The Secretary of State for Transport gives notice under section 14(1)(b), 2(A), 3(A) and 3(AA) of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (“the Act”) that he has determined under section 13(1) of the Act to make with modifications the Network Rail (Ordsall Chord) Order (“the Order”).

The Order was applied for by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“NR”) of 1 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 2DN. It will authorise NR to construct a new elevated chord railway linking the Bolton Lines railway near Castlefield Centre with the Chat Moss Lines Railway near Salford Central station in Greater Manchester. It will also authorise the compulsory acquisition of land and rights in land for the purposes of the scheme.

The Secretary of State has, pursuant to section 14(1)(a) of the Act, given notice of his determination by way of a decision letter dated 25 March 2015, copies of which may be obtained from the TWA Orders Unit, Department for Transport, Zone 1/14 -18, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR. This letter gives the reasons for the determination and the considerations upon which it is based; information about the public participation process; and information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the determination and the procedures for doing so.

The Secretary of State confirms that, before making his determination, he considered the environmental statement submitted by NR and all objections and other representations relating to those documents; and that he otherwise complied with the obligations referred to in section 14(3A) of the Act. For the purposes of section 14(3AA), he confirms that the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy any major adverse environmental effect are those referred to in paragraph 30 of the decision letter.

Martin Woods, Head of the TWA Orders Unit, General Counsel’s Office, Department for Transport, Zone 1/14–18, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR