Questions to Boris the Mayor

Question No: 2889 / 2011

Navin Shah

Does the Mayor share my concern about the potential impact of HS2 on the West London Waste Authority transfer station in Hillingdon? Is he doing anything to help resolve the uncertainty?

I am aware of the issue you have raised and the potential impact of the HS2 alignment on rail access to the existing waste transfer station. The current proposals for HS2 sever this access and it is not clear at this point whether an alternative is going to be provided. I know the London Borough of Hillingdon has made representations to the Secretary of State on this matter and I would share their concerns.
I have made it clear that although there is a great case for investing in a high speed rail network, which has the potential to generate major benefits for both London and the UK, my support on the proposal being consulted on is conditional on a number of issues being addressed, which are set out below:

1. Environmental effects – I am seeking changes to the design of the route to ensure any impacts on west Londoners are properly addressed, preferably by tunnelling the whole route through London;
2. Euston dispersal – I am seeking a commitment from the Government that their proposals for HS2 will include a package of measures for addressing the impacts at Euston, including delivery of the first phase of the Chelsea Hackney Line (Crossrail 2) between Clapham Junction and Seven Sisters;
3. Old Oak Common – I am seeking a commitment that complementary rail and other transport enhancements for Old Oak Common are included in the core HS2 scheme to ensure it is accessible to the wider area, and;
4. HS2-HS1 connection - I am asking that the Government consider alternative options that do not impact on North London Line services or limit the potential for these services to be enhanced in the future.

As with any railway, some closures will always be necessary so that TfL can properly maintain the Tube in a safe and reliable condition.
 

Sunday Times: "The prosperity express"

Link to Sunday Times

"HS2 has become a cause celebre for the transport industry. Supporters say it and other big schemes are necessary to relieve stress on the network, and will have an immediate economic impact during construction. Critics say the environmental damage will outweigh the benefits.

"Campaigners on both sides of the argument will know by the end of the year which of their efforts have been successful. That is the expected deadline for a decision on HS2 from Justine Greening, the new transport secretary."

Thursday 27 October: Tonight, City Hall

Park Royal City light-rail line: Earlier visualisation

Click above, then scroll down to Simpsons video
(copyright issues permitting)

"Episode 4/12: Marge vs. the Monorail

"After Mr. Burns is caught storing his excess nuclear waste inside Springfield Park’s trees, he is ordered to pay the town $3 million. The town is originally set to agree to fix Main Street, but the charismatic Lyle Lanley interrupts and convinces the town to use the money to buy one of his monorails."

High Speed Two: A Decision by December?

Link to main 'High Speed Two' web site

"High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd) is the company set up by the Government to consider the case for a new high speed rail network in the UK and for the first phase between London and the West Midlands.

"The Government has now carried out a public consultation on its proposed high speed rail strategy, and the recommended route for an initial high speed line from London to the West Midlands. It was launched 28 February 2011 and closed 29 July 2011. The findings are expected to be announced by the Secretary of State for Transport later this year."

Crossrail promotional videos

(No station in Hammersmith and Fulham, or Kensington and Chelsea, shown above)
 

(That's enough promotional videos.)

Proposed new 'Willesden' Parliamentary Constituency

(Click to enlarge)

The Boundary Commission's draft proposals for changes in parliamentary seats have been published. The proposed new 'Willesden' constituency, replacing 'Brent Central', is shown above, and now includes the 'College Park and Old Oak' ward of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The public consultation period is now open, and closes on 5 December. Consultation meetings will be held at Brent Town Hall, on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st October. 

Further details are on the web sites of Brent Council,

and the Boundary Commission for England.

Earlier lobbying by Hammersmith and Fulham

"Old Oak Common, located three miles west of central London, is being considered as a potential location for a High Speed 2 interchange station. A station based in Old Oak would provide the opportunity for an interchange between HS2, Heathrow Express, the future Crossrail service, and the Greater London, suburban and intercity rail network."

"The HS2 Interchange will provide the opportunity to transform Old Oak Common into a new destination for London, offering unrivalled connectivity by public transport. The site could provide significant levels of commercial and residential development, and provide employment and homes for local residents, supporting London’s long-term demographic and economic growth. By providing a balance of housing types and tenures, Old Oak will also promote diversified communities, and contribute to local requirements for affordable housing."

"The station interchange will open up access to the existing rail infrastructure in this part of West London and, when combined with access to high speed rail, provide the potential for high-grade office facilities, with exceptional links to Central London and Heathrow. Old Oak will attract national and international inward investment, and would become a new major employment destination in London, complementing comparable developments at Stratford City, Kings Cross, and Paddington Basin. [Thankfully no mention of the terrible Brent Cross plan.] The development at Old Oak will transform the quality of the local business base and labour market, and provide a significant source of construction and permanent employment for local people."

(Click on any image for the Hammersmith and Fulham document.)

West London Waste Plan likely to place domestic waste plant bang in the middle of 'Park Royal City'. Shurely Shome Mishtake.

(Click to enlarge)

Link to West London Waste Plan.

The Making of London: bits unfinished

Daily Telegraph: "MPs to air planning law reforms frustration"

Link to Daily Telegraph

"MPs will get their first chance to vent their constituents’ frustration with the Government’s controversial changes to the planning laws in Parliament this week.

"House of Commons business planners have scheduled a 'General debate on National Planning Policy Framework' on the floor of the House of Commons for Thursday."

Hammersmith & Fulham, and Terry Farrell's sim city

Link to Hammersmith & Fulham web site

"Futurist computer generated graphics showing how one of Britain’s poorest neighbourhoods could be transformed by the nation’s first high-speed rail super hub were released today [well, August, actually].

"To the sound track of ‘We Built This City’ by Starship, the YouTube clip shows how vast swathes of derelict or underused industrial land – around Old Oak Common in NW10 – could be transformed into London’s newest city.

"The ambitious regeneration vision, which has been dubbed Park Royal City, shows 12,000 new homes and businesses and 115,000 extra jobs (40,000 in H&F) created around an unrivalled convergence of transport routes in north-west London.

"The four minute video, which was put together by Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council and internationally renowned architects Farrells, was released as a growing coalition of west London businesses leaders and residents came forward to back the plans."

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