A LEGAL battle between Network Rail and Oxford City Council could be averted after councillor demands to use ‘silent track’ were put up for review.

The move could overturn a decision made by the west area planning committee last week, which required the firm to use rail damping in North Oxford.

Councillors said this was necessary to protect residents who were concerned about faster and more frequent trains disrupting their lives.

But planning officers warned the demand was likely to result in a costly appeal, with a QC also advising the council that it did not have strong enough legal case.

The committee narrowly voted to keep the condition anyway, despite some arguing fighting an appeal would be a waste of taxpayers money.

And tonight a city council spokesman confirmed their decision had now been ‘called in’ for consideration by the planning review committee. 

It infuriated North Oxford residents, with campaigner Keith Dancey claiming it was an attempt to ‘ride roughshod’ over concerns about people’s welfare.

He said: “They are trying to rely upon the ignorance of non-local councillors on the planning review committee.”

The twelve councillors who have supported the ‘call in’ include six executive board members.

They are: Alex Hollingsworth, Louise Upton, Pat Kennedy, Jean Fooks, Christine Simm, Sian Taylor, Mary Clarkson, Dee Sinclair, David Henwood, John Tanner, Mark Lygo and Ed Turner.