Category Archives: HS2

Update on HS2 in South Ruislip

As part of the ongoing work for HS2, further HS2 works are planned to start over the next couple of months in South Ruislip.  The major ones being the digging of the vent shaft at the ARLA site and further ground utility surveys in Bridgewater Road, Great Central Avenue and Victoria Road.
Starting in June last year, the vent shaft site has been cleared and prepared, and now the excavation work begins.
Up to date information from HS2 on works in the area can be seen here:
If you want more information from HS2 directly of compensation for the effects of the build on your home and or business then the following contact information may be useful.
There are people who can help you keep track of what is going on in the area. Keep your eyes open and ask questions- contacts are below they are paid to inform you. 
 
Residents Charter Commissioner 
The Charter is the promise to keep residents informed- an independent Commissioner helps us keep to our promises? 
CONTACT residents commissioner@hs2.org.uk 
 
Construction Commissioner  
To mediate and monitor the way HS2 Ltd manages and responds to complaints. 
CONTACT  complaints @hs2-cc.org.uk 
 
HELP DESK  
Freephone: 08081434434 
Email:hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk 
To keep up to date: www.hs2inyourarea.co.uk 
 
To compensate for the disruption HS2 have a Community and Business Fund 
BLEF: Business and local economy fund. 
CEF: Community and environment fund 
For information about the funds and how to apply –www.groundwork.org.uk/hs2funds

An update from HOAC

From HOAC

HOAC to close due to HS2

From 1st October HOAC will be forced to close as the Centre finally succumbs to the advancing HS2 project.

HOAC will continue to exist; we have the funding in place to relocate and we will return. There will however be a period of time that we will be unable to operate.

For the past few seasons HOAC have managed, with plenty of support from many influential people, to hold HS2 at bay and be able to continue offering this unique opportunity to a wide range of users. Those that have used the Centre this season will have seen how HS2 are advancing and closing in on us.

2020 season

The 2020 season has been a very challenging one with managing both the disruption from HS2 and the Covid Pandemic. Despite that we have been very pleased to see so many people continuing to make use of the Centre through our Covid opening program and our summer holiday courses. Thank you all for managing to navigate our website (which wasn’t designed for how we have used it this summer) and apologies for those that have had issues trying to use it. I would also like to thank you for continuing to use the Centre despite having to navigate Dews Lane and the security teams on it. Seeing people making use of the facilities is what keeps us going and helps gain us political support when we are trying to negotiate our future.

2020 winter and beyond

Unfortunately as already stated from 1st October we are being forced to close as HS2 will finally take over and destroy our Centre. We had always planned that when this day would come we would be able to move to a new site and continue our operations elsewhere. However due to stalled negotiations between HS2 and LBH (London Borough of Hillingdon) we are not yet ready to move to a new site, so the Centre will face a period of closure. At this stage we do not know how long we will be closed for or where our new site will be, however we are pushing the government hard to resolve the stalemate and hopefully in the near future I will be able to share some more positive news. We are still hopeful that by next Spring we will be operating at a new site

Membership

Those with annual membership or longer deals, we thank you for your continued support of the Centre, as we will have a period of closure we can offer you a couple of options regarding your unused membership.
1. We can refund you for the unused portion of your membership
2. We can hold your membership fee and use this as a credit for future membership once we re-open.

We would obviously prefer you to choose the 2nd option as this gives us greater negotiating power regarding our future with the safe knowledge that we have the support of our current members, and we will ensure that this deal is a better value than a refund.

We will assume that if you do not contact us that you are happy to proceed with option 2. If at a later date you change your mind the refund option will still be available. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Boat Parking

For those with boats at HOAC we will have staff continuing to ensure the Centre and your boats are stored safely so you are welcome to leave your boats at HOAC until such a point that we relocate. You will still be able to access the Centre to work on your boat or to take it away for a weekend trip for example. Access will need to be pre-planned with the office to ensure we have people here for you and that HS2 security are aware that you are coming. So regarding boat-parking we have a couple of options

  1. Leave your boat at HOAC with limited access
  2. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a credit for future boat parking once we re-open
    3. Remove your boat from HOAC and get a refund for your unused portion

If you do not contact us we will assume you are happy for your boat to remain here. When contacting the office please email admin@hoac.net we are still running with a smaller team in the office due to Covid-19 and may not always be around to answer the phones.

Groups

We are still hopeful that we will be able to run our school and groups program in 2021, we have groups reserving dates for the summer of 2021 and again this helps us with our negotiations and future planning. As we get further into the Autumn we will be in a better position to know what we can do and will contact all the groups booked in once we have more updates.

HOAC’s Future

Although, at present our future doesn’t look particularly bright, HOAC will carry on once we get over this short-term closure. Due to our negotiations and persuasion the funding for moving HOAC is guaranteed and is written into the Hybrid Act, so HOAC will move and get funding to execute that move.

I do hope you are able to continue to support the Centre as we negotiate this latest hurdle in what has been a 10-year battle. Once we re-open free from the shackles of the HS2 burden that has blighted the Centre for many seasons we can again look positively towards the future and start to re-build the Centre and continue to offer the unique facilities that you have all continued to enjoy.

Thank you all for your continued support and we will see you back out on the water in 2021
Neil Maddock
Centre Principal

HS2 Updates : Information event about West Ruislip tunnel portal

  • Monday 23rd September HS2 will be at The Barn Hotel from the 4pm and 7pm.

At the events you’ll be able to find out about HS2’s updated tunnel portal design, the tunnel boring machine cable programme, archaeological works in the area, and HS2’s construction activities until the end of the year, including  lorry routes and movements.

If you can’t make Monday there are a couple of different days.

  • Saturday 21 September, Harefield Community Centre, between 11am and 2pm
  • Wednesday 25 September, Ickenham United Reformed Church, between 4pm and 7pm

More details on the HS2 website.

 

 

Minutes of the Quarterly Meeting 23rd January 2019

Lively meeting on Wednesday with updates from our local Police, a comprehensive presentation from HS2 representatives and Sqn Ldr Tenniswood from RAF Northolt.

 South Ruislip Residents’ Association (established in 1939)

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 23rd January 2019.

AGENDA

  1. Opening Remarks.
  2. Apologies for Absence.
  3. Minutes of Meeting.
  4. Matters Arising.
  5. Reports: Chairman, Treasurer, CRS, Secretary.
  6. Reports from Ward Councillors.
  7. Any other Business

NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON 23rdh January 2019 AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL THE FAIRWAY 8 PM

  1. Opening Remarks

Vice Chairman Sid Jackson chaired and opened the meeting at 8pm. Sid welcomed everyone to the meeting.

In attendance were 54 residents and 10 committee members. Councillors present Cllrs Teji Barnes, Allan Kauffman & Cllr Steve Tuckwell & Eddie Lavery

Sid introduced the new constitution which was printed off and distributed with 50 copies for voting at the AGM.

  1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Lynne Kauffman

  1. Minutes

No comments on the minutes

Sid distributed copies of the updated constitution for members to read which includes a section on diversity and inclusion.

4.0 Police.

PC & PCSO Anne-Marie talked through the crime figures as attached.  226 crimes. Anne-Marie highlighted break-in of motor vehicles being high and preventable.  Burglary higher at the moment – with thieves attracted by new goods from Christmas.  Be secure – put on a radio in the day as well as timer lights.

Discussed the benefits of Smart Water in use of crime prevention.

Anne-Marie asked about OWL and was encouraging people to use the system as a strong form of Neighbourhood Watch.  https://www.owl.co.uk/met/

5.0 Treasurers Report

Current account £451.90 and deposit £13,378.75.  Income and expenditure will be published for 2018 at the AGM next meeting.

6.0 Chief Road Steward

Please with the number of RS’s and only one more RS sought.

7.0 HS2

Slide deck for South Ruislip RA meeting Jan 19

Presentation from Grant Blowers, engagement Graham Dean Power Supplies.

The engagement team are to engage with local councillors, residents associations, residents etc. They are getting more staff to deal with issues. They will hold drop-in clinics every week in the area (although not in S Ruislip).  Recommended residents to sign up to www.hs2inhillingdon.commonplace.is  There is also a help desk 08081 434 434.

Power for the TBM

Stan on the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). The main issue is the electricity requirement which will come from a substation at North Harrow. Stan provided an update on the Power Supply route which needs to be dug to supply the electric.  Needs a heavy power supply 33kv and 20MVA (1MVA powers 250 domestic properties).  The cable will power the lighting and ventilation post build.

The route will go along residential streets as will minimise disruption vs main roads which they were considering.

They will dig a trench approx. 1.5m x 1.6m holding the cables. Roadworks in affected roads will last from 2 to 4 weeks.

Roads in Hillingdon affected are:

Rushdene Road, Deane Croft Road, Meadow Way, Hawthorne Avenue, Lime Grove, Myrtle Avenue, The Uplands, Westholme Gardens, Manor Way, Midcroft and Ickenham Road.

Work to start Q3 2019 and will last around a year on the cable route.

The drilling of the tunnels will start on West Ruislip and head to Old Oak Common.

SCS Works in South Ruislip

Matthew.  Putting a team in place at the moment and turn HS2 scheme into a more detail focused piece of work and they will seek planning permission from the borough councils for the required permits and work. Talked through next stages such as earthworks (2020-2023), civil engineering projects (2019 to 2025) and the railway installation 2024 to 2026.

TBM set to launch around 2021 from West Ruislip.

Discussed the work and impact.  There is an impact agreement to minimise disruption to traffic though they will close lanes etc. Discussed the vent shaft at South Ruislip.

Questions from the floor

Any air quality monitoring on the roads due to the lorry movements?  Not from HS2 representatives.  This is done by the local authority (Hillingdon).  They will be using Euro 6 lorries to minimise environmental impact (this is a most recent vehicle requirement). Pressure from the meeting on the councils to monitor.

Noise from the vent shaft?  Designed not to do that with fans to cool the tunnel and mitigate the noise.

What is the vent shaft diameter?  They would confirm later.

Cllr Kauffman raised concern re the lorry movement along busy roads and the damage caused.

Further questions discussed.

We will invite people from HS2 again to speak later in the year.  The update was appreciated.

8.0 RAF Northolt

Sq Ldr James Tenniswood.

Runway resurfacing.

It needs resurfacing, last done in 1977.  Needs to be repaired to continue as a military airport.  The runway will close between April and October.  It will be dug out completely and will be drained properly and improve the arrester beds.  Work delayed as the previous contractor was Carrillian who went into receivership.

The runway will remain the same size but at pains to point out it might look slightly longer due to the increased size of the arrester bed.

How will the closure affect the air traffic at the site? They will operate operation Bolthole.  Flights Rotary will come in. Fixed wing will move to RAF Benson who will be flown to there via helicopter.  Commercial flights will move elsewhere but will resume post build.

Heathrow consultation.

Dept of Transport mandated requirement to get improved use from the air space.  Use old technology at the moment and will use GPS to make faster routes.  RAF Northolt will be doing the same exercise later in the year.

RAF Northolt won’t be affected by Heathrow’s proposed plan.

Drones. 

Phone in sightings. Follow the drone code.

9.0 Pedestrian Crossing

Sid wrote to the council.  There is a lack of people stopping and a couple of complaints locally.  Anything we can do to improve matters.  Got an email back from the Traffic Team with a photo on a clear day and no buses present and how to use the zebra crossing is used.  Sid was disappointed.

The culvert at Lidl site on Victoria Road is being improved.

Keen to make the crossings more visible.

Concern raised re the length of time waiting for crossings to change when initially pressed.

10.0 Victoria Road

A number of consultations have taken place and have put in another from Victoria Road to the Black Bull to keep the traffic moving.  Purely traffic management only.

Meeting Closed at 9:55pm.

HS2 in South Ruislip

We are grateful to Chris Playll for this update on HS2 in South Ruislip.  

On 29th October I visited an HS2 engagement event at Ruislip Golf Club. There were a number of information boards on display and representatives of the HS2 project were present to answer questions about them. The information boards can be seen on the HS2 website at:

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/commonplace-cloudfront/resources/projects/hs2inhillingdon/SCS+main+boards_2-compressed.pdf

The HS2 railway will run underground throughout South Ruislip. The only permanent feature affecting our area will be the ventilation shaft located behind the B&M and ASDA stores in Victoria Road. This is not just a shaft but contains ventilation plant and a staircase to enable emergency personnel to access the railway tunnel. The 4th chart on the website shows the shaft in detail.

The 3rd chart shows the route that will be used to remove the soil dug from the shaft during construction and the number of expected lorry movements. These will be outside peak hours. The other work that will affect us is the utilities programme planned to protect some sewers that the rail tunnels will run underneath. This work will be staggered as shown on the chart, but there is no start date.

HS2 will run in a tunnel all the way from West Ruislip to Euston station, except for a station in North Acton called “Old Oak Common” which will have a connection with Crossrail and the Great Western line from Paddington. Long railway tunnels require regular ventilation and emergency access so, in addition to the shaft in our area, there will also be shafts just east of Northolt station, east of Greenford station, and west of Hangar Lane. Two tunnel boring machines will start digging the two railway tunnels in West Ruislip and head east under South Ruislip. At the same time another two tunnel boring machines will start digging two tunnels at Old Oak Common and head west. The tunnel boring machines will meet each other at the Greenford shaft.

Soil dug out of the tunnels under South Ruislip will be taken out via the tunnel entrance in West Ruislip. This soil will be loaded on to railway wagons for removal.

Chris Playll

Images copyright SCS.

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 26th April 2017

In attendance were 52 residents and 10 committee members.  Councillors present Cllr Kelly, Kauffman and White.

Apologies were received from: Cllr Lavery & Cllr Barnes.

  • Meeting Opened 20:03.

Minutes signed off.

  • Reports from the Chairman

Collecting emails for invites to the opening of the cinema.  Going to give details to Citygrove with the hope that they invite the attendees of this meeting.

Will discuss HS2, ARLA and Victoria Road and traffic congestion later.

Any comments on the newsletter following the change?  Yes, please make sure we add the date and time of the meeting.  Did you like the mast head with the Polish War Memorial? Positive reply.  This is our local landmark.  Some more work to tidy it up and improve the presentation.

  • Secretary Report

Noted that the meeting is recorded for the benefit of the minutes.

  • Treasurers Report

As at last night current account £505.94 and Reserve £13,365.79.  Out-standing is a cheque for insurance for £156.75.

Colin placed on record thanks to John Davy for auditing the accounts. Accounts accepted by the meeting.

John said thank you for not claiming expenses to the committee.

  • Chief Road Steward

Vacancies for road stewards in West End Road (side that backs onto Wingfield Way)(12), Bourne Court and Station Approach (6), Cavendish Avenue and Dudley Drive (13) and part of The Fairway, odd numbers (19).    Not an onerous task;  Delivering four times a year and collecting subs. Have taken on a few Road Stewards recently.

Going to deliver newsletters to the flats on the ARLA site to encourage them to join the resident’s association.

  • Election of Officers
Officer Person
Vice Chairman Sid Jackson
Treasurer Colin Hook
Chief Road Steward Geoff Taylor
Secretary Jeremy Wasden

 Officers were duly proposed and seconded.  All voted in with approval of the AGM.

Mr Sohal asked Sid whether he would become Chair.  Sid mentioned he felt he was unable to attend to meetings at the council and similar activities which meant that he could not do the job of chair with 100% commitment.

Question from the floor.  Did Sid not take the Chair role and stay Vice-Chair so that he didn’t have to remain neutral as a Chair should do?  Sid said he was unaware of such a rule.  Secretary commented that it is better to be impassioned and take a view to move the association forward but we would always give both sides of the argument the opportunity to put their case (within reason).  

  • ARLA Site

ASDA opens 22nd of May.  Looking to recruit within 5 miles of the store.  Manager did say he was coming to speak tonight but has clearly forgotten.  Nando’s has opened.  The Cinema will open in July.   Looking to invite members to the opening.

  • Has applied for license to sell alcohol until 3am.

Live music, dance and recorded music and food until 5am.  More like a nightclub than a cinema.

Judy was the only complainant previously and encouraged people to write in to the panel and complain.

Might be hard to object when the restaurants and the BP have a license.  But reason to be concerned with the nightclub elements.  Have approached Cllr Kauffman for a form to object.  A concern about anti-social behaviour and planning permission creep.

Agreed to raise a petition against (which was done with 54 signatures).

Question from the floor.  What licencing committee would allow that variance?  The government changed licencing laws, with more freedom of the sale so can only really object to poor behaviour after the permission has been granted.  When rejected from the council licence committee they have then appealed and gone to a magistrate who has accepted the conditions and granted the application.   Very hard to stop the agreement, only get refused later after complaints.

The council would put on conditions which help restrict this, such as two trained staff needed at BP to sell alcohol at night.

Do the Cinema need to change their planning use?  Cllr Kauffman said they would go back and follow up with the council officers.

  • LIDL

The Comet building has gone.  Bensons of Bed’s is still trading and construction work is ongoing.

  • HS2

Sid attended a meeting with HS2 staff about the amenity work.  They have appointed contractors Costain and Skansa who will work between 8am and 6pm.  Due to start March 2019 digging up the roads.  Will drill small bore holes for samples along the route.  Dig up the road between Sainsbury’s and the Fishing Net and under the bridge and at Bridgewater Road bridge and along West End Road.

Sid has written to the chair of the HS planning committee to ensure that the window for works is large enough to complete the works without running at the same time.

The lorries will be circa 50 lorries a day as they remove spoil from the vent shaft at the ARLA site.

Looks to be a computer modelling exercise for the planning rather than carefully planned locally on ground.

Read in paper Brexit may delay and if delayed by a couple of years it may kill off HS2.

  • RAF Northolt Open Day

22nd of July.  Some tickets still available £5 each.  As a resident’s association we will be at the show.  Enough people to man the stand.  We have pictures to use.  Will hand out newsletters and a perhaps a canvas bag.

  • RAF Northolt Runway

They have the go ahead for the replacement for the runway which will mean the runway is closed between April to October next year to fix wing aircraft.  Still open for helicopters.

Carried out scans on the remains of the crash spitfire from WWII.  It is not a war grave.  Looking to excavate during the refurb of the runway.

Large amount of people on the site.  BFPO, Central Band, RAF Band, some thirty units there.  Quite a complex base with a fair amount of scale there.

Response from the Cllrs to Ealing’s proposal to but 20,000 houses on the site.  – Can you imagine what the impact would be?  Total no no.  Last surviving Battle of Britain airport. They have a restriction that they can’t take scheduled flights, nothing that gets in the way of short term needs of the military.    Can’t take any airplanes over 28 seats.

Is there a relationship with London Docklands airport?  No only shared management of VIP area.

Sid saw the commitment of the runway refurb as positive, but no guarantee.

  • Improvements to South Ruislip

Field End Recreation ground.  Proposal was to add two buildings, but stopped as ceiling for boxing ring is 12ft.  Going to be rebuilt now.    Will be a car park, fencing and MUGA pitch there.  Sports hall, changing facility, canteen and office.  All covered by CCTV.  Cost will be £1.4Million plus £400k for the pitch.

Good use for field only used once a year.

Skateboard Park.  On the Field End Rec near the road, but far from housing.  Funding in place.

Road resurfacing.  Victoria Road to Eastcote Arms.  Station Approach to West End Road.  Then footpaths.  The Fairway and Queens Walk to receive the attention.  Pavements are more expensive than roads to do.  Quicker to do via tarmacs.  400 miles or road in the borough and around 800 miles of pavement.

Break for tea

The Fairground at Field End Road.  If crime can’t be controlled the fair will be stopped.

Great Central Avenue.  Not many objections raised to addition of further flats and petitioners did not turn up.

Concern over what is left at the bottom of the stairs.  Based on information from a former fire chief will look at the law and Allan will check it out.

Bonnells Electric Contractor.  Fenced off pavement and dumping cable reels in the front of the building.  Concern about it looking a mess and parking on the front yard.

Eastcote Arms.  Looking to be turned back into a pub, planning application in with Harrow to turn into 16 flats.

  • Victoria Road Traffic Parking and Traffic

David Seaman’s speech.  He thanks the council for the resurfacing of the area between Field End Road and Royal Crescent.

“Due to cars parked in Victoria Road between South Ruislip and Ruislip Manor it can be difficult, if not impossible to pass a large vehicle, coming in the opposite direction.   Not long ago I personally experienced what can happen when large vehicles come head to head and cannot find enough room to pass each other, and are unable to reverse due to the traffic that had quickly built up behind them. As result of this a large number of motorist had no option but to do a u turn in Victoria Road in order to find another way around this obstruction.   How this blockage was resolved I have no idea as the large vehicles were still head to head when it came my turn to leave the scene by doing u turn. What would happen if an emergency vehicle would want to go down there?

Both our Vice Chairman and Councillor Kauffman have told me that the council are aware of this problem and that the council intend to do something about it, but nothing seems to be happening.

In view of the inaction may I request that our association writes to the council on a formal basis asking them. “What and when do they propose to do something about this problem?”

 Sid followed up the Cllr Burrows and the council have looked at various issues with the road, widening, parking, the trees and it’s a difficult problem which they don’t want to tackle in his opinion.

Linda raised a petition about the parking some 15 months ago, so it being looked at as a parking issue rather than a vehicle access.  Sid wrote to say that the road is not fit for purpose as an HGV access route to South Ruislip.

Kris – same problem in Great Central Avenue.

Cited as a good example, Eastcote Road in Harrow, seems to have worked.  Have removed the trees countered Allan.

Sid keen for the council to walk the site at Victoria Road.

ALDI/B&M Removal of superstore sign.  Needs to be either give way or filter light.  Concern still of people turning right into West Mead.

  • Cllr Judy Kelly

Attended petition hearing from two years ago.  Part of the pavement to be divided on West End Road cycle road. Still looking for a crossing over the A40 for children from Harvey Road.  Historic objection from TFL for zebra crossings on the A40 slip road.  Concern for speed.

  • AOB
    • Extend lanes on two lanes on West End Road

Suggestion following the improvement in to junction at The Fairway and Victoria Road.  Up to TFL to develop the area.  Glebe Farm owned by an offshore insurance company.  Pinch point at Glebe Farm.  Might ease traffic into West End Road.

  • Pavements Being Broken by large lorries in the area

Encourage residents to take photographs where possible and the council will prosecute and make for example builders pay for it.

Complaints about vehicles parking on pavements and grass verges.

16.3      Bus Bin West Mead

Needs to be on the other side, located against solid wall with advertisement.

  • Flower & Plant Sale Ruislip Lions

6th of May at the Rugby Club, West End Road.

Meeting Closed.

Hillingdon Against HS2 – Newsletter 48

Here is the latest full newsletter sent by ‘Hillingdon Against HS2’ on 13th March 2017.

Dear Supporters,

It has been sometime since our last news update, largely because the last few months have been such frustrating times. We are sure by now you are aware that HS2 has received Royal Assent in parliament and the project has been given the final approval to go ahead.

Hillingdon Against HS2 have worked hard over the last 6 years, to campaign on your behalf against HS2 at every opportunity. We have engaged in every official parliamentary process, all consultations,meetings,court cases and even petitioned The House of Commons and The House of Lords. We have lobbied MPs and prominent politicians, held countless public meetings,organised protests, marches and publicity stunts, gaining much media coverage along the way.

You can listen to our reaction to the news of Royal Assent on BBC Radio London HERE

However all of our efforts have not been in vain, whilst we may not have achieved our goal of stopping HS2, Hillingdon Against HS2 have secured major changes to the project, to help our local area and those affected by the construction of the line.

Since the original plans were released back in 2011, Hillingdon Against HS2 have helped secure tunnelling of the line through Ruislip and subsequently Northolt, Greenford and Perivale. We instigated the scrapping of the ‘Heathrow Spur’ part of the route, saving a whole swathe of our borough, not to mention millions of pounds being wasted. We also helped win changes to the compensation boundaries which has allowed residents in Ickenham and Harefield to be included in compensation schemes.

Hillingdon Against HS2 are very proud of these significant changes to the project, much of which we achieved with the help of Hillingdon Council and we are grateful for their ongoing support of our action group and their opposition to HS2.

So what of the future?  
We are continuing to work with Stop HS2 and HS2 Action Alliance, who are dedicated to exploiting every and any future opportunity to stop HS2.
Just because Parliament has given HS2 the go ahead, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will definitely happen.
No business Case, No Environmental Case and No Money To Pay For It. This has always been the campaign strap line and it is even more true today than ever.
With the NHS in crisis, ongoing public sector cuts, concerns over Brexit and the British economy, we still hold out hope that common sense will prevail,somewhere in government…

For now, it is clear that Hillingdon Against HS2 will be kept busy on everyone’s behalf but we will have a slightly different focus. With preliminary ground investigation works already starting and the threat of construction creeping nearer, we will be monitoring local activities and developments and aiming to keep HS2Ltd on their toes.
We will continue to work with Hillingdon Council and liaise with the appropriate bodies to respond where and when we can.

Currently there are two important issues we need to bring to your attention:

SETTLEMENT DEEDS
If you live or have property within 30 meters of the the HS2 tunnel on plan, then your property will have been ‘sub surface safeguarded’ and you may be concerned about possible damage to your property during construction of the tunnels, or the running of the railway line. Not all properties will qualify for ‘before and after surveys’ but if you have not already, you should make sure you
pre-register your interest in a ‘Settlement Deed’ .
The eligibility criteria for benefitting from a settlement deed is complicated but this document may help HERE
At this stage we would urge you to make sure you register your property.
Send an email to  HS2settlementdeeds@hs2.org.uk
Or
Write to “HS2 Phase One Settlement Deed pre registration”
HS2 Ltd, One Canada Square,London, E145AB

Simply include your full name and the address you wish to register, with your full contact details for future communication.
For more information see our website page HERE 

COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS FUNDS
There will be many hundreds or us that will be affected by HS2 locally, who don’t qualify for any compensation for the disruption that 7-10 years of construction will cause.
Whilst we fought hard for as much mitigation as possible ( and we are continuing to put pressure on HS2Ltd to do more) many parts of our communities will still suffer disruption or financial losses.
To help offset this, HS2Ltd have set aside £40 Million, in 2 different national funds which are available to apply for now.
This is an opportunity for community groups, schools ,charities, sports clubs,
local businesses,resident associations, etc. to put in bids for a share of these funds.
This is a rare opportunity to find some benefit from HS2 and it shouldn’t be passed up!
If you have a connection to any group or business who you think might be eligible, PLEASE encourage them to apply and share this information on.
There is more information and detail to help you HERE

Keep in touch.
Please do keep in touch regularly, we post daily updates,articles and photos on our Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360986966901/
More news and photos on our website
https://ruislip-against-hs2.co.uk/
Or follow us on Twitter
@HillingdonAHS2    @Mrs_angryjones 

If you have any concerns or complaints about any aspect of HS2 work there are some important contacts listed below. If you do have a need to contact HS2Ltd – and particularly if you have a complaint – please remember to copy in your MP ( and us!)

HS2Ltd
Hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk  or their 24hour helpdesk 0207 944 4908 ( this is not a free number)

HS2 Resident’s Commissioner 
residentscommissioner@hs2.org.uk

HS2 Construction Commissioner
complaints@hs2-cc.org.uk

MPs
boris.johnson.mp@parliament.uk
nick.hurd.mp@parliament.uk

Once again,many thanks for your continued support and interest.
Hillingdon Against HS2

Whats Happening in South Ruislip?: Latest Updates! January 2017

Calling them meeting minutes gets a little dull.  But if you want to know whats happening with Lidl Planning or a devious thief in B&M/ALDI or whether HS2 building has started, it is all below!

In this age of the demise of newsletters it’s probably one of the best sources of local South Ruislip information…

Minutes of the South Ruislip Residents Association

Quarterly Meeting Held at St Mary’s Church On Wednesday 25th January 2017

In attendance were 52 and 14 committee members.  Councillors present Eddie Lavery, Judy Kelly, Michael White, Allan Kauffman and Teji Barnes.  Henry Neel of Lidl and South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright.

Apologies were received for Mrs Val Blacker and SRRA committee member Geoff Taylor.

1.0        Opening Remarks & Welcome & Matters Arising from the Minutes & Signed Minutes. 

2.0          Police  by South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright

The meeting was joined by South Ruislip SNT Sgt James Wright.  Discussed recent crime figures with concern over burglary and car crime.  Assaults put down to police recording of even playground scraps where informed.

Burglary the police feel there are two teams operating on the area, one has been disbanded with arrests made and they are working on the second.  They are working in Thames Valley and the Met mixing this up with vehicle crime.

Theft of personal property also high due to retail parks.  Police disappointed B&M and ALDI are not paying for security.  Local police targeting a prolific female thief in B&M/ALDA, with thefts “almost daily”.  Sgt Wright suggested not taking whole bag there only credit cards which can be replaced with little loss.

They are working on the robbery in Victoria Road.  The perpetrators left behind vehicle forensics and items dropped which have created a number of leads for the police but they are waiting on those forensics results.

3.0          LIDL Henry Neel

Have planning consent at committee on the 11th January.  They are discharging planning conditions, agreeing S106 and 278 highway works. The next stage for confirmation of the build is from the Mayors office/ GLA an then Hillingdon will give Lidl formal confirmation.   Approval is expected and they look to start on site April and open by Christmas.

Question regarding S106 spend.  Henry Neel suggested looking online for full report on planning website.  But the exact details of the planned costs are still being agreed with London Borough of Hillingdon officers.

Source Minutes and agenda report pack

Plans for the site can be found here.

4.0          Treasurers Report

As at 30th December 2016 current account  £247.24 Reserve account  £13,365.46.  Full accounts at the AGM but we made a small surplus.

5.0          Chief Road Steward Report

Thank you to Lynne Kauffman for organising with distribution of this month’s newsletter with various members of the committee and to the Road Stewards for their delivery.

We are seeking Road Stewards for Station Approach, Bourne Court, Melthorne Drive, Queens Walk, Queens Walk Terrace, West End Road and Wingfield Way

6.0          ARLA Site

Handed over with fit out expected by May.  Small delay caused by a power cut.

Developers hope to host an open evening event, which we will make open to SRRA meeting attendees, if we can.

Sid keen to look at the cinema as it built so following that closely.

Citygrove has purchased a sculpture which they will unveil.

Bellway housing opening on a different timescale.   The walkway to open linking to Station Approach as the commercial site opens.
7.0          HS2

Looks like it will go ahead.  Work to start at the end of the year.  HS2 forced to reveal data on housing purchase and compensation deals to make a more level playing field for people.

Tunnel from old oak common.

Need to dig up for sewers on Long Drive/Station Approach/Bridgewater Road/West End Road.  Concern the work will take a couple of years rather than just months.  The impact will be massive as Allan pointed out to parliament at HS2 hearing.

8.0          London Green Belt Council

No Issues

9.0          RAF

22nd July is the date for the family day only a little flying.  Circa 8000 tickets, meant to be a local event. £5 adults £3 children.

10.0        Community Voice

Linda typed up the minutes from the last meeting of Community Voice and we will circulate.  [Secretary – see the post here]

11.0        Youth Centre

Update from Allan and Lynne Kauffman.

Now organised by Dettie Quirke (who is running youth centres across the borough) who is actively seeking to regenerate activity for local children and aim to get the children back in with a series of targeted activities.  Open evening there tonight.  Youth workers will be full time over summer holiday.

“The centre is gradually starting to come back to life.”

On a day to day basis four youth workers at the moment.  Lynne Kaufman confident in roving care taker, Bill who looks to take pride in the centre.

Seeking Youth volunteers.  Dettie Quirke will come and talk to us at a future date.

12.0        Improving South Ruislip

After hearing a rumour from Sainsburys staff at SR that the store might close, Sid rang the David Mills Property Manager who said that it was a good store, trading well and not closing. Sid asked him about improving the store, and offered some suggestions and he will hopefully come back to us.

From Cllr Allan Kauffman.  Looked with officers at the parade as the area looks poor compared to the modern Dairy Development.  The trees to be pollarded or replaced and new pavements with more trees and seating.  Lots of planters by the railings and modular flower display – possibly paid for my SRRA.  Price set to be around £200,000.  Paid on S106 and TFL funds. Should happen in this year.

Concern expressed that once work done it will be dug up again and ruined by work such as HS2 and ARLA in the area.  Sid said that contractors would be obliged to return the site to the same condition.

Good Christmas lights next year.  Asked for green, white and red rather than colder blue and white ones.

Bridge works. Plans drawn up to clad the brickwork, with a higher walkway and better lighting.  Taken up with TFL.  Cost is circa £350,000.  Allan to continue to work on this.

Positive response to road changes at the junction of Long Drive and Victoria Road but request for better signage and consideration for speeding the southerly route onto West End Road from Station Approach.   Discussed difficulty in doing that and the knock on effect of heavy traffic and poor road layout at the Target roundabout.

Cars on Victoria Road, concern with parking both sides of the road.  Looking at changes to either one side of the road or both.  Likely to lose trees but will replant.

13.0        Great Central House, Great Central Avenue Opposite Station.

Aware of planning and councillors aware but it is not on planning schedule as yet.  Concern re overcrowding in the area.  Ex-Fireman expressed concern about buggies etc left in the stairway as it is a means of escape route and should be clear at all times.  Councils responsibility under the regulatory reform order.  It’s a protected route.  Allan said he would follow this up with enforcement officers.

14.0        SR Chamber of Commerce Update

Buying flowers in the parade on Long Drive, Sid asked in the Florist about the chamber of commerce and said that the response was so enthusiastic he was greatly encouraged.

Next meeting of the Chamber in Feb. Plenty of space for meetings without over reliance on the Ramada.  We support and Sid will attend a future meeting. Sanjay chair been trading for 30 years in car repair and we know he is very keen on the area.

Nursery expanding into adjacent buildings with positive trading.

15.0        SKLP

Historically disruptive to neighbours.  Not so bad last year.  Revitalise efforts and awareness amongst police and Hillingdon council officers when close to festival season.

16.0        Brackenbridge House – Slip Road

Corsa being sold from the area.  Illegally running a business.  Plan to block the area with no parking between 10am and 12am to stop vehicles being left there, such as the van advertising the hand car wash which does not seem to have moved in 5 years.  It is also bad for the nursing home at Brackenbridge House.  Parking changes have gone to consultation.

17.0        Alleyway Royal Crescent and Field End Road

Road resurfaced, part of this is due to work by David Seaman campaigning.  Needs bollard placing to stop cars cutting through in a somewhat dangerous fashion.  This element to be done at residents cost by a resident builder.  Resurface work paid for by the Chrysalis fund.

18.0        Boundary Changes

Keen to stay with rest of Ruislip rather than split off with Ealing wards and Hillingdon area.  Lady wrote asking what is happening.  We await the Boundary Commission’s recommendations in due course but it will take a while as due to affect 2020 elections.

19.0        AOB

19.1        Scam Email HMRC 

From Cllr Teji Barnes – Watch out for scam emails which contain promises of tax refunds.  Such as this one.

hmrc-email

19.2 Building to rear of Lidl Columbus House

Allan Kauffman – Bought by a worship group in 2013.  They put in a change of use to change to worship use and a retail use below.  A tiler currently works below.  This was refused for numerous reasons, mainly as an industrial area not for worship.

If they got planning permission it would add traffic and block the road.

[Secretary : It sounded like the application was not formally refused for change of use.]  They’ve also set up marques and events (non-permanent) which we would expect them to hold license for to operate.

Sid wanted to know what they could put in a petition against Lidl who is trying to act correctly legally and they stopped planning (albeit temporarily).  Can’t the council refuse the petition because it comes from a body operating illegally? Why are planning enforcement officers not following this up on it?

Cllr Lavery spoke (as a councillor who chaired the planing committee meetings).  They were presented with a  valid petition (which just needs 20 Hillingdon residents signatures to be valid regardless of anything else) at the meeting but it was never considered or explored as Lidl agreed to make changes to the plan to move things around.  However the committee can only rule on the proposition that is presented not one changed.  Thus the planning decision was deferred.   The meeting did not get further to consider the decision.

Lidl  came back with a revised scheme.

The councillors will follow up on the Columbus House site.  “It is being actively followed up on.”

19.3        Thank you

Thank you for the tea and coffee and the all the help getting the newsletters out.

19.4        Meeting Closed

Next SRRA Quarterly meeting is the AGM Wednesday 26th April 2017