North Herts District councillors backed officer s recommendations last night concerning Network Rail s plans to build a rail viaduct between Hitchin and Letchworth. Members on the council s planning control committee have agreed to drop their objections

North Herts District councillors backed officer's recommendations last night concerning Network Rail's plans to build a rail viaduct between Hitchin and Letchworth.

Members on the council's planning control committee have agreed to drop their objections on Green Belt and environmental grounds to the rail curve, whilst maintaining an objection on highway issues.

Network Rail want to take the Cambridge Branch line over the East Coast Main line where they meet on Green Belt land north of Hitchin station.

The council, as consultees on the project, said there was not enough detail about the impact of bringing in 300,000 tonnes of construction materials to the site.

Network Rail hope to get planning permission for the �60m project from the Government to begin work in September 2011.