NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE

Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of State has accepted an application by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”) of Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG for a development consent order (“DCO”) under the Planning Act 2008 (“the Application”). The Application was submitted by Network Rail to the Secretary of State, c/o The Planning Inspectorate (“PINS”), on 19 December 2012 and was accepted on 10 January 2013. The PINS application reference number is TR040004.

Summary of the Scheme

The railway around Stafford, particularly Norton Bridge Junction, is a critical point on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) that needs to be upgraded. Trains travelling between Stafford and Stone/Manchester must cross two other tracks to switch between the WCML and the Stone branch. Services travelling between London and Glasgow are not able to pass through Norton Bridge Junction whilst this is happening, resulting in a major constraint on capacity and performance.

The Application seeks consent for the construction of new railway infrastructure (a grade separated junction) at Norton Bridge (some 6.5 kilometres north of Stafford) (“the Scheme”) which will allow services using the Stone Line to cross over the WCML. The Application would seek a DCO authorising amongst other things:

• the construction of a new section of railway (approximately 6.8 kilometres in length) partly in cutting, partly on embankment and partly on bridges which will split to the north of Searchlight Lane in two directions, one to join the WCML and the other to rejoin the Stone Line to the east including associated works;

• the construction of new bridges and widening of existing bridges to allow the crossing of watercourses, footpaths, the existing railway and highways;

• the diversion of two high pressure gas pipelines and the diversion of a fuel pipeline;

• a major realignment of the B5026 Stone Road and two other highway diversions;

• the permanent diversion of two footpaths (Chebsey Footpaths 10 and 11);

• any necessary diversions of the existing Meece Brook and River Sow;

• any necessary upgrade and widening works (both temporary and permanent) to surrounding roads;

• any necessary temporary interference with the highway and public rights of way in the vicinity of the proposed development to allow construction of the Scheme;

• the application and/or disapplication of public and local legislation relevant to the Scheme;

• the compulsory acquisition of land and rights in land and powers of temporary occupation of land to allow Network Rail to carry out and maintain the Scheme; and

• such ancillary, incidental and consequential works and provisions as are necessary for the Scheme.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The proposed development is “EIA development” for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009. The Application for a DCO is, therefore, accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Copies of application documents

A copy of the application form and its accompanying documents, plans, sections and maps is available for inspection free of charge from 17 January 2013 until 22 February 2013, at the following locations and times set out below:

Copies of the application documents can be viewed online on the relevant page for this Scheme accessible via PIN’s website – see http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/west-midlands/stafford-area-improvements-norton-bridge-railway/.

Copies of the application documents will also be available online through Network Rail’s website at www.networkrail.co.uk/Stafford-NortonBridge from 17 January 2013.

They can also be provided on request from lindy.gilbert@networkrail.co.uk or by telephone 01270 727649. A reasonable copying charge may apply up to a maximum of £450 for the full suite of documents and £5 for an electronic copy on CD. Copies of individual documents are also available on request. A reasonable charge may be applied.

Responding to the application

To make a representation to the Secretary of State in respect of the Scheme (i.e. giving notice of any interest in, or objection to, the Application) you must submit it on a registration form. Detailed guidance on registering and making representations is provided by PINS in Advice Note 8.3: How to register and become an interested party in an application, which can be accessed online at http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Advice-note-8.3v4.pdf and to which you are advised to have regard.

Representations should be submitted on a fully completed Planning Inspectorate Registration and Relevant Representation form. You should include a summary of the points you wish to make about the application, covering what you consider to be the main issues, what you agree with or disagree with in the Application and why, and what you consider the impacts will be.

The Planning Inspectorate Registration and Relevant Representation form will be made available by PINS on the relevant page for this Scheme, accessible via PINS’ website – http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/west-midlands/stafford-area-improvements-norton-bridge-railway/.

Alternatively you can request a hard copy of the form by telephoning 0303 444 5000 quoting the name of the Scheme. Any hard copy form to be submitted to PINS should be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, National Infrastructure Directorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN. The PINS reference number (TR040004) should be quoted in any correspondence.

Any representation must be received by PINS no later than 17:00 on Friday 22 February 2013.

Please note that representations will be made public.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents to

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited

50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL

17th January 2013