation to public spending. We understand the importance of promoting
openness where public funds are concerned and aim to disclose information in response to
FOI and EIR requests.
One of the key purposes of the EIR is that people should have access to information to
help inform public debate about environmental decisions. We recognise that providing
information on future re-signalling works would support the public’s capacity to engage in
environmental decision making locally.
information” includes any information relating to measures or activities affecting, or likely to affect, the environment.
For the full text of the EIR, see: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/3391/pdfs/uksi_20043391_en.pdf
4 Paragraph 4 of the ICO’s guidance on Regulation 12(4)(d) of the EIRs. See https://ico.org.uk/media/for-
organisations/documents/1637/eir_material_in_the_course_of_completion.pdf for the full text.
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OFFICIAL
Set against this is the fact that, to ensure we reach appropriate decisions and deliver
necessary infrastructure upgrades to the best of our abilities, we need a ‘safe space’ in
which to work. It is very much in the public interest to allow our experts the space to carry
out their work without external pressure, as this will lead to better results overall for the for
rail passengers.
Having weighed up these arguments. I do understand that there is some interest in the
detailed re-signalling plans at this stage. However, we believe that disclosure of this
information would ultimately be detrimental, as it would jeopardise the safe space needed
to further develop this proposal. Additionally, the summary information I am providing to
you below I believe satisfies the public interest at this time.
I have been provided with a brief summary of the works our signalling engineer compiled
which he thought may be of interest to you. These are all subject to change based on the
final detailed plans which are still being compiled.
Harrogate – Poppleton
There are works planned in the Harrogate Signal Box area.
We are currently planning to extend the life of the existing signalling assets through the
renewal of life expired and obsolete signal assets which, once complete are intended to
maintain the current reliability levels as a minimum. The control of the signalling
equipment is to remain at Harrogate SB. The geographic boundaries of this work are
between mileages 18m 60ch and 20m 38ch on the Engineers Line Reference HAY2.5 This
work is a “like for like” renewal as there are no planned enhancements as part of this work.
Selby & Gascoigne Wood
In the current business plans, there is a plan to “re-signal” the current Selby SB area where
it will be re-controlled to the York Route Operations Centre (ROC) as part of this scheme. It
is planned as a like for like renewal and is not an enhancement project. As with many of
our projects they will interface with any enhancement projects in the area. For this project
(Selby Re-signalling) there is collaboration with the Transpennine Route Upgrade project.
The boundaries of the works (Selby SB Area) are:
HUL16
21m 10ch – 30m 40ch
5 Engineers Line Reference HAY is the line from Harrogate to York with HAY2 being Starbeck North Junction to
Harrogate Station
6 Hull to Selby Station
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OFFICIAL
HUL27
30m 40ch – 31m 12ch
HUL38
0m 0ch – 3m 18ch
SEC9
0m 0ch – 0m 32ch
TCW110
170m 70ch – 174M 11ch
Currently this project is in its infancy and the details of the work are currently in the
process of being written up into the Contract Requirements – Technical (CRT)
There is a plan to rationalise the signalling in the Gascoigne Wood area. This is to
facilitate Harworth Estates (HE), who are the owners of the sidings, to be able to develop
from a freight perspective. Network Rail and HE are currently resolving legacy issues over
the site which we hope will be concluded shortly. Once completed this will enable the
works as agreed between both parties to commence. These works will retain Gascoigne
Wood signal box. The boundaries of this work are:
HUL3
5m 7ch – 6m 50ch
We also have a plan to re-control Gascoigne Wood signal box to York ROC, which is
proposed to commission in early Control Period 7 (CP7) (2024-2029) with the work due to
start on the remitting side in the next year. The boundaries are:
HUL3
5m 7ch – 9m 25ch
SHG11
13m 70ch – 14m 17ch
I hope this is useful. If you have any enquiries about this response, please contact me in
the first instance at xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx or on 01908 782405. Details of your appeal
rights are below.
Please remember to quote the reference number at the top of this letter in all future
communications.
Yours sincerely
Joanne West
Information Officer
7 Selby to Selby South Junction
8 Selby South June to Micklefield
9 Selby Canal Goods Curve
10 Temple Hirst Junction to Selby South Junction
11 Sherburn Curve
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OFFICIAL
The information supplied to you continues to be protected by copyright. You are free to
use it for your own purposes, including for private study and non-commercial research, and
for any other purpose authorised by an exception in current copyright law. Documents
(except photographs) can also be used in the UK without requiring permission for the
purposes of news reporting. Any other re-use, for example commercial publication, would
require the permission of the copyright holder. Please contact me if you wish to re-use the
information and need to seek the permission of the copyright holder.
Appeal rights
If you are unhappy with the way your request has been handled and wish to make a
complaint or request a review of our decision, please write to the Head of Freedom of
Information at Network Rail, Freedom of Information, The Quadrant, Elder Gate, Milton
Keynes, MK9 1EN, or by email at xxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xx.xx. Your request must be submitted
within 40 working days of receipt of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. The Information Commissioner
(ICO) can be contacted at Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF or you can contact the ICO through the 'Make a
Complaint' section of their website on this link: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/
The relevant section to select will be "Official or Public Information".
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited Registered Office: Network Rail, 2nd Floor, One Eversholt Street, London, NW1 2DN Registered in England and Wales No. 2904587 www.networkrail.co.uk