Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford Community Forum. DRAFT Note of Issues and Actions: Community Forum Four

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1 Community Forums are intended to provide an opportunity for local representatives to raise issues of importance to them and to reach consensus on preferred mitigations for HS2 Ltd. Attendance at a Forum does not indicate support by these groups for the scheme. HS2 Ltd hosts and attends Community Forums, and has undertaken to record and publish issues, actions and requests raised during these events on their website. The matters raised by forum members are their views, and publication by HS2 Ltd should not be construed as acceptance or agreement with the sentiments expressed Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford Community Forum Tuesday 20 th November , Hints Village Hall DRAFT Note of Issues and Actions: Community Forum Four Forum Attendees: Chair - Cllr Alan White Lichfield District Council Hints with Canwell Parish Council Hints and Area Action Group Hints Village Hall School Lane Residents Swinfen and Packington Parish Council Drayton Bassett HS2 Action Group Flats Lane and Knox Grave Lane Residents Group Kings Bromley Stop HS2 Weeford residents The Woodland Trust Representative from Dan Byles MP Constituency Office Staffordshire County Council An observer from the Middleton Community Forum HS2 Ltd Representatives 1

2 HS2 Ltd (Ruth Newsum, Country North Area Stakeholder Manager) HS2 Ltd (Lee Fisher, Country North Senior Engineer) HS2 Ltd (Andrew Day, Country North Environment Manager) HS2 Ltd (Richard Nuttall, Country North Area Stakeholder Advisor) HS2 Ltd (Sally Fulcher, Consultation Training Manager) Capita Symonds (Tony Blake, Capita Symonds) Issues and key points raised Apologies received from: Staffordshire Wildlife trust, Heart of England Way, Martin Withers. Concern was raised that there had not been full circulation to all members about the meeting. HS2 Ltd confirmed that the signing in sheet was going round, which captures everyone at the meeting and their addresses. The Chair expressed frustration with HS2 Ltd regarding lack of information, lack of communication and frustration that information is drip fed. HS2 Ltd responded that it acknowledges and understands the frustration. HS2 Ltd update on design and bilateral meetings HS2 Ltd engineer presented an update on the emerging route design. There was serious general concern in the forum about the Draft Environmental Statement going ahead with the possibility of some community proposals not being incorporated within it. A question was raised that if there is not time to include any accepted community proposals in the Draft ES, could a written guarantee be given that the proposal would be in the full ES. HS2 Ltd responded that there will be reference in the Draft ES as to other proposals, options being considered, although exactly what that will look like is unclear at the present time. At the January bilaterals HS2 Ltd will be presenting the developing design and will feedback if proposals have been recommended or not. 2

3 The forum further asked about the more detailed designs that HS2 Ltd intends to share with them in January/February 2013, and whether those would be based on the January 2012 route. HS2 Ltd explained that the detailed designs would largely reflect the route published earlier that year. There was general concern that not everyone in the community would be at the January bilateral meetings or February forums and therefore would not necessarily know about the proposals being considered; if those proposals are not reflected in the Draft ES, people would be unaware of them and commenting on a misrepresentation. HS2 Ltd responded that it is hoping for recommendations on proposals to become clear by the end of the year. The forum had deep concerns about the timeline, and felt that their opportunity for engagement had been compressed into six weeks as HS2 Ltd try to meet Draft ES deadline. The forum asked if HS2 Ltd could postpone the start of Draft ES consultation to June, to give the community more time to engage beforehand. HS2 Ltd explained that engagement would be on-going and goes in parallel with the Draft ES. It was explained that the timing of the ES consultation was in the hands of the Department and Secretary of State, but it was agreed to take back concerns of the forum within HS2 Ltd. Action 60 Forum members expressed deep concern that their proposals were not being taken seriously. HS2 Ltd explained that the proposals were being looked at seriously, where they are being assessed by the same appraisal criteria as HS2 Ltd own recommendations to refine the route published in January HS2 Ltd added that they are working on the post-consultation route and on the community proposals in tandem. It was commented that the Drayton Bassett, Hints and Weeford Community forum could not be the only forum that has large proposals, and that as such these proposals should be recognised in more than a note in the Draft ES. 3

4 It was also stressed that HS2 Ltd needed to recognise that all communities will lobby any mechanism possible to get their proposals in place. Communities need to know the point at which they need to lobby HS2 Ltd or MP s or Secretary of State. The forum commented that they believed there to be a blockage in the feedback to them and that the Secretary of State should be sighted on the delay that the feedback to communities has moved from September to January HS2 Ltd Environment Manager presented an update See Presentation slides. Questions were raised by forum members about the timings of environmental surveys. Concerns were expressed by forum members that this could present a false picture of wildlife and sound levels. HS2 Ltd is asking the community to provide suggested locations of where to survey noise. HS2 Ltd will circulate a form via Action 61 Feedback from bilateral meetings Hints & Area Action Group HS2 s senior engineer expressed his opinion that the long cut and cover tunnel proposals put forward by Hints & Drayton Bassett community were very expensive relative to the number of people affected and that this was likely to outweigh the benefits provided by these structures in this area. He added that he felt that this would mean that these proposals would not be adopted into the design, a full appraisal of the options was being undertaken by HS2 and their consultants. Drayton Bassett Action Group A member from the Drayton Bassett Action Group fed back: Areas around earthworks were discussed. The extent of cutting slopes has increased. Land take in some areas has increased. 4

5 Lowering the watercourse has had some consideration. There may be some reduction in flood level. Discussed diversion of Drayton Lane. This is subject to on-going discussion Issue of Prologis development outstanding. Discussion around autotransformers how many, access, how big, land acquired, questions around security and how impacts local environment. Cross sections of designs were requested. The Group had requested the lowering of viaducts at both ends - this looked difficult to achieve, but the Group still want everything to be considered. HS2 Ltd commented that both proposals from Drayton Bassett Action Group and Hints and Area Action Group are going through an assessment process. Bilateral discussions represented a, initial impression from HS2 Ltd engineer and both the proposals will go through the full process of assessment. A comment was made by a forum member about bridges and their width, and specifically that bridges would be clear spans and that this would increase the depth of structure of bridges and road levels will be higher than people imagine they are. Capita Symonds responded that clear spans would not be the case everywhere. There could be bank seat supports but it would be most unlikely to have columns/piers between the tracks. HS2 Ltd responded that design on bridges is developing and would be an area that can be discussed further in the future. Drayton Bassett Action Group handed in a hard copy to Ruth Newsum of the document 8 NOVEMBER 2012, ADDENDUM TO HS2 Mitigation For Drayton Bassett after close of the Bilateral and advised to Dean Sargeant (SCC). Flats Lane and Knox Grave Lane Group Bilateral Feedback The Flats Lane and Knox Grave Lane Group reported back discussions had taken place around a green tunnel, demolitions and re-location. Regarding property issues there are three matters on which HS2 Ltd need to help the group: 5

6 o put all properties in the Safeguarding zone; o demolish the properties o enable the properties to be eligible for the sale and rent back scheme. The chair commented that there is a solution here available and that HS2 Ltd should talk about what s possible to the group and the county council. Swinfen & Packington Action Group Bilateral Feedback The Swinfen and Packington Action Group reported back. Issues that were discussed included a possible long bored tunnel, noise and relocation/reconstruction. The chair asked for more constructive feedback, updates after bilaterals, rather than merely repeat what has been said at the meetings. The forum requested that bad news be shared quickly, and provide both economic and engineering reasons with decisions HS2 Ltd explained new features that will appear on more detailed maps with an explanation in Jan The chair expressed concern that landscaping solutions need to be what is most effective not simply what is cheapest i.e. to allow HS2 to dump spoil more cheaply. The forum expressed concern that landscaping (trees) would not mitigate noise impacts. HS2 Ltd responded that trees act as visual screening. There will be planting along the route. We are working within HS2 Ltd to come back with our planting policy. Action 62 The forum asked why HS2 Ltd is using kilometres in presentations rather than miles. HS2 Ltd agreed to include miles on the next forum presentation as well as kilometres. Action 63 The forums further asked about balancing ponds and if many are needed on existing railway lines. HS2 Ltd responded that these are needed on HS2 to mitigate flood risk. The forum asked if a construction compound was still required next to Whittington Heath Golf course. Some members of the forum felt this is a good place but it was also noted that the landowner may not. 6

7 HS2 Ltd responded that design is still developing in relation to construction sites and a definite answer is not available yet. The current assumption is that the route is ballasted accept where tunnels Community Issues A number of issues were raised by community forum members including lack of communication with Weeford representatives. HS2 Ltd to add Weeford members to the community forum list and to arrange a bilateral meeting with representatives. Action 64 Hs2 Ltd commented that the Property Compensation consultation event in this area will be an opportunity to discuss 1 to 1 property issues. The chair expressed concern about management and oversight of works during the construction phase. He sought assurances from HS2 Ltd about how the quality of work would be maintained during construction. The chair asked that certainty be given to Lichfield District Council and the community that work completed by contractors will be carried out to a high standard and that everything is started and completed. The chair urged that if the haul roads are temporary structures they need to be temporary and not become permanent in 10 years time as has happened on West Coast Main Line project. The chair asked for more information about how the design panel will operate and what opportunities there would be for local involvement in the panel. HS2 Ltd responded that more information would be provided when it becomes available. Action 65 The forum asked for information about the Construction Code of Practice. HS2 Ltd responded that the aim was to make the draft CoCP available on the website at the end of November for information. The document will be consulted on in Draft Environmental Statement. 7

8 The forum asked for copies of the drawings HS2 Ltd agreed to or send hard copies to the members. Action 66 The forum expressed a concern that the safeguarding route could change in the future and that communities currently on the edge of safeguarding could be pulled into the Safeguarding zone. The forum asked for certainty that HS2 Ltd gets into contact with those who are on the edges and may in the future be in the Safeguarding zone. HS2 Ltd agreed to take this back. HS2 Ltd confirmed that in terms of communication leaflets have gone out to those in rural areas 500 metres either side of the line. Plus letters have gone out to those in the Safeguarding zone. A concern was expressed by the forum about the fact that people might be confused about which consultation to respond to and respond to the wrong one. If this occurs HS2 ltd should pass over their response to the correct one. The forum expressed concern over when utilities will be affected and when enabling works will happen. The level of uncertainty about these issues is causing concern in the community, it was reported. A concern was raised that that there is not enough resource in the technical team (rather than clerical) to respond to issues raised by communities. HS2 Ltd responded that resources have been increased, including bringing consultants to forums. Resources would continue to be kept under review. We have increased the team, brought consultants to forums and will continue to look at resourcing. The Forum asked that HS2 Ltd provide engineering, environmental and economic reasons for any rejection by HS2 Ltd of Communities' mitigation proposals. Action 67 8

9 The Forum asked about type of track. Lee Fisher responded track is currently assumed to be generally be sleepers and ballast but with concrete slab track in tunnels in place of sleepers and ballast, however this is not confirmed at this stage in the design. Consultations A presentation on the Property Compensation Consultation was given by HS2 Ltd. Concern was expressed by forum members about publicising the property compensation consultation to people who are on the edge of safeguarding zone and requested that this be fed back. Action 68. The forum asked whether there can be an event on 7 th January at Kings Bromley as originally planned, as well as Lichfield event. HS2 Ltd responded that they would publicise the revised Lichfield date by the end of the week and had asked the consultation team whether it would be possible to have another event on 7 th but this was not looking probable. Action 69 The forum asked that if a homeowner has permission for consent to planning, whether that person get compensation for the house and for the consent to planning.hs2 Ltd responded that in the statutory compensation regime the value of the consent to planning is recognised. A related question was asked by the forum about whether, if a property owner was holding off from developing their property as a result of a project like HS2 that might also be recognised in the statutory compensation regime. HS2 Ltd agreed to look into this. Action 70 The forum commented that the government has said that this is a generous package of measures, and on which; the opinion of HS2 Ltd on this matter was sought. HS2 Ltd responded that for those in safeguarding zone, the Draft package helps speed up the statutory measures and makes it easier or for people to stay there 9

10 longer but it doesn t change statutory payments that they would receive. In addition, the voluntary purchase zone and long term hardship scheme goes above and beyond what is required by law. The forum asked for more information about the rationale behind the distance (60m, 120m) of the area to be included in safeguarding and voluntary purchase zones. HS2 Ltd agreed to find out more information and to share this with forum members. Action 71 Feedback from the planning forum At the planning forum the following issues were discussed:- HS2 Ltd gave a similar presentation on property compensation consultation Feedback from the acoustic sub group was shared There was an update on the EIA and ES statement Future meetings the agreement was to be more topic based e.g. highways regime Possible visit to HS1 - HS2 Ltd is investigating Lack of information from HS2 Ltd and general communications issues Cost recovery Update from Neighbouring Community Forums Representatives from the Kings Bromley forum noted a similar lack of information at their forum and much resulting frustration. Representatives from the Middleton forum noted the same frustration and a lack of progress in terms of mitigation. Representatives from Middleton forum commented that they are getting a high level technical briefing on vibration that will be available to all forums. They asked whether they would receive noise contour maps in the Draft ES. HS2 Ltd responded that there will be sound maps in the Draft ES. They also discussed water courses and flooding. 10

11 A forum member reported that they were told the speed would be reduced to 180mph. The forum asked to hear more about the reduction in speed as it could mean that there could be more changes in the alignment, more curves and bends. HS2 Ltd responded that the aspiration is for a 250 mph railway. Notes and Actions The chair suggested that the notes and action were read for homework and any amendments were reported back to HS2 Ltd. Date and location of next meeting The forum requested that a different day be considered that MPs could be present. The suggestion was Thursdays/Fridays. It was agreed that this venue was suitable. Action 72 HS2 Ltd said that it would be likely that there would be bilaterals in January 2013 and the next forum meeting would take place in February Concern was expressed by the forum that Phase Two will have been announced by then and there would be a possible gap of 2 months before HS2 Ltd will come back. HS2 Ltd responded that they are thinking carefully about what engagement is needed regarding Phase Two. The forum emphasised that the February forum meeting was only worthwhile if they have more concrete information. Members stressed that want all the information, no drip feeding, all the new design and above all certainty at future meetings. Actions agreed 1. HS2 Ltd to feedback that the community forum would like the Draft Environmental Statement consultation to be delayed until all the agreed proposals and changes have been incorporated into the design Action HS2 Ltd will circulate a survey form via enabling forum members to input into noise monitoring locations Action 61 11

12 3. HS2 Ltd to provide more information at a future forum about proposed planting policy. Action HS2 Ltd to describe measurements in imperial (feet, miles) as well as metric units. Action HS2 Ltd to invite community members from Weeford to the next forum, add them to the attendance list and set-up a bilateral with them. Action HS2 ltd to bring more information on how the community can get involved in the design panel. Action HS2 Ltd to or send the community copies of the drawings Action The Forum asked that HS2 Ltd provide engineering and economic reasons for any rejection by HS2 Ltd of Communities' mitigation proposals Action HS2 Ltd will feedback concern regarding publicising to the property consultation to those who are on the edge of safeguarding zone at the moment. Action HS2 Ltd to check whether it is possible to have another consultation event on 7 th January. HS2 Ltd will publicise the revised consultation dates by the end of the week. Action HS2 Ltd to investigate whether if a property owner was delaying developing their property as a result of HS2 Ltd, whether that might be recognised in the statutory compensation regime. Action HS2 Ltd will find out the rationale behind the 60m, 120m and what depth of cutting triggers the wider corridor Action HS2 Ltd to endeavour to where possible book future forum meetings on Thursdays or Fridays Action 72 12