We have received the following update from the Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team which has recommenced the production of the update after a relatively quiet period in the project following Royal Assent in February.:
(Note: previous Updates can be found https://www.amershamsociety.org/topics/hs2/).
A new HS2 Inquiries Freephone number has now been launched : 08081 434 434.
The Helpdesk can still be contacted at hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We understand HS2 Ltd has now received permission to launch its own website (separate to .Gov) although unlikely to be available until the end of 2017 at the earliest.
Appointment of Main Civils Works Contractors (MCWC)
On 17 July, the Government announced the winning Joint Venture contractors for Phase 1 of the project. The two relating to Buckinghamshire are listed below.
C1: Chiltern Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct – Align Joint Venture (Bouygues Travaux Publics, VolkerFitzpatrick, Sir Robert McAlpine)
C2: North Portal Chiltern Tunnels to Brackley – CEK Joint Venture (Carillion Construction Ltd, Eiffage Genie Civil SA, Kier Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd)
The contracts were subsequently signed on 1 August 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-light-for-hs2-as-first-major-contracts-signed
Construction Commissioner’s Report
Gareth Epps is the (interim) independent Construction Commissioner whose role is to mediate and monitor the way in which HS2 Ltd manages and responds to construction complaints. The Construction Commissioner will mediate any unresolved construction related disputes between HS2 Ltd and individuals or bodies. You can contact him by emailing complaints@hs2-cc.org.uk and visit his dedicated website at hs2-cc.org.uk. You can view his reports here, https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/628895/hs2_construction_commissioner_report_1.pdf and https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/628898/hS2_construction_commissioner_report_2.pdf.
The Chilterns Society has kindly set up www.HS2Watch.org.uk , to record contractor activity and to assist anyone with complaints and also to look out for any problems common to several complaints, which need escalating.
Latest Programme
Although some early works are beginning to take place on the ground such as utilities, archaeological work, habitat creation and ground investigation, HS2 Ltd say that the Main Contractors (above) will now go into a period of 16 months detailed design before any of the main civils works commence.
Local Environmental Management Plans (LEMPs)
HS2 Ltd has just published these plans, which they say set out the site-specific control measures for HS2 contractors working within local authority areas along the Phase One route. You can view them here.
Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team:
- Jackie Copcutt jcopcutt@buckscc.gov.uk Tel: 01296 383793
- Laura Leechlleech@buckscc.gov.uk Tel: 01296 382163
- HS2 Blueprint Mailbox HS2Blueprint@buckscc.gov.uk
- BCC HS2 Webpages: https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/environment/high-speed-2-hs2/