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