We have received the following update from the Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team:
(Note: previous Updates can be found on the Campaigns part of this web site at https://www.amershamsociety.org/topics/hs2/).
House of Lords Select Committee
The Select Committee has now finished its deliberations and their report should follow shortly; we understand this may be published on 12 December 2016. This will then be considered by the Lords on 9 January 2017 before any further amendments to the Bill are proposed. It could be January or February before the Bill finally gets royal assent, subject to the Parliamentary process. Jim Conboy has kindly posted around half of the local documents/evidence so far produced for the House of Lords. He also has presentations from The Lee and Little Missenden Parish Councils. If you send your presentations to webmaster@hs2amersham.org.uk if you would like them posted at http://www.hs2amersham.org.uk/Resources/ES/HoL/Index.htm. This is a useful resource and Jim does not mind if you are outside of the Chilterns.
Ground Investigations Works – Hyde Heath area
Ground investigation surveys will be taking place over the coming weeks in the Hyde Heath area. HS2 Ltd anticipates that this work will be concluded by the Christmas break, and we are told all work is being delivered with the relevant licenses and consents. Their ground investigation contractor, BAM Ritchies, will take measures to ensure any impact from this work is reduced as much as possible. However, you may notice a small number of BAM Ritchies and Ground Engineering Limited vehicles along Frith Hill, Kings Lane, Hyde Heath Road and Hyde Lane as surveyors move equipment to and from the ground investigation locations, and carry out the survey activity itself. Also, there may be parking in approved layby gateway entrances. Contractors will use existing access roads to fields, following the same route through the fields used by farm vehicles to the sites where the ground investigation is taking place. In undertaking the investigation works they anticipate low levels of noise from the engine of investigatory equipment in addition to short bursts of noise that may occur as tests are performed or samples are taken using a hammering action. All work will be undertaken during the hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. No evening or weekend working is expected. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the HS2 Enquiries helpdesk on 020 7944 4908 or HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Incidents reported relating to mud on roads from ground investigations work
There have been several instances recently where local councillors have contacted us regarding mud on the road at Roberts Lane, Chalfont St Peter and A413 (near Shardeloes Farm). HS2 Ltd did respond to let us know what measures they put in place for these locations and how their contractors are trying to mitigate this. As predicted, the local authorities have had to get involved to make them aware of the disruption this issue can cause for residents and ensure they understand 1 the seriousness of it in regards to road safety. This is not a good start because the Code of Construction Practice (when it comes into effect following Royal Assent) is supposed to be self- policing.
A413 – all vehicles are being jet washed on matting prior to leaving the site but this still seems to be carrying some mud on to the A413. As such the contractor is trying to minimise this by having daily road sweeps (Monday – Friday) on the A413 and using additional matting on the site. They anticipate this work finishing at some point this week.
Roberts Lane – The site team are aware of this issue and have spoken to the council enforcement team directly. They are currently in the process of organising immediate mitigation measures as follows:
• Increased road sweeper visits. They are investigating the possibility of keeping the sweeper onsite permanently until the completion of the Roberts Lane holes (Monday/Tuesday at latest)
• Vehicle wash down areas at the entrance to fields. The entrances are already muddy and have drainage issues, but this will help. They will investigate all potential solutions to the issue at this location.
Chesham Lane – at the time of writing, no update yet received on remediation at Chesham Lane. Response to Residents’ Commissioner’s 5th Report
HS2 Ltd has responded to the most recent Residents’ Commissioner’s (Deborah Fazen) report. You can read the response at http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140806172102/http:/assets.dft.gov.uk/hs2-environmental-statement/volume-2/MB12_VOL2_CFA12_WATERMARKED.pdf.
HS2 Alerts
If you would like to be kept up to date will all the latest information on HS2 matters please contact Andrea Polden andreapolden@icloud.com who will add you to her mailing list. Andrea is a volunteer who shares daily information on HS2 matters.
Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team:
Jackie Copcutt jcopcutt@buckscc.gov.uk Tel: 01296 383793
Laura Martin-Leech lmartin@buckscc.gov.uk Tel: 01296 382163
HS2 Blueprint Mailbox HS2Blueprint@buckscc.gov.uk
BCC HS2 Webpages: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/environment/hs2/