South Ruislip Residents AssociationHillingdon Against HS2 - Newsletter 31
The full newsletter can be found on this page. Please note there is a HS2 event at Ruislip Golf Club, Ickenham Road, Ruislip HA4 7DQ on Monday 17th June between noon and 8pm.
"Please come along and find out just what your local area has in store in terms of the most affected areas and the likely disruption from construction traffic that is planned.We hope to have representatives from Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2, Ickenham and Harefield along with Hillingdon Council Officers and Councillors to talk you through details and maps."
13/06/2013
Hillingdon Against HS2: HS2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Open Event
HS2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
WHAT? WHERE? HOW?
COME AND FIND OUT
HILLINGDON AGAINST HS2
INFORMATION DAY
MONDAY 17TH JUNE
11a.m - 8pm
WEST RUISLIP GOLF CLUB
Ickenham Road, Ruislip HA4 7DQ
(Closest Tube - West Ruislip)
HS2 Ltd have launched an environmental consultation,revealing devastating details of how the High Speed Rail link will have a shocking impact on our local area and community.The construction and operation of the line will cause serious disruption to everyone living,working, travelling or commuting around Northolt, A40, Ruislip, Ickenham and Harefield. If you thought HS2 wouldn't affect you - think again.
Please do come along to this event and see just how HS2 will effect you...
HS2 Ltd are holding an event on the same day at Perivale Community Centre,Horsenden Lane,Perivale UB6 7NP
Frees Shuttle Buses will run every 2 hours between 12 Noon and 6pm
From The Car Park of West Ruislip Golf Club.
For more information
www.hillingdon-against-hs2.com
09/06/2013
HS2 Draft Environmental Statement consultation
The HS2 government organisation are starting to consult on the Draft Environmental statement. They expand by stating... "As you will know, the Government has decided to seek Parliamentary approval to construct a new high speed rail network (HS2). In January 2012 the Government announced its preferred route for the first phase of the network between London and the West Midlands. This is a vital project that will help promote economic growth by providing the long-term transport capacity our country needs. HS2 will become a national asset that will improve services between our cities and regions and free up substantial space on the existing railway."
The full text can be read here at HS2 Forum Document. This details times of meetings (which have passed in the immediate Ruislip area) but the leaflets detail other methods of responding.
Accompanying leaflets HS2 Ltd Design Refinement Consultation Leaflet.pdf and HS2 Ltd Draft Environmental Statement Consultation Leaflet.pdf can be found by clicking on their titles.
30/05/2013
Hillingdon Against HS2 - Newsletter 30
The full newsletter can be found on this page. Sorry for getting this one to you a little late. Please sign up for the newsletter if you would like to see it more swiftly!
30/05/2013
Increase In Flights from RAF Northolt
Following a briefing from RAF Northolt yesterday please see the update from them which follows outlining an increase in the number of commercial flights from the airfield.
RAF Northolt Future Brief
The Government has completed a review of various options to exploit the estate at RAF Northolt and has decided that it should remain an active military airfield. However, in light of the pressures on the public sector generally and the Defence budget in particular, it is important to generate more revenue from the existing estate. Accordingly Ministers have directed that the existing self-imposed ceiling of 7,000 commercial movements per year is to be increased to 12,000, which is within the existing NATS limits of 40 commercial movements per day. The increase is to be achieved gradually over the next 3 years. Military movements are expected to remain at around 5,500 per year.
Historically RAF Northolt operated with around 55,000 movements per year when London Airport from 1947-53. In recent years total movements peaked at 15,100 in 1989 but have been at around 12,500-13,000 in the last few years. The increase to 12,000 commercial movements would take the total to around 17,500 by 2016.
The increase is to be achieved within existing operating parameters and there is therefore no proposal to extend the existing opening hours and the daily number of commercial movements will remain within the existing 40 movements per day permitted under NATS guidelines. Due to airspace capacity issues there is no likelihood of any further increase in commercial movements at RAF Northolt without a corresponding decrease elsewhere.
Commercial movements will continue to be restricted to quieter aircraft with capacity for no more than 30 passengers. The airfield will remain closed to commercial traffic overnight, Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
An increase of 5,000 flight movements involves a maximum increase of around 2,500 vehicles per year using the West End Road (around 8 per day). The average load is 3 passengers arriving in a single vehicle. The annual average daily flow on the A4180 as published on the DfT website is in excess of 12,000 cars/taxis (around 15,000 vehicles in all).
Business Aviation activity at RAF Northolt directly employs 80 civilian personnel, while providing business for local limousine services and catering. The increased activity will further increase employment opportunities.
Ministers have written to local Members of Parliament to inform them of the proposal to increase the number of commercial movements. This follows consultation with DfT, CAA and NATS. RAF Northolt is now beginning a process of discussing the proposal with local Councillors and Residents Groups.
30/04/2013
Hillingdon Against HS2 - Newsletter 29
The full newsletter can be found on this page. The latest newsletters covers issues such as the judicial review, the spur to Heathrow and the latest developments in the fight against HS2.
28/04/2012
Date of Next Quarterly Meeting in 2013 & Speakers Planned
The next quarterly meeting will be held at St Mary’s Church Hall, The Fairway, South Ruislip, on Wednesday 24th July starting at 8pm. If you have any items to submit for consideration at the meeting please send to Secretary Jeremy Wasden or via the email address at this site. Best to do this a month in advance for the agenda, but otherwise send us an email at our contact email address.
The meetings for the rest of the year:
Wednesday, 24th July 2013 A speaker from HS2 is booked to speak.
Wednesday, 23rd October 2013
28/04/2013
Concert of the RAF Benevolent Fund for the Dambusters 70th Anniversary in Ruislip. Thursday 11th July 2013 7.30pm.
09/04/2013
Update from Sqn Lrd Willis of RAF Northolt on Activities at the Base
From Wednesday 27 March until Monday 1 April essential works to replace the 1941 substructure of the eastern end of the runway will be carried out where the binding material has failed. Approximately 200m, 2/3 of the width of the runway requires excavation and relaying. To facilitate the swift completion of the work the airfield will be closed to commercial traffic from 8pm on Wednesday 27 March until midday Monday 01 April.
In addition to the runway work, removal of the turf applied to the arrestor bed during the Olympic deployment of Typhoon aircraft, will be carried out. The turf must be removed before the roots penetrate the geo-textile material and compromise the arresting capabilities of the arrestor beds. The soil and turf will be relocated to the area behind Wingfield Way to level the ground and allow the area to drain more effectively.
To minimise the disruption and noise for local residents the following mitigation measures will be put in place:
1. A one way system for the airfield works, in through the White House Gate along the runway and out through Main Gate. This will reduce the need for reversing of the lorries delivering and removing material and minimise disruption for residents who back onto the White House Gate.
2. A road plate with noise dampeners will be installed over the Southern Cattle Grid at the entrance to the runway area. This will reduce the noise of vehicles travelling over the metal grid.
3. The diggers moving material to the south of the White House Gate will have the reversing alarms disconnected for the duration of the work.
The material to be used in the runway works is at least 50% recycled content and all the material removed will be recycled. On-site recycling was considered and rejected as this would significantly increase the noise levels and extend the time required to complete the work and therefore extending the disruption.
Much work has been completed over the past few years to replace or resurface the airfield and this work is finally coming to an end. The final phase of the works is currently planned for summer 2013 and will be the installation of an additional surface layer along the length of the runway. Fortunately this work will not require any further excavation.
27/03/2012
Hillingdon Against HS2 - Newsletter 28
The full newsletter can be found on this page. The latest newsletters covers issues such as Hillingdon Against HS2's reaction to the judicial review and the march in Ealing on the 23rd March.
27/03/2012
South Ruislip News Update
Sainsbury's South Ruislip has planning permission and is set to expand. Read more in the Gazette.
The judicial review of HS2 has rejected many of the key objections.
16/03/2012
HS2 Update 14/03/12
This week
The long awaited outcome of the Judicial Reviews will be on announced at half 10 on Friday morning (the 15th). We will be up at the Royal Courts of Justice to hear the outcome.Heathrow
If you not already aware of the currently suspended Heathrow Spur route through the South of the Borough then you can see a map and find out more here: http://www.hs2.org.uk/have-your-say/consultations/phase-two/exceptional-hardship-scheme. There is a current exceptional hardship scheme consultation ongoing for the temporary compensation scheme that residents possibly affected by the Heathrow Spur can apply for. I would suggest you respond on behalf of any residents associations etc. HS2 published the preferred route for the first time in January at the same time as announcing it is on hold until after the Davies Commission reports. Do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
What we've been up to
We have as always been very busy. In the past few months we have:
Responded to the 28th January announcement of Phase 2 – with press releases and media including LBC Nick Ferrari / Radio 5 Live and ITV London. We were cancelled from a live debate on BBC News Channel as they could not find enough people to speak for HS2!!
Worked to support new action groups
Investigated and communicated around the announcement regarding the Heathrow Spur.
Met with:
John Randall MP
Hillingdon Council
New action groups in Yorkshire
Attended:
community forums for South Ruislip to Ickenham and the Colne Valley
Hillingdon council meeting for residents affected by safeguarding
Ruislip Residents Association AGM where HS2 were guest speakers
HS2 Consultation Roadshow in Ruislip
Amersham HS2 shop
The Harefield group have also been attending events in Denham and the Colne Valley Centre. Arranged a counter information event for the Roadshow in conjunction with Ickenham, Harefield, Denham and Ealing groups with over 600 attending our event with lots of great feedback.
Submitted a detailed consultation response to the compensation and safeguarding consultations. Distributed many postcards to residents to assist them in responding to the consultation.
What we're doing next
Well apart from going to the Royal Courts of Justice and arranging the quiz. This weekend there is a HS2 Judicial Review Event with lots of high profile campaigners attending at the Amersham HS2 shop and also an AGAHST (Action Groups Against High Speed Two) meeting, both of which Lottie is planning to attend. We are following up numerous official complaints, FOI requests and other issues with HS2 Ltd and our MPs on residents behalf. We have also been told that HS2 are cancelling our community forums for the future. So we will be arranging and attending various bilateral meetings as and when with HS2 and others.
We will continue to support existing and new action groups, HS2 Action Alliance, Stop HS2 and AGAHST, and work with the council, residents associations and any other relevant parties such as HOAC and Colne Valley. Our main priority in the coming months will be preparing for and responding to the Environmental Consultation and empowering residents to be able to respond too. This will include a counter event to complement the HS2 roadshow. We will also respond to the Excceptional Hardship Scheme Consultation (Phase 2).
We will arrange meetings as and when to support these priorities or on request.
How to keep in touch
If you are not feeling up to date there are 3 main ways to keep up to date with our groups activities.
Join our facebook group – Ruislip Against HS2
Sign up for Lottie's newsletters by emailing info@ruislip-against-hs2.co.uk
Check our website – www.hillingdon-against-hs2.com (and send us info/articles to feature on there too)
And of course you can always come meet with us or give us a call.
Thank you for your continuing support.
Keri Brennan
www.hillingdon-against-hs2.com
14/03/2013
Stop HS2: Petition, paving bill, judicial reviews and the Y route
Paving Bill
Last weekend, Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin announced plans to introduce a 'Paving Bill' for HS2 in the Queens Speech this May. People on both stages of HS2 have been expecting that the first vote in Parliament would be on a Hybrid Bill, which would be subject to years of scrutiny. Now the plan is to have a quick vote to release more money for both stages of the project before MPs can properly look into the plans during the Hybrid Bill. Please sign the petition to stop this underhand process, and urge everyone you know to sign it too.
Scrap plans for the HS2 'Paving Bill' – http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46498
Petitions are vitally important, as they directly show the Government what people think of issues like HS2. Right now politicians will be looking very carefully at their policies in light of the Eastleigh by-election results. So please help us send a message to the government by signing the petition and asking your friends and family to sign it too.
Paving bills are used to spend money which would not normally be allowed until Royal Assent. This is leading to speculation that not only is the hybrid bill for phase 1 falling behind schedule but that HS2 is already going over budget well before it's even started. The suggested paving bill looks like an attempt to pre-empt the democratic process and override local concerns by getting legislation for HS2 without the scrutiny from a hybrid bill.
Y route:
At the end of January, the government announced the route of the second phase of HS2. Numerous people are now having to face up to the reality of HS2, and are looking closely at the HS2 plans, perhaps for the first time. There have been lots of local meetings and new action groups forming, and we expect there to be many more.
If you email volunteer@stophs2.org, we can help you set up a local action group and put you in touch with other campaigners. Don't feel like you are alone, we are all working together.
A grassroots campaign like Stop HS2 relies on everyone's efforts. Lots of people have fantastic ideas and other great ways of being involved include raising local awareness, writing to your MP, signing the petition and getting involved in a local action group.
Grassroots campaigns also need funding, both at a local level and nationally. Money raised by new local action groups will be needed to raise local awareness and other important local activities: to contribute to the national Stop HS2 campaign so we can support local efforts, please see http://stophs2.org/donate/ You can also buy Stop HS2 merchandise at http://www.stophs2-officialmerchandise.co.uk/
Judicial Review:
In December, five legal challenges into how the Government has planned HS2 went to the high court. We are still waiting for the date of the announcement of the result of these Judicial Reviews. We are unlikely to know more than a day in advance. It had been expected in January, but there's a lot of evidence for the judge to look through. We think the case is clear against the Government's handling of HS2, we just now need to see what the judgement actually is.
Whatever the judge says, it's likely to go to appeal. If so, there will be fundraising appeal to pay for costs.
Petition!
Remember to sign the petition: Scrap plans for the HS2 'Paving Bill' http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/46498. If we get 100,000 signatures, there'll be a debate about it in Parliament, so please use the twitter and facebook to spread the word and forward this email to your friends and family.
Penny, Joe and the Stop HS2 team.
PS You can subscribe and unsubscribe from this email at http://stophs2.org/mailing-list/216-join-our-e-mail-list/
08/03/2013
Ruislip Through Time
Keen students of South Ruislip history as we are at SRRA, we were interested to learn that Eileen Bowlt has completed her new book "Ruislip Through Time" which features, Eileen says, a number of pictures from around the South Ruislip area.
The Dakota crash happened in 1946 and there is interesting comment on the internet about it from BBC4 Home Truths and a write up on the two RAF Northolt crashes in the Ealing Gazette.
Eileen also sent a picture from South Ruislip Station in 1937. It’s strange in that it has changed, yet you still know exactly where you are looking!
Eileen’s book is currently on sale at the Mad Cap Bookshop on Ruislip High Street, at the Cowbire Cafe at Manor Farm and at other local bookshops and costs £9.99.
03/03/2013
Air Ambulance Moves to RAF Northolt
According to a press release from the RAF base, the Air Ambulance has moved it's over night base from Denham to Northolt. Whilst we are keen to minimise noise disruption for residents, I am sure a majority of residents will welcome Northolt supporting such a vital service to the capital.
London’s Air Ambulance, the Charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, has moved its overnight airbase from Denham to RAF Northolt. The relocation of its MD902 Explorer helicopter (the quietest in its class) to the Royal Air Force base in South Ruislip will reduce flight time to and from the helipad at The Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, thereby saving on fuel costs.
The close proximity of RAF Northolt to Whitechapel and the direct helicopter route between the two destinations will save three minutes in flying time at the beginning and end of each day. As well as reducing overall fuel consumption, the Charity has also secured a favourable fuel rate with Air BP.
The airbase’s position closer to sea level will potentially reduce the impact of adverse weather conditions, such as low cloud, for the life-saving service. As a military station, RAF Northolt guarantees a high level of security to its occupants and has superb facilities.
Commenting, Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, said: "We are extremely thankful to Denham airfield for their support and hard work over the years. The expiry of that contract however created an opportunity to review our airbase facilities and RAF Northolt offers excellent benefits to our service, both operationally and in cost savings for the Charity".
Wing Commander Dan Storr, Officer Commanding Operations Wing at RAF Northolt, said: "We are delighted to be able to host London’s Air Ambulance at RAF Northolt. That this move also provides significant benefits to the Charity, and therefore to its users, is a welcome bonus. We look forward to working closely with the London’s Air Ambulance team in support of the vital work they undertake."
To donate to London’s Air Ambulance LAAS01 £(donation amount) to 70070 or visit www.londonsairambulance.co.uk/donate
London’s Air Ambulance is the Charity which runs London’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. The service provides pre-hospital medical care to victims of serious injury, at the scene of the incident, throughout London - serving the 10 million people who live, work and commute within the M25. Based at the Royal London Hospital and founded in 1989, the service is unique in that it operates 24/7, with the helicopter running in daylight hours and rapid response cars taking over at night.
The Team, which at all times includes a Senior Trauma Doctor and a specially trained Paramedic, perform advanced medical interventions, normally only found in the Hospital Emergency Department, in time critical, life threatening situations. Missions commonly involve serious road traffic collisions, falls from height, industrial accidents, assaults and injuries on the rail network. London’s Air Ambulance has an international reputation for clinical excellence and delivers pioneering procedures which have been adopted across the world.
12/02/2013
Your Quarterly Newsletter
Each quarter your SRRA committee write, print and then Road Steward's deliver the South Ruislip Residents Association Newsletter to all members. The most recent addition can be viewed here. We plan on making the newsletter more widely available online, a couple of months after they have been received by our members.
The newsletters are a great way of finding out what is happening in the area!
16/02/2013
Ruislip Against HS2 - Newsletter 26
[Editor: Views Expressed are those of Ruislip Against HS2]
Dear Supporters,
Ruislip Against HS2 is officially now 2 years old! If you are new to this news letter - welcome! and if you have received them in the past - thanks for sticking with us!! - we'd like to grow our support so do please pass on details of anyone you know who would like to be included or ask them to email us at info@ruislip-against-hs2.co.uk
The end of January saw the close of the government's consultation on compensation and we are very grateful to those of you who took the time to respond and who helped out with the distribution of our postcards in such awful weather! We very much hope that the result of this consultation will have an impact on the government's future and final decision on compensation if ever HS2 goes ahead.
If you would like to see the response submitted by Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2 it is availableHERE
It is worth pointing out again that there is still time and opportunity to STOP HS2 and just because we have been giving our opinions on compensation it does not mean we are accepting the government's scheme or that it is a done deal!
PUBLIC MEETING
For the last year HS2 Ltd have refused to speak at any public meetings in Ruislip,apart from the very poor presentations they put on as part of their consultations.Hillingdon Against HS2 have repeatedly requested a public meeting, since the only other means of engagement they have is at our community forums, which residents are NOT permitted to go to! We attend these meetings on your behalf and are continually frustrated by the way we are being treated and the lack of any meaningful responses we get from the HS2 Ltd staff. BUT on Wednesday 20th February at 7p.m at Ruislip Social Club, Grosvenor Vale, Ruilsip, HA4 6LG HS2 Ltd will be guest speakers at a meeting held by Ruislip Resident's Association.
(Probably agreed to by HS2 Ltd because RRA are the only resident group in Ruislip who have shown no resistance to the plans for HS2 and in our opinion have done little to support affected residents.). This meeting is open to RRA members AND any other local residents!!
We feel that this is an ideal opportunity to turn out in numbers to publicly put HS2 Ltd on the spot with as many questions as possible. We really urge you to go along and ask your questions and voice your opinions - as loudly as possible!!
Ruislip Against HS2 will be there and we hope to gather a big enough crowd to show the strength of feeling in the community. Please join in!!
COUNCIL MEETING / COMPENSATION
Last week Hillingdon Council held a meeting for residents who's property or business falls within HS2 Ltd's safeguarded zone. It would seem that there is still a great deal of confusion about the current compensation proposals.The information that was set out by the government was for consultation purposes only.
Just to clarify - as HS2 does not exist yet and has not been legislated for - THERE IS NO COMPENSATION SCHEME at present. If you are eligible,the only available option is The Emergency Hardship Scheme. Open to anyone who can show an urgent need to sell their property but can't because of HS2. For more details see HERE
At the meeting, Hillingdon Council made their position on HS2 very clear. They will continue to completely reject the government's proposals for the project and will do as much as they can to support local residents and Hillingdon Against HS2, not only as our local council but as a significant part of the HERE to see a statement from HS2 Ltd about the Heathrow Spur and the first available map of their preferred route.
Now that the maps for the so called 'Y route' have been revealed, large swathes of land in northern England have been blighted and many more communities have woken up to the devastation that is HS2.
There are lots of new action groups starting up who will be joining the campaign and Hillindon Against HS2 have been helping to provide support and advice for them. New maps of the Y route can be found HERE please check them out and alert friends and family that may live on the newly affected routes.
FUNDRAISING
We are always looking for funds to help our campaign, partly to help us raise awareness locally and to help with all our activities but also to support the huge input from the National STOP HS2 group along with HS2 Action Alliance. In particular to help fund crucial action such as the JRs.
As such, we are holding a big fundraising evening! On Thursday March 14th at Ruislip Rugby Club. We will be holding a Quiz night to include a Fish&Chip Supper. We are currently looking for any donations that can be offered as raffle prizes! If you are able to help or would like a ticket (first come, first served!)Please contact Christine Leonard on 07742 239325 or email info@ruislip-against-hs2.co.uk We look forward to seeing you there!
MORE WAYS TO HELP
Shopping on-line? Register here to make donations to the campaign every time you shop. It costs you nothing! www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stophs2/
Or if you feel able to make even the smallest financial contribution to our campaign we would be very grateful. Cheques can be made payable to Hillingdon Against HS2 and sent to: Hillingdon Against HS2, 17 Roundways, Ruislip, HA4 6EA
Payments can be sent to Account Number: 63493245 Sort Code: 20-73-53
Don't forget the best way to keep up with the latest is to join us on Facebookfor daily updates or by visiting our website. and following us on Twitter @HillingdonAHS2
Once again, Many thanks for your continued interest and support,
Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2
16/02/2013
Cranes, Planes and...RAF Northolt or Things That Go Bump in the Fog
RAF Northolt is the RAF’s only operational airfield inside the M25. The Station sits alongside the A40 next to the Polish War Memorial. You know the bit where the lampposts suddenly shrink. That’s because the normal size ones are too tall in the approach to the runway and that is why I am writing this article. As you can imagine, aircraft don’t mix well with tall objects. What you might not know is that companies and contractors who require to operate cranes and lifting equipment within 6 kilometres of an aerodrome boundary and at heights of more than 10 metres above ground level or that of surrounding structures or trees, if higher, must receive prior permission from the Aerodrome operator. We require 28 days notice for such activity. How does this affect you? If you are involved in the construction of a new building or the extension of an existing one, you may need to hire in a crane. If the crane is under a contract hire, it is the crane operator’s responsibility to contact us. However, if it is a private hire, it is the hirer’s responsibility, but were you aware of the rules? The circle on the map below shows a 6 km circle around RAF Northolt.
Everyone knows about Heathrow, but it’s easy to overlook Northolt, but at what cost? Well the worst case scenario is that you could inadvertently be the cause of a crash. All of our procedures are designed to provide the appropriate ground or obstruction clearance. However, if a crane is erected in the approach to one of our runways our safety margins will be eroded. Our procedures make allowance for poor weather and aircraft difficulties that could cause them to fly lower than expected. However, if it is a bad weather day and a pilot then has an emergency that means that he dips below the height he would normally fly at he could conceivably collide with an un-notified crane. This couldn’t happen, could it? In the 12 months since I took over running the Air Traffic Control Tower at RAF Northolt, we have had at least a dozen un-notified cranes. One of them, a 42 metre high mobile crane, appeared out of the fog one spring morning. It had been erected early in the morning and when we could only see half a mile. Good enough to fly in, but we couldn’t see the crane! The crane was ¾ of a mile from the end of the runway at a point where the aircraft would normally be descending through 50 metres above the runway. 8 metres is not much of a gap, some of our locals can’t even drive to that level of accuracy, let alone fly!
What can you do to help? If you have hired a crane and are in any doubt, just drop me an email at this address nor-opssatco@mod.uk. I will send you a blank permit for you to fill in some details and then once I have that back, we can work out a plan. In most cases, it should not pose a problem. However, if your activities affect our aircraft we will have to look at the impact and make suitable arrangements. These could range from restricted operating times to a temporary change in our procedures.
I really do look forward to hearing from you. If I don’t hear from you and you put up a crane that is too tall, expect a site visit from an angry air traffic controller in a yellow Land Rover. You can also expect to stop the work until the issue is resolved, so it is in your interest to let me know.
Pete Soanes, Senior Air Traffic Control Officer, RAF Northolt
20/01/2012
Dear Prime Minister, Where the SRRA stand on the HS2 Property & Compensation Consultation
Sid Jackson, Vice Chair of the SRRA, says "I believe the Government should keep its promise that no individual should suffer a significant loss as a result of the planning or implementation of HS2".
Sid goes on to detail where exactly the proposals fall short and highlights failings for residents in the compensation consultation proposal.
Short falls such as, "...it is unfair that there is no compensation during construction for disruption, losses, residential issues, impact on families etc." and "You are not keeping your Government’s promise to compensate everyone suffering a significant loss. All people and communities who suffer blight should be compensated. Voluntary purchase should be for the thousands of blighted properties that can prove their property has lost value due to HS2, not just the few very near the line."
The full response to the consultation can be read here.
16/01/2012
The New South Ruislip Library and Adult Education Facility
As you see the new library near Sainsbury's is open. They have plenty of books, audio books, periodicals (yes you can read the SRRA Newsletter in your local library) or if you fancy surfing the web from a PC or Mac you can do this too. The library looked well stock and very comfortable, with comfy seats and a place to buy a coffee if you are thirsty. Speaking to the staff you can park in the small car park if there is a space and if you have borrowed books from other libraries in the borough you can return them at our out new local site.
Away from the library upstairs, the adult education centre has a number of courses.
& I was very pleased with the ten week, computing course I took at the library. The facilities and the teaching were good and I have booked for another course in January" said Sarah Wasden, local resident and SRRA member.
12/12/2012
Out and About in South Ruislip
A cold start to the day this morning and a frosty spider web on a gate in South Ruislip caught my eye... Jeremy
12/12/2012
Ruislip Against HS2: Newsletter 23
The battle against HS2 is entering a whole new phase with lots going on in coming weeks. The long awaited announcement on the government's intentions for provision of compensation has just been made. A public consultation about safeguarding and compensation schemes,is now open and closes on 31st January. Please know that RAHS2 along with HAHS2 are continuing to campaign to STOP HS2 in it's entirety. However if the government insist on blindly pushing ahead with this project we want to ensure that we fight for the best possible treatment of those affected and that is why we must engage with the consultation on compensation now.
It does not mean that HS2 will definitely go ahead! We have been analysing the compensation packages that the government are calling "generous" - and we are less than impressed. The complicated way the scheme is set out means lots of residents are more confused than ever and once the criteria for claiming has been waded through it is becoming clear that very few people will qualify for compensation that is anywhere near adequate - let alone generous. Many more will not be entitled to anything. This is particularly true for residents in Hillingdon who's property will be above or adjacent to tunnelling and because urban areas within the M25 have been discriminated against as different criteria exists to cover those in rural areas.
For more information about what safeguarding means and details of the consultation,including the maps of affected areas please see our website.
We are very concerned that there will be a general misconception of "compensation" - this word in it's self is very misleading. There is little that can make up for stress, suffering and anxiety. Many residents have lived in limbo, with blighted property and the enormous worry of not being able to move or plan a future, for over 2 years. What is being proposed does not take into account the physical and mental toll HS2 has had on so many, the proposed schemes barely cover bricks and mortar and this is unacceptable.
This consultation is open to everyone - not just those affected and we would urge as many people as possible to respond.We hope that you will take time to support not only those in your local community but the thousands of families who are affected along the route of HS2. Of course there are still many,many,more who will find out their homes and businesses are at risk once the route to Heathrow and the 'Y' route to Manchester and Leeds are announced.
This is known as "Phase 2" of HS2 and is due to be announced before the end of this year.....
We will shortly be putting together some advice to help you to respond to the consultation,we will make it available on our website and hopefully in leaflet form which we aim to distribute widely. HS2 Ltd will be holding an information event in Ruislip on Monday December 3rd at The Winston Churchill Hall, Pinn Way Ruislip Middlesex HA4 7QL between 12 Noon and 8pm.
Please do try and attend this event - RAHS2 and HAHS2 will be there with our own information stand and representatives from Ickenham,Harefield, Denham and Ealing, as these areas are being ignored by HS2 Ltd and not being given an event of their own,despite being some of the most badly affected areas. Ultimately we hope that enough people will respond to this consultation to send a clear message to the government that they are still getting things so wrong. They cannot afford to build HS2 and they are proving they can't afford fair compensation.
We do often ask you to write to your MP to continue to put pressure on them to support their constituents.It is clear that all the MPs covering our local communities don't appear to be doing enough to support us and they really need reminding to do their jobs!!
PLEASE write with your views and let them know we expect more of them.The easiest way to do this is here - a website that does it for you. All you need to do is to enter a postcode! if you've written before and haven't had a response write again and complain! www.highspeedrail.org.uk
We recently attended the latest Colne Valley Community Forum which covers the area between Ickenham and Harefield to Denham. We are very slowly being drip fed snippets of information by HS2 Ltd,giving us an idea of what is being planned in the way of construction compounds,road closures and routes for construction traffic.
So far, we know that there are proposals for Harvil Road,Moorehall Road and HOAC to be used for construction sites. These are expected to have up to 100 working staff on site and roads scheduled to be closed or disrupted for 3.5 - 4 years.(!)The route out of the area for construction traffic to the A40 is expected to be via Harvil Road and Swakeleys roundabout.
There will be new access roads for construction vehicles to the M25 with further disruption to Tilehouse Lane,Denham Way and Chalfont Lane and A412 in Denham. This information is subject to change but there are no alternatives on the table at present.
The HS2 Community Forum for Ruislip and Ickenham will be on November 27th and we also have a meeting planned with HS2 Ltd engineers to discuss details of the proposals for tunnelling and tunnel portals in our area. We hope to have some more information to update you with soon.
HAHS2 would like to thank all of you who took time to respond to our recent survey.
The results have given us lots of information about what you are most concerned about and what you would like to see from the campaign going forward.We will be working hard to ensure we take all your comments and ideas on board. Thank you too for your positive messages of support.
If you would like to see a detailed breakdown of the survey and our response please click HERE
We previously informed you that the Judicial Review against HS2 Ltd and the government is due to start on Dec 3rd and that we would be planning to have a presence outside The Royal Courts of Justice.This now co-insides with our event in Ruislip as above.
( Some would say this is no co-incidence ! )We feel it would be more important for residents to be in Ruislip finding out about compensation issues and challenging HS2 Ltd, than being outside the courts. However we still have plans to support any event that is happening there to so we will keep you updated with any plans.
The best way to keep up with the latest news is to join us on Facebook for daily updates or by visiting our website www.hillingdon-against-hs2.com and following us on Twitter @HillingdonAHS2
We continue to desperately need practical support.If you can spare any time to get more involved we would love to hear from you. We are particularly keen to hold some local fundraising events. If you think you could help out with any organising please do get in touch. info@ruislip-against-hs2.co.uk
Christmas shopping on-line? Register here to make donations to the campaign everytime you shop. It costs you nothing!! http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/stophs2/
Or if you feel able to make even the smallest financial contribution to our campaign we would be very grateful. Cheques can be made payable to "Hillingdon Against HS2" and sent to: Hillingdon Against HS2, 17 Roundways, Ruislip, HA4 6EA
Or make an on-line payment to: Account Number: 63493245 Sort Code: 20-73-53
Once again, Many Thanks for your continued interest and support, Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2
02/12/2012
Paying to Dump Rubbish at the Victoria Road Site
Since the 1st October 2012, the South Ruislip refuse collection site have introduced a charge for dumping DIY waste. Details of the costs can be found on the councils website here.
However, other sites in the area such as West Drayton and Harefield will accept this waste with no charge (do take proof of residency or your Hillingdon First card).
We find it strange that there should be different rules for different tips in the same borough.
18/11/2012
HS2 Property Compensation and Consultation Events
Events have been booked by Department for Transport: HS2 to consult and discuss compensation at public meetings...
"As you are aware the property compensation consultation is currently in progress. To aid this consultation HS2 will be having consultation events along the line of route, including three events in London."
The details of the London events are as follows:
Thursday 15 November 2012, 13:00 - 20:00
Old Oak Community and Children's Centre,
76 Braybrook Street, London, W12 0AP
Saturday 1 December 2012, 09:00 - 17:00
Bengali Workers Association, Surma Community Centre
1 Robert Street, London NW1 3JU
Monday 3 December 2012, 12:00 - 20:00
Winston Churchill Hall,
Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL
Please note that you are not restricted on what event to attend or how many you attend; these are public events aimed at answering queries and giving relevant information and advice with regards to this consultation. A full list of consultation events can be found here.
Further information on the consultation can be found here on the local gov website.
11/11/2012
Ruislip Against HS2: Newsletter 23
Dear Supporters,
It's been a busy month again for Ruislip Against HS2. Keeping up with the twists and turns in the campaign to stop HS2 is an exhausting business and the developments over the last few weeks have been no exception. Community forums,party conferences, consultation and franchise fiascos... there is much to tell!
HS2 Ltd have been visiting us again. Hillingdon and Ruislip Against HS2 attended the Colne Valley community forum meeting early in September where it was revealed that there is more bad news for Harefield and Denham than we feared. Harvil Road will take take the brunt of disruption as not only will it have to be realigned but there is likely to be a construction site plus a possible 100m x 100m electricity substation to be added into the plans. There's no let up for HOAC, with Dews Lane having to be widened for construction equipment meaning the likely loss of more properties there. The possibility of tunnelling under the Colne Valley, to avoid the devastation the viaduct would cause, was completely ruled out and we were informed that the viaduct itself would be moved closer towards Harefield and further into it's SSSI (sites of special scientific interest) putting it more at risk.
Denham will have the shock of a 4 track overground section of the Heathrow Spur crossing Tilehouse Lane with a tunnel portal at Wyatts Covert to deal with.
After all these bombshells, Ruislip Against HS2 were braced for similar revelations at our forum meeting last week.Sadly HS2Ltd were not prepared to share very much new information with us and the majority of the meeting was spent with junior and inexperienced staff, telling us how little they "know".
Perhaps because Ray Puddifoot,Leader of Hillingdon Council and MP John Randall were present, there was a reluctance to reveal the true details of what we are to face in Ruislip
We were at least given an insight into the joys of tunnelling, with some pretty graphics! We were promised some new maps but they have not materialised so in the meantime you can view the video and see what we have been given HERE. We have demanded more information and await a meeting date to discuss the impact of the Heathrow Spurs on extending the tunnel from West Ruislip through Ickenham. We will of course share any new details, if and when we manage to prise them out of these so called experts!
As you may recall last year, there was a public consultation on HS2. Many of you will have submitted a response.The Government has had to admit that over 1100 responses were "accidentally" lost, left out or not analysed. This is bad enough, but when you read the list of responses that this referred to, it becomes an outrage. They range from MPs, Councillors, Wildlife and Countryside groups, Resident Associations to Stop HS2! Even the personal response from the Chair of Hillingdon Against HS2 was left out...It gets worse. HS2 Ltd and The Department for Transport have been nominated for an award for "Analysis of information" - quite incredible!
We are sure there is more evidence to show the consultation was not run fairly. If you made a response,please check that it was counted by contacting HS2Ltd on hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk or telephone 020 7944 4908.
Please let us know if your consultation response was omitted - it will help us add more evidence into the Judicial Review which comes to court in December.
As if the Department for Transport wasn't embarrassed enough,the big news this week has been the fiasco concerning the West Coast Main Line franchise. Hillingdon Against HS2,have been arguing for two years that the credibility of the methodology used to calculate the economic case for HS2, should be called into question. These latest mistakes by the DFT should give us more of a chance to be listened to. Now that the media and parliament are starting to take notice, you can help! In order to keep this issue highlighted and to add to the pressure to cancel HS2, please write to your MP to tell them what you think.To make this easy for you, we have put together a template letter, which you can of course personalise. See the attachment at the end of this newsletter or download from our website. Click here for the attached letter.
The best way to keep up with all our news is to join us on Facebook for daily updates or by visiting our website www.hillingdon-against-hs2.com and following us on Twitter @HillingdonAHS2
Once again, many thanks for your continued interest and support,
Ruislip and Hillingdon Against HS2
Added 11/11/2012
Sainsbury's South Ruislip Expansion Plans
Sainsbury's have updated their expansion plans for the South Ruislip store, as we suspected, planning to build a multistory unit, with car parking on the ground floor and the expanded store above. Further details can be found at their website. As promised, the SRRA will monitor and feedback as part of this process and take residents views on board.
22/09/2012
Sainsbury's South Ruislip Expansion Plans
Sainsbury's are planning to expand, 'It will be BETTER & PROVIDE MORE', and are undergoing public consultation at the store with their professional team on Friday 21st Sept between 10am and 6pm, and Saturday 22nd Sept between 10am and 4pm. They have leafleted local residents, but have not yet detailed the plans. Further details can be found at their website after 21st Sept.
The SRRA will monitor and feedback as part of this process and take residents views on board.
13/09/2012
RAF Northolt Olympic Role
RAF Northolt have briefed us on their role during the Olympics. Linked is a word document which details the planes and the bases role at this time.
We also have a data sheet on the Typhoon's which will operate from Northolt over this period.
04/05/2012
