Tag Archives: HS2

HS2: Campaign Update and House of Lords Deadline

0203 286 8701
twitter facebook google + linkedin
Dear SRRA,

Campaign Update and House of Lords Deadline

On 23 March the HS2 Hybrid Bill was voted through at third reading in the House of Commons by 399 votes to 42.  This means that it will now move to the House of Lords for consideration.

This message for those of our supporters who live near the route of Phase 1 of HS2 and are therefore entitled to petition in the House of Lords. 

Timing in the House of Lords

The HS2 Bill had its first reading in the House of Lords on 23 March (a procedural stage where there was no vote) and the House of Lords Petitioning period has now begun.  It commenced on 24 March and will end at 5pm on 18 April.

Petitioning Process – what can you do?

The House of Lords petitioning process works in the same way as the House of Commons process in that those people who are affected by the HS2 project can submit a written document – a petition – setting out what you would like to see changed in terms of better mitigation or compensation in your area.  Once you have submitted a petition you can either appear in person in the House of Lords to ask the House of Lords Select Committee to implement the changes you are requesting or you can appoint someone else to appear on your behalf.  This can be any individual such as a local representative, councillor, member of your local action group etc.   We would recommend that the most effective way to make your case is to appear in person and explain to the committee what you would like.  Technical expertise is not required and the Select Committee will be very sympathetic and helpful to individual petitioners appearing and making their cases.   However if you can’t be there in person it is still better to submit a petition and have someone else represent you than submit nothing.

How do I submit my petition?

The good news is that the rules in the House of Lords are slightly different to the House of Commons in that it is now possible to submit petitions by email or by post and you are no longer required to submit it in person or via your MP.  You still have to pay a fee of £20 – even if you have petitioned already in the House of Commons.  For a full guide to petitioning please click here to review advice provided by the House of Lords

This also includes a template petition to which you can add the points you would like to raise.   Please note that if you send a petition by email you must also follow it up with a paper version sent by post (but this can arrive after the 18 April deadline).

Can I petition on the same topics I petitioned on in the House of Commons?

Yes you can.  If the mitigation or compensation which you requested in your House of Commons petition was not addressed or granted then you can petition on the same topic in the House of Lords.  Whilst the House of Commons Select Committee did make some changes to the HS2 project by granting additional tunnelling/deeper cuttings etc in some areas we believe that there are still a great many areas where the plans remain deeply unsatisfactory and further changes are required to effectively mitigate this project.   If you believe that the points made in your first petition were not addressed you can even use the same wording in your House of Lords petition.

The House of Commons Select Committee didn’t listen when I petitioned, is it really worth petitioning again?

We believe that it is because the House of Lords Select Committee is a totally separate body which will be new to the issues.  Often members of the House of Lords are experts in their fields and they are also less confined in terms of being “whipped” to vote for a government project.  We believe that there is a good chance that the House of Lords may be more independent minded and open to making changes than the House of Commons.

This will be your last chance to achieve any changes to Phase 1 of HS2.  The deadline is 5pm on Monday 18 April.

HS2AA

RUISLIP AGAINST HS2 – NEWSLETTER 45

The latest newsletter written by Ruislip Against HS2…

Dear Supporters,

You may have noticed that it’s been some time since our last update. We apologise for the long gap between newsletters. 2015 proved to be a difficult and busy time for HAHS2, not least
because of all the HS2 developments but our (very small) committee needed some personal time for health issues along with family and work commitments.
Much of last year was taken up with the preparation and presentation of petitions before the HS2 Select Committee and bringing the new MP for South Ruislip and Uxbridge Boris Johnson, up to speed.
There have been many announcements and developments and we hope that you have been keeping up to date with progress via our Website and our Facebook Page where we post
regular news items and notices.
Petitioning
Hillingdon was represented in Parliament by many individuals from across Ruislip,Harefield and Ickenham as well as action groups,resident associations,local councillors and Hillingdon Council itself.
We’d like to thank everyone who was involved. Many hours of often stressful and hard work went into the presentations which made for an incredible contribution from Hillingdon.
Unfortunately our major objective of achieving an extended tunnel from West Ruislip through the Colne Valley was not successful which is incredibly frustrating.
You can read the Committee’s decision HERE
However many of the petitions concentrated on smaller issues and many of these were recognised by The Committee and were given more consideration. Agreements known as assurances and undertakings were
given on a range of issues including construction traffic numbers and routes, timing of utility works and effects on individuals’ homes.
H.O.A.C was a big priority in the Hillingdon petitions and whilst there has been no agreement to save it in it’s current form, there are plans to relocate the facility.This is really disappointing and not the outcome
we or H.O.A.C hoped for.We aim to have updates soon on any progress made.
There were only small concessions made to the mitigation measures we were seeking but we have at least secured the opportunity to continue to have an input into how HS2 is planned – should it ever go ahead.
Appearances
You can watch a session of the main community petition for Ruislip  HERE from 11.10a.m
You can watch a session of the main community petition from Harefield Tenants and Residents Association  HERE  from 15.14p.m
You can watch a session from the main community petition from Ickenham Residents Association HERE from 9.29 a.m
You can watch a  session of some of the Hillingdon Councillors making the case on behalf of residents from across the borough HERE from 15.13p.m
(Please be aware some of these links may take some time to load)
Tunnel Depth
A major development arose from the process. During presentations from Ruislip, HS2Ltd suddenly introduced new information concerning the depth of the proposed tunnel.
For over 3 years we had been led to believe that the tunnel would be 30metres deep under properties, but now we know it could be as little as half that in some areas.
Unfortunately this was revealed after all the Ruislip petitions had been heard.
HAHS2 made a formal complaint to the Chair of the Committee and HS2Ltd’s QC was forced to issue us with an apology.
This however remains a big issue,not least because residents have been misled about tunnel depth and HS2Ltd have yet to give a satisfactory explanation – despite requests and follow up meetings,
but more importantly because it makes a significant difference to the level of vibration and settlement to properties that could occur.
We are very concerned that the HS2Ltd arguments put to, and accepted by The Committee,in rejecting our arguments,were based on inaccurate tunnel depths.
You can watch the session HERE from 9.31a.m where the mistake was acknowledged. It also goes on to feature Nick Hurd MP and Boris Johnson MP and their evidence in the final summing up of all Hillingdon’s petitions.
You can see the guide to settlement that HS2Ltd have produced in response  HERE – though this has not been sent to those affected it was simply added to their website.
Read more about the details of what happened HERE
As a result of the first round of petitioning, some amendments have been made to the HS2 Bill and these are known as ‘additional provisions’. We are now up to the 4th set of amendments ( AP4s) and these
petitions for Hillingdon are being heard next week.
You can follow the developments and watch live appearances from residents in Ickenham, Harefield and Hillingdon Council this coming week on Monday 25th January HERE
You can use the same link to keep up with all the remaining petitions from the whole route.
Our fight to extend the Ruislip Tunnel hasn’t ended. HAHS2 will continue to push for this further mitigation and our MPs Nick Hurd and Boris Johnson support our calls for more to be done to protect
our local environment and continue to put pressure on Government.
Once the House of Commons Select Committee have finished hearing all the petitions from the whole route,we have the option to progress our case to The House of Lords.
Boris Johnson
As you will be aware Boris Johnson has taken over from Sir John Randall as MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Whilst Boris, as Mayor of London,was already aware of the main issues affecting his constituency and those
affecting Hillingdon as a whole, HAHS2 have made it a priority to establish a good relationship with him so that we can continue to communicate regularly with him on HS2 matters. We have had several meetings with him
the most recent being on January 8th.
 
You can read about his visit to Ruislip HERE
See a report and photo gallery on the Get West London News site HERE
Each time we meet, we feel he gets a better understanding of all the ongoing concerns we have about HS2 but it would really help, if he’s your MP for you to contact him to keep the pressure on.
 
Likewise please also keep writing to Nick Hurd MP if you are a constituent in Ickenham or Harefield.  
 
Complaint about HS2Ltd?
If you have had any direct contact or communication with HS2Ltd that you are unhappy about, you have an opportunity to make a complaint.
Please see details HERE submissions must be made by 11th Feb 
Public Event
We have had advance notice form HS2Ltd that they will be holding an information event on 8th March in Ickenham. This will be a one off event to cover the whole of the affected areas including Ruislip and Harefield.
Please save the date and make an effort to come along if you can.
Ickenham Village Hall – Swakeleys Road, Ickenham from 2.00pm – 7.00pm
HAHS2 will be aiming to have an alternative information stand outside the event. Please see our Website and Facebook page for more details nearer the time.
What Next ?
The next major event on the calendar for 2016 is the Mayoral election in May.
HAHS2 are aiming to meet with all the candidates – as we did last time around! We shall be trying to highlight HS2 as an election issue – but we need your help!
Ways to Help
Please take some time to contact some of the Mayoral candidates and let them know how important an issue HS2 is, and we will aim to keep you updated on their positions.
Labour        Sadiq Khan             london@labour.org.uk                   @sadiqkhan
Cons           Zac Goldsmith        zac@zacgoldsmith.com                 @ZacGoldsmith
Lib Dem      Caroline Pidgeon   caroline@carolinepidgeon.org        @CarolinePidgeon
Green          Sian Berry              http://www.sianberry.london/          @sianberry
UKIP           Peter Whittle           www.peterwhittle.co.uk/contact      @prwhittle
Petition to sign
You will all be aware of how catastrophic the flooding in the north of the UK was over the Christmas period.
This latest petition deserves much more attention than it’s getting. Please add your name to it but also share it far and wide with friends,family and work colleagues across the country.
Stop HS2 and Invest in Long Term Flood Defences   https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/117184
Funding 
We are very grateful for all the donations we have received in the past and much of the progress that has been made over the last few years could not have happened without your generosity.
Please do think about making a donation if you can.
If you can contribute in any small way,donations will be gratefully received either by Paypal on our website by clicking the donate button HERE
Or by sending a cheque to Hillingdon Against HS2: 8 Almond Close,Ruislip,HA46EB
You can also help raise funds really easily- FOR FREE! as you do your everyday shopping on-line
Please register HERE
 
Once again,many thanks for your continued support and interest.
Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2

 

Ruislip Against HS2 – Newsletter 44

Dear Supporters,
 
The campaign against HS2 reached it’s 5th anniversary on March 11th this year. It has been a very long and tiring time!
 
Whilst we have still yet to Stop HS2, HAHS2 are very proud of our achievements over the last few years and the difference our campaign has made.HAHS2 have had countless public events and meetings to help raise awareness,protested and lobbied in Parliament and endlessly kept the pressure on anyone connected to the project. Supported by you, we have brought the plight of Hillingdon to the attention of the media,public and parliament.
We have secured a tunnel for the Ruislip section of the route, saving many homes and businesses from demolition and unimaginable disruption.We have helped improve the compensation scheme for some, contributed to court cases and attended endless meetings with MPs HS2Ltd, and other organisations,on your behalf.We have supported residents from across Harefield Ickenham,West to South Ruislip and will be continuing to help those affected by HS2 with the petitioning process when it resumes in June.
 
HEATHROW SPURS
HAHS2 are now pleased to also share our latest achievement. The Heathrow section of the route which has been ‘on hold’ for so long, has finally been scrapped. The announcement was made very quietly, just days before parliament dissolved but a verbal assurance was given to Nick Hurd MP in a debate on HS2 on 25th March,by rail minister Robert Goodwill. You can watch the full debate HERE, contributions from Sir John Randall and Nick Hurd.
You can see the news report including comment from HAHS2 HERE  We will now be working hard to make this assurance binding, by getting the Heathrow spurs removed from the wording of the HS2 Hybrid Bill.
We are delighted by this news as we have long argued that this section of the route made no sense and had no business case.Our continued pressure on our local MPs, Boris Johnston and TFL has paid off. The implications are far more reaching than just scrapping the unnecessary connection that would have cost millions.The blight caused by uncertainty of the plans has now been removed.Whilst the link wasn’t due to be built until the second stage of the project in 2026, the ‘passive provisions’ ie. the junctions that would have facilitated it, would have been part of the first phase of construction.Without these junctions, Hillingdon are in a much stronger position to argue for the extension of the Northolt tunnel from Ruislip through Ickenham. This mitigation will be the main thrust of our requests to the Select Committee during the next round of petitioning and, if we are successful, the changes will significantly reduce some of the major disruption to Ickenham and Harefield.
 
PETITIONING
Petitioners from Harefield were heard by the Select Committee in March and made some very detailed and powerful presentations. The petitioning process has been suspended now until after the General Election and a new Government is formed.You can find more information about the Select Committee and transcripts from the hearings so far HERE
We have provisional dates for the rest of Hillingdon’s petitions to be heard, starting with LBH from mid June, who will be followed by representations from Ickenham and then Ruislip
HAHS2 are currently working hard with LBH and resident groups to prepare in earnest for our next appearances.
A series of meetings and workshops are ongoing to help assist anyone who has petitioned. If you have submitted a petition and you haven’t attended any of meetings or haven’t already been in touch, please contact us so we are aware of your petition ( and number) and we can extend some support, advice, and forward you the slides from the workshops.
GENERAL ELECTION
Incase you hadn’t heard there’s going to be an election on 7th May!
Local candidates from all parties are out and about all looking to secure your vote, please let them know how important an issue HS2 is. It would be great if you could get in touch with all your Parliamentary candidates to express your view of HS2.  On Twitter, please use the hashtags, #ge2015, #hs2 and any local hashtags.
Because HS2 is so important to some voters, STOPHS2 have launched the “We won’t vote for any party that supports HS2” campaign.  You can download the posters from their website  – and display them in your window.
We’ve been reading the manifestos of the main UK political parties to let you know what they have to say on HS2 – full details are on the Stop HS2 website stophs2.org.
Conservatives, Labour, LibDem and the SNP all express support for HS2 in their manifestos.
Political parties that oppose HS2 include the Green Party and UKIP.
HAHS2 have attended 2 recent hustings for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency to hear what each of the hopeful local MPs had to say about HS2. So here’s a brief overview of each party.
You can see a full list of candidates HERE with links to contact them.
CONSERVATIVE  – BORIS JOHNSON             Says he’s the strongest candidate to help mitigate HS2 in London more. Won’t support it without a better plan for Euston,link to HS1 or an extended Northolt tunnel through Ickenham.
LABOUR               – CHRIS SUMMERS            Says he would defy party policy and vote against HS2 and would fight for better mitigation.He wants HS2 scrapped and money spent on better NHS and Hillingdon Hospital.
LIB DEM                – MIKE COX                        Says route is wrong and that it should follow the M1. He is personally in strong favour of HS2 as well as following party line in support.
UKIP                     –  JACK DUFFIN                  Says he wants to see HS2 scrapped altogether as per party policy. UKIP would call for a referendum to allow the public to vote on HS2.
GREEN                 –  GRAHAM LEE                 Says mitigation is not enough, wants HS2 scrapped as per party policy. Thinks trains and platforms should be lengthened with improvements to WCML.
INDEPENDENT    – JENNIFER THOMPSON  Says mitigation and tunnels are not enough or acceptable and HS2 must be scrapped.
We have less information from the Ruislip, Pinner and Northwood constituency which also covers Ickenham and Harefield but there is an upcoming hustings, information HERE and a full list of candidates HERE with links to contact them.
CONSERVATIVE  – NICK HURD  Says he can’t support current HS2 proposals because of the cost to the constituency.Compensation is still not fair enough.Will vote against it at next stage unless we get the mitigation we are petitioning for.
LABOUR               – MICHAEL BORIO       Says he will vote against the current route.
LIB DEM               – JOSH DIXON              Says he supports HS2 but we need to go further in ensuring protection for residents like extra tunnelling and better compensation.
 
 
 
UKIP                     – GERRARD BARRY     Says HS2 has to be scrapped as it has no business case.
GREEN                 – KAREN PILLAI            Says she opposes the HS2 project as wasteful and unnecessary and recognise the negative impact it would have in the south of the borough.
AFTER THE ELECTION
In two weeks time, we will need to let a new set of MPs know about the problems with HS2.  We have some plans for immediately after the election, although exactly what we do will depend on the results. The Stop HS2 website and the@stophs2 twitter account will be updated with plans when they are ready.
HAHS2 will be supporting any event organised and we hope you will join us.
Keep in touch via our Website and FaceBook Page for details nearer the time.
FUNDING
We are very grateful for all the donations we have received recently and much of the progress that has been made over the last few years could not have happened without your generosity.
Please do think about making a donation if you can.
If you can contribute in any small way, donations will be gratefully received either via Paypal on our website by clicking the donate button HERE or by sending cheques to Hillingdon Against HS2 to: 8 Almond Close, Ruislip , HA46EB
 
You can also help raise funds really easily – FOR FREE! as you do your everyday shopping online – please register HERE
Once again,many thanks for your continued interest and support.
 
Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2
 
 
 
You have been included in this email update from details you have provided 
us with.Please be assured that your details will be used for this purpose
only and no other. Email addresses will not be passed on to anyone else.If
you no longer wish to be included on our email list, please reply with
UN-SUBSCRIBE in the subject title. 
 
Attachments area

October Newsletter

We distSRRA Newsletter Cover Oct 2014ribute the SRRA newsletters ahead of the Quarterly meetings which take place in January, April, July and October each year. Please find at the link below the October 2014 SRRA Newsletter.  Much has moved on as we discussed at the meeting on the 22nd October. Time, tide and South Ruislip wait for no man. October 2014 Newsletter

Please note the next meeting is on the 21st January 2015 not 28th as mentioned in the newsletter.

HS2 Update 40 from Ruislip Against HS2

Dear Supporter,

We hope you are enjoying the summer sunshine and long may it last!
As usual there is lots of news to share with you and whilst we hope you have some relaxing holiday time we would ask that you don’t forget about HS2 over the summer – it may be quiet, but HS2 certainly isn’t going away!
HAHS2 will be working hard through the summer to make sure that we are prepared for every next step of the campaign.
We are planning another fundraising comedy night at Ruislip Golf Club on 19th September – this was a great night last time so please do save the date. More details to follow….
Local MPs.
Nick Hurd, the MP for Ruislip/Ickenham/Harefield, lost his Cabinet position with the latest government reshuffle along with neighbouring MP for Denham, Dominic Grieve.This means they will revert to being backbench MPs with more time (and more freedom to speak out) on local issues.
Nick Hurd has always made his stance clear, he will continue to fight for better mitigation and compensation for HS2, on behalf of his constituents, but in a recent meeting with HAHS2 he has confirmed that if those issues are not dealt with satisfactorily, he will vote against the HS2 Hybrid Bill at 3rd Reading.Whilst this is a more encouraging sign of support, it would be useful if more constituents keep writing to him, to let him know their concerns.In particular, H.O.A.C is still under threat with no realistic plan for relocation, even after the Transport Minister visited last week.News story HERE
Sir John Randall MP has announced that he will be stepping down as MP for South Ruislip and Uxbridge at the next election.It is widely rumoured that Boris Johnson may stand for the seat, however candidates have yet to be decided so we shall have to wait and see!
Petitioning
Overall there were 1,925 petitions submitted to parliament and of those many came from across the Hillingdon borough,including one from Hillingdon Council and one each from the Local Councillors and Resident Associations that cover each area here affected by HS2.
Many more individual residents submitted petitions too – which is great, so thanks to all those that made the effort.We are pleased to say no petitions from Hillingdon were challenged.
However the two biggest petitions came from Stop HS2 and HS2 Action Alliance and these were challenged,by HS2 Ltd,on the grounds that they did not have ‘locus standi’ and could not represent those affected by HS2 on route wide issues!A hearing was held this week and the challenge was not upheld, so the good news is that these petitions will be heard by the select committee.
Thank you to everyone who wrote letters of support to them which were used in evidence.
We now have to wait to hear when individuals will be called to be heard by the select committee but given that there are so many petitions,plus a decision to start proceedings in the north and work down the route, this may take some time.
The Chair of the Select Committee, Robert Syms, has admitted that the petitioning hearings could take at least 2 years, so we have some way to go before the Hybrid bill can reach it’s 3rd reading. This will obviously take us beyond the next election so there will be interesting times ahead.
HAHS2 will be collating advice and information on how to best present evidence to the committee, when the time comes, and we hope to share advice with you .Please do email us if you have submitted a petition and would like some support.
Compensation
Following a decision by SoS for Transport earlier in the year, to make some changes to the HS2 compensation scheme, a new consultation has been launched. We know that you have responded to these consultations many times before but we need your continued input to help secure further changes.Whilst some of the changes could benefit more residents in Hillingdon we don’t believe the measures go far enough and in practice the proposals are not as ‘fair and generous’ as the government would like you to believe.
HAHS2 will be producing more easy response postcards that will be available in all local Libraries in the coming weeks.We simply don’t have the resources to distribute these to everyone so if you are able to help – even just to deliver to your own road – please email us.
For more information about the compensation consultation and to respond on-line – see  HERE The consultation closes on Tuesday 30th September at 11.45 pm
Legal Action
There are 3 legal challenges going through the courts,2 of which have been bought jointly by HS2 Action Alliance and Hillingdon Council.
The first is a judicial review challenging the decision by the SoS for Transport to issue safeguarding directions without undertaking a strategic environmental assessment.The case has already been heard by the High Court and we await a judgement.
You can read more about the case HERE
The second case is a complaint to the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee. Lottie Jones of RAHS2 has joined forces with Hillingdon Council and HS2AA in taking this case to help represent Hillingdon residents.
The good news is that the committee has ruled that this case has the right to be heard in Europe so we are one step closer to calling the government to account for their responsibility to the planning of HS2 and protection of the environment.
You can read more about the case HERE and see the complaint HERE
The Government is also to face a High Court legal challenge from the Information Commissioner along with campaigners after ministers used a wartime veto to censor information about the controversial HS2 high speed rail projectRead more about this case  HERE
We will of course keep you updated with news of the progress of all this legal action.
Funding
 
As always the campaign to Stop HS2,fight for fair mitigation and compensation as well as lobbying parliament, relies on financial support. Much of the progress that has been made over the last few years could not have happened without donations to the cause.
We are grateful to all those who have made contributions in the past but we need to keep support going!
Please do think about make a donation if you can.
We are currently trying to raise funds to support the Stop HS2 stands at the Party Conferences which will be crucial as we continue to lobby MPs in the run up to the 2015 election.
If you can contribute in any small way, donations will be gratefully received either via Paypal on our website by clicking the donate button HERE or by sending cheques to Hillingdon Against HS2 to: 8 Almond Close, Ruislip , HA46EB
 
You can also help raise funds really easily – FOR FREE! as you do your everyday shopping online – please register HERE
 
Social Media
 
Don’t forget to use Facebook and Twitter to help keep the campaign against HS2 alive.
Join our Facebook page HERE for daily updates and news as it happens. Follow us on Twitter @HillingdonAHS2 and  remember to use #HS2 and or #StopHS2 when tweeting.
From Lottie Jones.

HS2 Update

An artist's impression of part of the proposed HS2 routeHS2 is currently being debated in parliament.  Even though there is strong opposition to it and it has been flagged up as a red/amber risk as to whether it will provide value for money by the parliamentary watchdog, there is a strong feeling that it may still be pushed through.

We have to be prepared for this eventuality, so whilst we remain resolutely opposed to the project we need to try to mitigate its effects locally.

The rail link through South Ruislip is currently planned to be in a tunnel which reduces much of the blight that would have been experienced by an over ground option.  What many in the area may not be aware of is that to enable the tunnel to proceed a number of major works must be carried out to the local services such as sewerage and water systems.

These works will create major disruption for long periods of time. They will be mainly centred on West End Road, Station Approach, Long Drive, the green area adjacent to Bridgwater Road and Victoria Road. The Victoria Road effect will be from the construction of a vent shaft behind the old Focus building.

A petition process was announced by HS2 which gives individuals, associations and businesses the right to petition parliament to seek ways to mitigate the local disruption.

SRRA has submitted a petition on the residents behalf and while we clearly stated that we remain opposed to the project we requested that when these works were carried out they must not be scheduled simultaneously, access to shops, businesses and residential properties must be available at all times etc.  We received a great deal of help from the council’s personnel in ensuring that our petition was presented in the correct format and for that we thank them for their assistance.   A copy of the mandate signed by committee members following the AGM and the petition are on the website.  [Ed: Clicking on the links will download the documents in Word format to your browsing device].

Author:  Sid Jackson