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Guest blog by Pete Firmin, resident on the South Kilburn Estate
Just a few notes from the exhibition event HS2 held in
South Kilburn studios on Monday, which might be useful for those who couldn’t
make it (and even for some who did).
As ever, lots of boards with maps and lots of HS2
people standing around waiting to sell you their pet project. Though
whenever I asked a question it was never the person I asked who could (attempt
to) answer it. We, of course, are expected to understand every aspect of what
is going on. While I was there (late afternoon) there were not many members of
the public (maybe 6 during the 3/4 hour I was there). As ever, this may well
get portrayed as a lack of interest, taking no account of the fact that of
those who heard about the event (see below) many would have felt there wasn’t
much point in going, or couldn’t make the times (3-7) it was held. Funny how
they could send everybody a letter (twice) by recorded delivery saying they
might need to CP0 their property, yet can neither rescind these notices (by
sending everybody a letter) nor ensure delivery of letters they consider less
important).
My first question was about distribution of the notice
of the event, knowing that I only knew about it by other means and at least
some others in Gorefield House had not had notice. First reaction – as always –
was to say it had been delivered, then to retreat into “I know there was at
least one block the contracted delivery firm couldn’t get into and we asked for
them to send them via Royal Mail, I will check if that happened”. I pointed out
that I live on the ground floor with direct access, but that didn’t seem to
compute. I also said that it was bit late if they found out now that it never
happened. This is a recurring problem, whether with the Council direct or
others (such as the film company last year). They either don’t bother to
deliver, or do not check if it has happened.
Another issue which comes up regularly is the maps
that are used (people may remember that at the parliamentary enquiry into HS2
we pointed out the inaccuracy of their maps). In this case it seemed
questionable as to whether they recognised that Canterbury Road does not
continue on to Coventry Close, but that there is a section which is just
footpath. Cathedral walk was certainly not named on any of their maps. Maybe
this is why some people seem to think it is okay to drive vehicles along the
footpath.
Part of the significance of Cathedral Walk is that
during their test drilling, and later during the main work, they may find they
have problem with utility pipes etc, in which case they would need to do work
on them, which could mean taking up part of Canterbury Road and Cathedral Walk,
something they will otherwise not need to do.
This event was primarily just about the test drilling,
not the main construction. Even so, I was able to ask again about lorry
movements etc. This will be of particular interest to people in Albert Road and
Canterbury Terrace. For the main construction there will be 100 heavy lorry movements
a day (50 in, 50 out). They will enter the site along Albert Road from the
Queens Park end, entering the site through the railway entrance at the
end of Albert Road. They will leave through Canterbury Works and turn into
Canterbury Terrace and back down Albert Road. When I raised (again) the issue
of the narrowness of Albert Road to take these vehicles, I got the response
from the “traffic guy” that he had just realised this and they would need to
look at how they overcame the problem! We’ve only been pointing this out for
years, after all. One thing they will probably do is make Albert Road one way
(for other traffic, not HS2) with a diversion.
Their plans also show the loss of 15 parking bays on
Albert Road during construction. When I asked where those people were expected
to park, I was told wherever they can. No provision will be made for
alternative parking. When I pointed out the lack of parking spaces in the
estate already, I got a shrug of the shoulders. I also asked where site workers
were going to park and was told they would be `expected’ to use public
transport. When I asked `yes, but what if they do bring their cars”, he said
they would need to pay for parking. And what if they use residents parking
bays, as was a constant problem with the construction site on Alpha Place?
`That’s up to the Council to enforce’. More wry laughter from me.
An issue of particular concern to many of us is
working hours and enforcement of them. I was told that working hours are
restricted to 8-6, BUT that they are allowed half an hour each side for
preparation. They said they would also take account of the fact that they would
be next to the school, but I could not get an answer as to what this concretely
means. From bitter experience, I asked how all this would be enforced and was
told “these are top tier contactors who will know that have to keep to the
rules”. I pointed out that Wilmott Dixon is also considered a pretty “top tier”
construction company and had repeatedly flouted the rules, I was told this wouldn’t
happen with HS2. When I asked about enforcement, I was firstly told the Council
(wry laugh from me!) and that people could send in reports and photos of
infringement. As if we hadn’t been doing so for years with no effect. They gave
me a copy of their “Residents Charter” and their “Code of Construction
Practice”, but we have seen such promises before. Hopefully these are worth
more than the paper they are written on, but we will obviously need to keep a
close watch.
Lastly, I have been asking at every opportunity for
years whether it creates problems that they will be tunnelling for HS2
underneath the Bakerloo line and never got an answer. Finally spoke to someone
who knew what he was talking about, who said, yes, there are particular issues
and `we will need to monitor whether our tunnelling causes the Bakerloo tunnels
to sink. We don’t expect them to, and we don’t foresee having to close the
Bakerloo line (or the mainline nearby) at all’.
