Author: Emma Gascoigne

E-Rail remains busy supporting transport authorities across the UK to secure landowner contributions, through Land Value Capture (LVC), towards funding important new railway stations and schemes.

We were pleased for the rail industry endorsement, and recognition of the positive impact our LVC methodology has had to help fund the Northumberland Line, as highlighted by Rail Minister, Huw Merriman at the Transport Select Committee on the 6th March.

Our method is adaptable and can be used for individual stations, or large new rail corridors such as East West Rail, where LVC could potentially support funding the future project stages between Oxford, Bedford and Cambridge.

With E-Rail, control remains with the public sector proponent and the independence of planning and transport processes are protected. Our method works across all levels of government in the UK including unitary, non-unitary, and regional authorities.

We’re delighted to be a finalist at the 2023 Spotlight Rail Awards.

E-Rail is a finalist in the ‘Service of the Year’ category along with other shortlisted entries from GoMedia and Greater Anglia.

George Hazel, Director of E-Rail said:  “Our unique way of funding rail projects is a game-changer for public transport investment and can help plug the UK’s funding gap that stops so many important projects.”

The winners will be announced at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on 30 March 2023.

Are you missing out on valuable funds to make your infrastructure project happen?    

It is normal for local authorities to use mechanisms within the planning process such as Section 106, or in the case of Scotland Section 72 contributions, or wider instruments such as Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to raise money to make sure that infrastructure in the region can keep up with new homes and businesses. This includes roads and schools. However, these charges miss most of the uplift in value created because they come at the end of the development process, by which time, value has been allowed to leak from the development process. In addition, CIL charges apply to all residents and businesses across a region, not just those that will specifically benefit from new local infrastructure that creates value uplift.

Capturing uplift at the beginning

Both existing methods can be effective to an extent, but there is a third method – pioneered by E-Rail – which is quietly appearing on the agenda where contributions are sought from landowners that obtain beneficial planning consent as a result of new infrastructure. This is particularly impactful where the council, as the planning authority, is required to raise money towards the cost of the project, (for example where a 25% local contribution is required towards infrastructure to be funded from central government grants).

Re-opening the Northumberland Line

The E-Rail methodology, which has been developed over the last 10 years has played its part in the re-opening of the Northumberland Line between Newcastle and Ashington, where it is estimated the E-Rail transport fund will generate around 25% of the capital cost.

This is substantially more than any S106, S75 or CIL; and achieves greater social equity, as those who benefit most make the contribution.

Harnessing funds for your project

If you are considering a heavy rail, light rail or bus rapid transit project in the foreseeable future then this method and the potential it could deliver should be included in your business case thinking. The E-Rail team can explain how it works, if it will succeed on your project and how much you might expect to collect.

Please contact George Hazel at  George.Hazel@E-rail.co.uk or https://www.e-rail.co.uk/contact-us/

 

 

Britain’s railways are enjoying a renaissance and new stations are opening across the UK as we wake up to the social, economic and environmental benefits of rail says John McGregor, Director of E-Rail, a company that is leading an innovative approach to funding transport initiatives that could see more projects take off in the North East of England.

But there’s a catch: despite the benefits, if you want a new station, the government will only provide 75% of funding. The other 25% is down to you. That’s where E-Rail can help with its innovative approach to Land Value Capture (LVC).

New stations create a hub commercial and housing development, which means substantial increases in the value of existing agricultural, brown or amenity land – and premiums on completed buildings of up to 20%.

Our experience has taught us that this is a tempting prospect for landowners and developers, whilst helping local authorities and transport bodies fulfil their own obligations and targets.

E-Rail is the UK’s expert in Land Value Capture for new rail stations projects – its recent success helping to fund the Northumberland Line speaks for itself.

Looking specifically at benefits there are those that relate to local authorities and transport bodies and those that relate to landowners and developers.

Experience shows that developments start sooner, sales are completed faster and price levels are higher, as building work on the new station is accelerated by the guaranteed funding.  LVC can secure the 25% funding requirement for new stations, which ensures projects can go ahead faster – or at all.

For the former they include:

• Undeveloped land near to proposed stations becomes more attractive.
• Greener, safer travel objectives met through reduced car use.
• Commercial and housing developments create vibrant communities and help achieve increased housing targets.
• The potential funds created through LVC can far exceed s106 and Community Infrastructure levies, whilst ensuring non-transport s106 funding remains intact.
• The process encourages long term partnership and collaboration with developers and landowners.

For the latter they include:

• LVC agreements can bring a degree of certainty to planning applications and be more valuable than the landowner might expect.
• Experience shows that developments start sooner, sales are completed faster and price levels are higher, as building work on the new station is accelerated by the guaranteed funding.
• LVC can secure the 25% funding requirement for new stations, which ensures projects can go ahead faster – or at all.

This article was featured in CompProp NEE April 2022.

E-Rail has been commissioned by the Witney Oxford Transport Group to bring its ground-breaking Land Value Capture (LVC) methodology to a new transport scheme in Oxfordshire.

This adds to a growing portfolio of studies on the applicability of LVC throughout the UK, and after E-Rail successfully worked with Northumberland County Council to secure the first true LVC in the UK, generating up to 25% of the cost of reopening the Northumberland Line.

George Hazel, Director of E-Rail, said: ““We look forward to supporting Witney Oxford Transport Group develop its funding strategy for the project to incorporate Land Value Capture.

“Witney Oxford Transport Group has a strategic vision to provide a new, high-capacity and sustainable rail connection between the west of the county and Oxford, and is currently campaigning for the development of the project with an outstanding bid to the DfT’s Restoring Your Railways Ideas Fund.”

Charlie Maynard, Chair, Witney Oxford Transport Group, said: “We’re delighted to be working – supported by Railfuture – with the E-Rail team.

“There is a great opportunity here to obtain a share in the uplift in value of new housing along the A40 corridor required to meet local growth targets over the next ten years to help fund the construction of the railway project.”

E-Rail has been commissioned by Glasgow City Council to bring its ground-breaking Land Value Capture (LVC) methodology to a new transport scheme in Scotland.

This adds to a growing portfolio of studies on the applicability of LVC throughout the UK, and after E-Rail successfully worked with Northumberland County Council to secure the first true LVC in the UK, generating up to 25% of the cost of reopening the Northumberland Line.

George Hazel, Director of E-Rail said: “Glasgow City Council has a vision of increased connectivity into and out of the city, as is considering investing in a number of projects to achieve this.

“We need to assess schemes in their infancy to make sure the opportunity for LVC is considered as part of the initial business case process, and that is what we are doing here. It’s good to now be working in Scotland, building on the work we have already delivered on transport schemes in the North East of England.”

E-Rail featured on Times Radio’s early morning breakfast show on Friday 23 April.

George Hazel was interviewed to explain how E-Rail can be used to help get more projects off the ground, the benefits for taxpayers and if E-Rail’s pioneering funding model could be applied to other projects outside of the railway.

E-Rail – working with Northumberland County Council – recently secured the first true land value capture in the UK, generating up to 30% of the cost of reopening the Northumberland Line.

Listen to the interview at around 49 minutes in: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/radio/show/20210423-3974/2021-04-23

E-Rail has been crowned ‘Transport Funding Company of the Year’ after being recognised by Corporate LiveWire’s 2020/2021 Scottish Prestige Awards.

The awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past 12 months.

The judging criteria covered areas such as service excellence, quality of the product/ service provided, innovative practices, value, ethical and sustainable methods of working, as well as consistency in performance.

Dr George Hazel, Director of E-Rail said: “We work hard to improve people’s lives by improving connectivity.

“We’re proud to receive this award, which recognises over a decade’s hard work in this pioneering area, that involves using land value capture to fund infrastructure projects.”

E-Rail – working with Northumberland County Council – has recently secured the first true land value capture in the UK, generating up to 30% of the cost of reopening the Northumberland Line

E-Rail has been commissioned by Transport North East to bring its ground-breaking Land Value Capture (LVC) methodology to transport schemes in the region.

This comes after E-Rail successfully worked with Northumberland County Council to secure the first true LVC in the UK, generating up to 30% of the cost of reopening the Northumberland Line.

George Hazel, Director of E-Rail said: “Transport North East shares our aspirations to improve the lives of people by improving connectivity through investment in enhancing the UK rail network.

“We’re extremely excited to be working more widely in the North East, following the success in Northumberland. It is becoming clear that LVC is increasingly being taken seriously as one of the key strategic funding components for new fixed transport infrastructure projects.”

E-Rail Director, Dr George Hazel, has been appointed as a board member of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

SPT is the largest of Scotland’s seven regional transport partnerships. SPT run the Glasgow Subway, a host of specialist bus services and are responsible for delivering better public transport for all.

Dr Hazel is committed to supporting organisations in improving transport and is also a non-executive director for the Board of Transport for Edinburgh and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Scotland.

George Hazel said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to this position on the SPT.  These positions enable me to support the excellent work going on across Scotland and the UK, especially in relation to Mobility as a Service (MaaS) and in Land Value Capture.”

SPT chair Councillor Dr Martin Bartos said:

“I’d like to welcome George Hazel to the SPT Partnership. This is a challenging time for SPT and for transport generally, so the work of the partnership is more important than ever.  I’m confident that the expertise we are gaining with the appointment of, not only George, but all our new members will be an invaluable addition to the partnership and of great benefit to the organisation.”