London,
16
May
2016
|
15:11
Europe/London

HS2: HS2 Ltd share options for transporting materials by rail

This week HS2 Ltd has shared their work so far on transporting construction materials and waste by rail. This is one of the key assurances secured by Camden Council in December that seeks to reduce the number of HS2 lorries on Camden’s roads.

At events this week HS2 Ltd asked residents for their views on three potential sites for loading and unloading of excavated and construction materials that would be transported by rail instead of road. This feedback will be taken into account when the study’s recommendations are considered by the Euston Station Strategic Redevelopment Board before being submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport for consideration.

Site options

At the events HS2 Ltd presented three options for sites:

1. A new siding north of Granby Terrace (south of Park Village East and adjacent to the DB Schenker Carriage Shed), known as Backing Out Road 2, for Stage A construction

2. Using the relocated Platform 18 within the Network Rail Station footprint for Stage A construction

3. Using Platform 13 within the Network Rail Station footprint for Stage B1 construction

Commenting on the proposed sites, Councillor Phil Jones, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning, said:

"HS2 Ltd must minimise the number of HGVs on our roads, to reduce the impact the scheme will have on noise and air pollution and improve safety on our streets. These proposals show it is possible to use rail to carry construction and excavation materials and it's only right that the views of the community are sought early on."

“There is clearly more work to be done – HS2 Ltd must increase the use of rail to transport construction materials given the benefits to the local community. It will not be acceptable to primarily focus on costs to the rail industry or small delays to the construction timetable.”

Along with Transport for London, Camden Council is continuing to participate in HS2 Ltd’s study into the options for transporting materials by rail and in particular is pushing HS2 Ltd to:

  • Increase the use of rail to transport materials, including concrete, to site.
  • Maximise the use of rail to transport materials both in and out during Phase B1 of construction at Euston Station and in the approaches to the station.
  • Clearly set out the environmental benefits of taking HGVs off Camden’s roads and ensure they are fully taken into account against any associated costs such as those to rail services and any construction delays caused by increasing the use of rail to transport materials.

Air quality monitoring

At the same events HS2 Ltd shared details of their plans to quantify and minimise the impact that construction traffic will have on local air quality in line with the assurances that HS2 Ltd provided to Camden Council in relation to air quality.

This included 39 proposed locations for air quality monitoring in advance of construction starting. This is the first step in finalising the locations and types of monitoring HS2 Ltd will undertake, and Camden Council officers will be meeting with them to discuss these proposals shortly.

We have long argued for extensive pre-construction monitoring, including automatic monitoring which provides the most accurate picture of baseline conditions. We expect HS2 Ltd to take into account input from the community and Camden’s recommendations when finalising the locations and types of baseline monitoring to be undertaken.

Requiring extensive baseline monitoring, and the commitment from HS2 in route-wide air quality assurance 2 to produce plans to reduce adverse impacts on local air quality from construction traffic, are both measures that go beyond what is normally expected of major construction projects, and will help the Council ensure that HS2’s impact on local air quality is minimised as far as possible.

National Temperance Hospital

This week HS2 Ltd also held engagement events on its proposal to start demolishing the National Temperance Hospital under permitted development legislation in advance of the HS2 Bill becoming law. HS2 Ltd has not yet made a formal prior-approval application to the Council, which would be required before demolition can take place.

More information