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/).
This E-update looks at new safeguarding directions and the schedule for the House of Lords Select Committee.
House of Lords Select Committee
The House of Lords Select Committee has now begun hearing petitioners from the Euston and Camden areas. The draft schedule has now been set out up to the 12 October and can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/documents/lords-committees/High-Speed-Rail/HSRBC-Programme-5-Sept-to-12-Oct-(revised).pdf. Following the completion of hearings from the Euston and Camden areas the Select Committee will continue working North to South. Therefore the County Council is still working towards an appearance in the middle of October but has yet to have this confirmed.
As with other petitioners the County Council will be limited on points it can discuss with the Select Committee due to the ruling on Additional Provisions which is set out below:
We are likely to hear petitions from the Chilterns area during October, with petitions from the Colne Valley, Ickenham and Ruislip areas following probably in November. In the event, as we see it the very unlikely event, of our receiving an appropriate instruction, we will of course hear all relevant evidence and submissions and also, no doubt, petitions against the additional provision. But if there has been no relevant instruction by then it would be fanciful to suppose that such an instruction might be given at a later date, and it would be a waste of time and resources for us to hear evidence and submissions that would be relevant only in a fanciful contingency.
HS2 Compensation Schemes
Most Phase 1 residents will be aware of the schemes currently open to them. However, HS2 Ltd has updated this leaflet and sent to all Parish Councils along the route. You can view this leaflet at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4279580/HS2-Property-Schemes-Leaflet-WEB.PDF
HS2 Community Engagement Survey
As part of HS2 Ltd.’s efforts to improve their community engagement they have published an anonymous survey to ‘help HS2 Ltd improve its communications’. The survey says it will help identify general preferences but will not be used to tailor communications to individual requirements. There are 9 questions which will take less than 5 minutes to complete, the Council encourages as many people as possible to take this. Click http://hs2survey.org.uk/.
New Safeguarding Directions
The Safeguarding Directions issued on 26th June 2014 for Phase One of HS2 Ltd were revoked and replaced by updated Directions by the Secretary of State for Transport on 16th August 2016. A full update on this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-phase-one-safeguarding-directions-updated.
Heathrow Spur
The government has now confirmed that the Heathrow Spur will not be built as part of HS2. You can read the full letter to local residents at http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4250345/Heathrow-spur.pdf. This is good news as it means the spur is not now included in the HS2 Bill and the area should not continue to be blighted by this prior proposal.
Ground Investigations
HS2 Ltd’s Ground Investigation contractor, BAM Ritchies, have started some ground investigation surveys. This helps them gather essential data on the ground’s condition. They must have Early Access Agreements in place and permission from landowners to work on private land however they are able to carry out certain works on the highways under existing powers, ahead of Royal Assent of the Bill. See leaflet at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-ground-investigations-a-non-technical-guidewhich explains the types of surveys that could be being carried out.
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/