Notice is given that Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”) of Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9AG proposes to apply to the Infrastructure Planning Commission under section 37 of the Planning Act 2008 for the above-mentioned development consent order (“the proposed application”).

The proposed application seeks consent for a new section of railway to the north of Ipswich Goods yard in the districts of Ipswich and Babergh, linking the East Suffolk and Great Eastern lines, as part of Network Rail’s upgrading of the cross country route from Felixstowe to Nuneaton.

The proposed DCO application will, amongst other things, authorise:

• Construction and maintenance of a railway chord linking the 2 lines mentioned above, including the widening of the embankment carrying the Great Eastern Main Line, reconstruction and widening of the bridge carrying that railway over Sproughton Road; a bridge over the River Gipping; an embankment carrying the proposed railway and the reconstruction of the bridge carrying the East Suffolk Line over the River Gipping;

• Associated development, including diversion of a surface water sewer; extension of the training wall on the south side of the River Gipping; and an access road (extending the existing access) in the former Harris Factory site, through the proposed embankment by means of an underpass, together with ancillary works including the demolition of the former cold storage building in the said Harris Factory site;

• the compulsory acquisition of land for the proposed works and ancillary purposes, including worksites and environmental mitigation; the acquisition of rights over specified land; provisions for the temporary use of land in connection with the authorised project; and the extinction and creation of private rights; and

• The operation and use of the railway; temporary stopping up of highways; provisions relating to streets, and powers to survey and investigate land and to lop trees overhanging the proposed works.

The proposed works are “EIA development” for the purposes of the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009. This means that the proposed works constitute development for which an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required. The proposed application for a DCO will, therefore, be accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

The documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of the proposed development, including information so far compiled about environmental impacts (preliminary environmental information) are available for inspection free of charge from 8 March until 11 April 2011 at

• Ipswich County Reference Library, Northgate Street, Ipswich IP1 3DE, opening hours Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9.00am to 6.00pm; Tuesdays and Fridays, 9.00am to 7.00pm; Saturdays 8.30am to 5.00pm and Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm; and

• Babergh District Council, Corks Lane, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 6SJ, opening hours Mondays to Thursdays 9.00am to 5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00am to 4.30pm.

Copies of the documents, plans and maps will also be available online through Network Rail’s website at www.networkrail.co.uk/felixstowe-nuneaton from Wednesday 9 March 2011. They can also be provided on request from lindy.gilbert@networkrail.co.uk or telephone 08457 114141. A reasonable copying charge may apply, up to a maximum of £425 for the full suite of documents and £5 for an electronic copy on CD. Copies of individual documents are also available on request.

Network Rail is consulting on the proposed application. Any representations on the proposals should be made in writing to Penny Carter at Network Rail, Manchester Square One, 4 Travis Street, Manchester M1 2NY or by email to penny.carter@networkrail.co.uk. The deadline for receipt of responses by Network Rail is 11 April 2011. Please quote “Ipswich Chord” in any correspondence.

Network Rail requests that responses state the grounds of representation, indicate who is making it, and provide an address to which any correspondence relating to the representation may be sent. Please note that responses will be made public.

Winckworth Sherwood LLP, parliamentary agents and solicitors, Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London SE1 9BB, on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.

8 March 2011