HS2 Community Engagement 1 Sept 2021
Please click on this button to download the documents from the HS2 community engagement meeting concerning Wormwood Scrubs on 1 September 2021. See below for an independent report of the meeting from FOWWS Trustee Miriam Shea.
HS2 Wormwood Scrubs Community Meeting
The meeting covered the two work sites/work plans on the Scrubs, the sewer diversion site (running East/West parallel to the embankment) and the UTX site (North West corner).
UTX works
Main focus of the meeting was on the area at the North West of the scrubs, where the current Heras Fencing is. HS2 have started to replace this with the Hoarding. The work here relates to the diversion of utilities from under Old Oak Common Lane to under the railway tracks. There will be an under track crossing (UTX) which will require 24/7 tunnelling for approximately 6 weeks. These works may interfere with existing BT services. These services need to be ‘found’, by removing vegetation (not trees).
The UTX site will be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order. HS2’s argument is that it needs to have control over the land to put in place easements for 13 utility companies. HS2 continues to work on getting easements in place but is unlikely that this will be done by October 2021 and the CPO will enable them to take control and put these easements in place. Once easements are in place and works completed HS2 will return the land to WSCT/LBHF. HS2 said it has no intention of retaining or repurposing the land in question.
Sewer diversion
The sewer diversion works will be done using open cut / trench works rather than tunnelling. The decision to use open trench work rather than tunnelling was based on ‘efficiency’. HS2 may share some details of how this decision was reached (in response to question from Peter Harms). There will be 5 manhole covers on the scrubs - standard size 900mm. Will likely end up being overgrown with grass. HS2 guarantee that they will not encroach into the area currently occupied by the protestors - it is outside of their boundary (question from Amanda).
If an agreement re easements is not reached with Thames Water by October 2021, HS2 will issue a Notice to Treat which in effect gives it the option to acquire the land within a three year period. The stated intention is to rescind the Notice to Treat once agreement is reached with Thames Water. HS2 said that there was a 75% probability that an agreement would be reached before October 2021 in which case it would not issue a Notice to Treat.
Other points & issues
Noise will be monitored, and maintained below a pre-determined level, likewise with dust. These levels are still considered too high by residents. (there was quite a bit of discussion about this).
The hoarding will be going up with artwork from the school, there will also be viewing windows cut into the hoardings.
The Braybrook Street access point and the matting is due to be removed shortly. Under questioning from Sarah A, HS2 committed to ensure any lizards, slow worms or other wildlife that have taken up residence under the matting will be protected and relocated.
Barbara C quizzed HS2 on wildlife / environmental protections for any wildlife that may have moved back into UTX and Sewer sites over the summer. HS2 said it has been keeping the grass short to discourage this but will have an ecologist on site at the start of works / digging and also for the BT cable investigations.