A REVIEW of whether Network Rail has been a ‘considerate neighbour’ to people in North Oxford has been requested by the Government.

The decision by Rail Minister Paul Maynard follows a row between the firm and Oxford City Council over whether more noise dampening is needed at tracks near people’s homes.

Mr Maynard (pictured below) said it was ‘not appropriate’ for him to directly intervene in the spat but said he understood residents’ concerns.

Oxford Mail: Rail minister Paul Maynard MP. Picture: Department for Transport.

In a letter to city council leader Bob Price, seen by the Oxford Mail, he wrote: “I am writing to Network Rail asking them to review their mitigation plans and outline to me how it is ensuring it is operating as a considerate neighbour, as far as is reasonably practicable, and why the mitigation it has implemented differs between sections.”

His comments came after work to double the tracks between Oxford and Bicester was completed as part of the East West Rail scheme.

This allowed services from central Oxford to London Marylebone to open last month, but Network Rail still has yet to agree what measures it will put in place to reduce the noise from passing trains along some sections in North Oxford.

It has clashed repeatedly with the city council about what is needed, with residents calling for ‘silent track’ technology as well as noise barriers in some areas.

Network Rail insists this would not be cost effective and it is resisting attempts by the city council to force it to use silent track.

Claims the Government had supported moves to abandon the silent track prompted city council leader Bob Price to write to ministers.

In his letter, Mr Price wrote: “Network Rail offered to run a trial of rail damping on a section of track in the area under consideration in order to establish what benefits would arise from its application as well as costs.

“However, that offer was withdrawn and Network Rail alleged that the Department of Transport had instructed them that rail dampening should not be provided and therefore that trials were unnecessary.”

But Mr Maynard said the East West Rail board, chaired by the Department for Transport, had only asked Network Rail to decide if the scheme was cost effective.

Last month Network Rail western route boss Mark Langman said he was ‘sorry’ about the row but added: “It is difficult to please everyone all the time.” The firm could not be reached for comment on Friday night.