Anger at decision to delay Airtrack enquiry

It is understood the 'work' is research to look into and change part of BAA's proposals, which stated that three of Egham's level crossing could be down for up to 40 minutes each hour.

Earl Gray, chairman of the Preservation of Staines Moor, said: "The enquiry was probably going to take place in February next year, so this is irritating at the least and annoying at the worst. It shouldn't have been put back.

"I wouldn't even call BAA amateurs, that is too good a word, because you can't put in a proposal and then spend a few months finishing off all the details. This is what has happened here.

"I was planning to speak at the public enquiry, but I have stopped writing my objections now, because some of the issues I wanted to raise might not exist when the enquiry comes round because they have changed them."

Residents living in and around Staines and Stanwell Moor have objected to the train line being built on the grounds it will take up common land belonging to the people, create noise and pollution, and take away green belt land used for recreation.

Residents also fear it will look unsightly, and are scared that land could be contaminated due to 50,000 square metres of unidentified waste being removed from Hithermoor for the track.

But Egham residents are objecting on the grounds that the town's three level crossings in Thorpe Road, Vicarage Road, and Station Road, could be down for up to 40 minutes each hour due to the trains running from Waterloo to Heathrow Terminal five.

Meher Oliaji, vice-chairman of Egham Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is a great pity that BAA were sloppy enough to put the application in without doing the detained timetable modelling which they must have known would be demanded, but it does bolster our case that their figures and projections cannot be trusted."

But Ms Oliaji said the delay will allow them to put a more detailed objection statement together.

Andrew McLusky, of Diamedes Road, Stanwell, said: "The delay is very worrying because it means the residents have to wait even longer to hear an outcome which has been bothering them for years. We have a right to get it out of the way as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman for BAA said: "In view of this additional timetabling work we will be seeking an inquiry commencement date in late spring of next year. This will have the
additional benefit of allowing more time to discuss matters with objectors
and to seek to resolve or reduce the issues before the inquiry."