Notice is hereby given that application has been made by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”) to the Secretary of State for Transport under section 6 of the Transport and Works Act 1992, for the above-mentioned order under sections 1, 3 and 5 of that Act for the purposes of which the following is a concise summary:—

To construct and maintain a new chord railway in the metropolitan districts of the City of Manchester and Salford comprising an elevated chord linking the Bolton Lines railway on the existing Castlefield Manchester, South Junction & Altrincham Railway viaduct (“the MSJ&AR viaduct”) near the Castlefield Centre with the Chat Moss Lines railway on the existing Middlewood Liverpool & Manchester Railway viaduct (“the Middlewood L&MR viaduct”) near Salford Central Station.

The Order includes provisions for—

• construction of a bridge to carry over the River Irwell to replace the existing Prince’s Bridge;

• construction of a bridge to carry utility apparatus and a footpath and cycle track over the river Irwell adjacent to Castlefield Bridge;

• temporary works in the river Irwell to enable construction of the authorised works;

• 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 and permanent stopping up of highways; provisions relating to streets, and powers to carry out protective works to buildings on specified land; to survey and investigate land; and to lop trees overhanging the proposed works.

This application is made subject to an environmental impact assessment.

The application contains a statement that a direction for deemed planning permission is being applied for.

A copy of the application and of all plans and other documents submitted with it, may be inspected free of charge from 16 September to 28 October 2013 at the following places and times:

Copies of the documents will also be available online through Network Rail’s website at www.networkrail.co.uk/ordsall from 16 September 2013. They can also be provided on request from lindy.gilbert@networkrail.co.uk or telephone 01270 727649. A reasonable copying charge may apply, up to a maximum of £435 for the full suite of documents and £5 for an electronic copy on CD. Copies of individual documents are also available on request.

Further information about the proposals can also be obtained by telephoning Network Rail’s national helpline on 08457 11 41 41.

Any objections to, or other representations about, the proposals should be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, General Counsel’s Office, Department for Transport, Zone 1/18, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR, email transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

An objection or representation MUST (i) be received by the Secretary of State on or before 28 October 2013, (ii) be made in writing (whether sent by post or email), (iii) state the grounds of the objection or other representation, (iv) indicate who is making the objection or representation, and (v) give an address to which correspondence relating to the objection or representation may be sent. (If you are sending your objection or other representation by e-mail, please provide a postal address and state “Ordsall Chord TWA Order” in the subject of the email.)

The Secretary of State may make complete copies of the objections and other representations public, including any personal information in them, and will copy them to the applicant for the Order.

All requests for further information, notices or other documents required to be served upon the applicant may be sent to Winckworth Sherwood.

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

Date 16 September 2013