Purpose of this website
To provide detailed information
on:
1) Network Rail’s design plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Bristol and
eventually beyond.
2) The nature of the adverse visual impact Network Rail is imposing on the Goring Gap, a beautiful valley
within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
3) The protection afforded by legislation which should safeguard the Goring Gap from the environmental
damage currently being caused by Network Rail.
4) The aims and activities of The Railway Action Group (RAG), a small group of concerned local residents,
councillors and conservationists, who are trying to ensure Network Rail mitigates its design to meet its
legal obligations to protect the landscape in the Goring Gap.
5) How people who support the aims of RAG can help in various ways to put pressure on Network Rail to
reduce the environmental damage it is inflicting on the Goring Gap. How to Help.
Important: Although the installation of the electrification infrastructure is now at an advanced stage, it is still not too late for modifications to what is already in place to reduce the adverse visual intrusion of the landscape.
Network Rail has stated that it would be prepared to take down and replace the infrastructure already installed if it was found to have failed in its duty. During a meeting held in Goring Parish Council office on 15 July 2015, Network Rail was asked by members of RAG whether NR would do retrospective work if that were necessary due to later legal rulings. A senior executive from the NR delegation responded “If we have failed in our duty… we will accept retrospective work.” Asked for clarification if NR was prepared to “even take down and replace?” NR confirmed that it would.
1) Network Rail’s design plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington to Bristol and
eventually beyond.
2) The nature of the adverse visual impact Network Rail is imposing on the Goring Gap, a beautiful valley
within two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
3) The protection afforded by legislation which should safeguard the Goring Gap from the environmental
damage currently being caused by Network Rail.
4) The aims and activities of The Railway Action Group (RAG), a small group of concerned local residents,
councillors and conservationists, who are trying to ensure Network Rail mitigates its design to meet its
legal obligations to protect the landscape in the Goring Gap.
5) How people who support the aims of RAG can help in various ways to put pressure on Network Rail to
reduce the environmental damage it is inflicting on the Goring Gap. How to Help.
Important: Although the installation of the electrification infrastructure is now at an advanced stage, it is still not too late for modifications to what is already in place to reduce the adverse visual intrusion of the landscape.
Network Rail has stated that it would be prepared to take down and replace the infrastructure already installed if it was found to have failed in its duty. During a meeting held in Goring Parish Council office on 15 July 2015, Network Rail was asked by members of RAG whether NR would do retrospective work if that were necessary due to later legal rulings. A senior executive from the NR delegation responded “If we have failed in our duty… we will accept retrospective work.” Asked for clarification if NR was prepared to “even take down and replace?” NR confirmed that it would.
