HS2 Access to Wormwood Scrubs reconsidered
This letter was delivered to residents today (19 November 2020) and it is on the Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s website. It is signed by Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council.
We hope it is a good sign. But it is concerning that while HS2 were getting so close to preparatory work for the sewer H&F seems to have been unaware of what was planned.
Chairman of the Trustees of the Friends of Wormwood Scrubs, Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen said: “It does look as if LBHF rather dropped the ball on the question of the access route onto the Scrubs for HS2 and their sewer diversion work. But, even if late in the day, they are making up for lost time with maximum and public efforts to achieve a sensible (Old Oak Common Lane) access route instead of the most damaging one (Braybrook Street).”
At a public virtual briefing session on 18 November for the imminent Schedule 17 planning application for lowering Old Oak Common Lane and rebuilding the bridges (and their works around Atlas Road), the issue of the sewer works access road was raised by attendees, and it was confirmed by HS2 representatives that they were “talking to” Hammersmith and Fulham council about re-routing from Old Oak Common Lane, but did not give any assurance that destructive works on the Scrubs would be held off until agreement had been reached with H&F. HS2’s community engagement officer Patricia Thompson said that a public meeting about the issue would take place “in a few weeks”.
Andy Slaughter MP commented in the meeting: “The key point is not how long you take to reach agreement with H&F or when the public meeting takes place but that no destructive works take place until after both those events happen. I have been repeatedly told that is the case but I think it would be helpful for HS2 to confirm that in writing”. HS2 representatives declined to respond. In fact when questioned the HS2 reps actively refused to confirm or provide a written guarantee that no destructive works or clearing of the nature reserve would take place before January.
This is very concerning.
They also refused to provide a specific timeline for the Old Oak Common Lane/Atlas Road works - and said that the lowering of Old oak common lane is now due to complete around 2028. They refused to provide an actual schedule of works with regards to road closures. There were no representatives from their contractors, Balfour Beaty, present on the virtual meeting who might have been able to clarify the schedule of works.
The majority of residents who participated were shocked and disappointed by HS2’s failure to provide answers to many questions; the lack of clarity and detail given about works timetables, road closures and other aspects of the HS2 developments that will seriously affect their lives for years to come; failings which do not feel encouraging to Friends of the Scrubs when we are faced with the likelihood of a very significant portion of the wildest part of the Scrubs being destroyed along with so many other habitats up and down the country.
Local residents and supporters of the Scrubs are strongly advised to contact their local councillors (if they are in LBHF) or Ms Fennimore (as well as the email given in the letter reproduced above) to express their concerns for the Scrubs; also to request a dedicated, urgent community meeting concerning the Scrubs specifically by writing to the HS2 Community Engagement team here and here.
We feel it would also be helpful if local residents remain vigilant in observing any possibly illegal activity on the Scrubs and report it to the Parks Police 0208 753 5999
What do FOWWS suggest instead?
FOWWS have suggested a more logical, less destructive way to the sewer site. Sir Stephen writes:
It seems reasonably obvious that the much better way in is from Old Oak Common Lane across the existing hard surface, so that the route as shown is more or less straight, instead of having that bend to Wulfstan Street. And the working area should be kept as close as possible to the embankment for its entire length. There is a great spread of 10m or so of brambles over the past ten years or so from the fence at the foot of the embankment into the Scrubs, which could be properly removed and used for vehicles, greatly reducing the intrusion into the wild areas. The ecodiversity desirability of brambles will still exist in the thickets which cover the entire south face of the embankment.”
HS2 meetings
In the meantime, there is another HS2 meeting on Monday 23 November with residents’ representatives and FOWWS will also be represented. These meetings are designed to update all the community stakeholders on HS2’s latest plans around the area.
Meanwhile Lord Hague of Richmond has written a letter to the Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, in support of evidence relating to potential wildlife crime issues of the High Speed Two (HS2) project, compiled by a team of independent professional ecologists. The ecologists’ concerns are set out in a document appended to Lord Hague’s letter (thanks to Mark Avery for detail).
Sarah Johnson, Trustee of FOWWS