The first step is to talk to the relevant local authorities.This is a statutory requirement under Section 47 of the Planning Act 2008 if the scheme is pursuing a Development Consent Order (DCO), and good practice for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO).

Agreeing the consultation plan with the local authority in advance helps to identify any issues they might have with the approach, and ensures you are targeting the right people and areas. The local authority can also provide useful insight, and suggest any relevant local stakeholder groups you should be engaging with.

You should produce a strategy document. For TWAOs, these are titled ‘Approach to Community Consultation’ (AtCC). For DCOs, they are called ‘Statement of Community Consultation’ (SOCC). Here’s an example of a previous Approach to Community Consultation 

Once you’ve submitted the AtCC or SOCC to the local authority, give them 28 days to respond with any feedback. Make sure you build enough time into a programme to be able to take this feedback on board. Once the consultation goes live, share the AtCC or SOCC on the Network Rail website.