Welcome 1 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic - PDF document

Slide 1 WPAG a group run by volunteers formed to represent the concerns of Woore Parish over the impact of HS2 construction traffic Welcome 1 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 2 • Who are we ? • Who are we ? 2 2 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic The group was originally formed as a subgroup of the Parish Council, including both councillors and volunteers, and continues to work alongside the council. Its aim is to represent the interests of all residents of the parish in respect of the impact of HS2 construction traffic coming along the A51and A525 to Madeley Members speaking were: Kate Chell Gaynor Irwin Jen Griffiths Janet Roberts Other members: Kath Shaw Alan Melvin Mandy Jones Jill and Julian Clarke Julia Mitchell

Slide 3 Agenda Agenda • What has been happening since consultation • What has been happening since consultation responses ? responses ? • What is happening now ? • What is happening now ? • How can you help / what can you do ? • How can you help / what can you do ? 3 3 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic In answer to the first one, from the point of view of the government, not a lot, we are still waiting for the second reading of the bill in the commons, which will trigger the next stage. Looking at what WPAG have been doing in the meantime, especially our petition and alternatives to all the traffic coming through Woore And finally, about petitioning generally and what you can all do to help.

Slide 4 WPAG – actions so far WPAG – actions so far • Drew up suggested answers to consultation • Drew up suggested answers to consultation • Delivered forms to every household to • Delivered forms to every household to encourage responses encourage responses • Group enlarged and formalised into current • Group enlarged and formalised into current group to represent the village’s interests in group to represent the village’s interests in respect of HS2a construction traffic respect of HS2a construction traffic 4 4 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic Thanks to all for sending in their consultation forms. We clearly made a big impression. From all the responses an independent firm compiled the “Independent Assessor’s Report”. Woore was also mentioned in the executive summary at the beginning of the document. The report notes that there were a number of responses from Woore concerned that the area had “not been analysed for traffic impacts, particularly in relation to road safety, congestion and related noise, air and any structural damage caused by heavy loads”. Our area CA4 (one of five) produced the majority of replies (over 11,000) and most related to a campaign by the Woodland Trust over ancient woodland and Whitmore2Madeley Action Group postcards (which I think several people here sent in) . Total responses from the other areas were less than 200 each. However there were nearly 500 Standard responses (which we take to be the forms we all filled in), in our area. Compare that to 74/21/99/38 in the other 4 areas and you can see you made quite an impression! HS2 was recommended to look into the concerns and hot off the press they had a meeting with the Parish Council the night before to start negotiating! It remains to be seen whether this will result in acceptable changes before the 2 nd reading or petitioning.

Slide 5 • Did traffic monitoring at A51 / A525 junction • Did traffic monitoring at A51 / A525 junction Date: 10 Sep 2017 Time: 7am -7pm Date: 10 Sep 2017 Time: 7am -7pm Motor Motor HGV LGV Bus Car Tractor Bicycle TOTAL HGV LGV Bus Car Tractor Bicycle TOTAL Cycle Cycle A51 to Stone 103 368 11 2451 29 18 10 2990 A51 to Stone 103 368 11 2451 29 18 10 2990 A51 to Nantwich 118 344 7 2595 21 22 10 3117 A51 to Nantwich 118 344 7 2595 21 22 10 3117 A525 – Woore to Madeley 55 171 7 1041 7 9 4 1294 A525 – Woore to Madeley 55 171 7 1041 7 9 4 1294 A525 – Madeley to Woore 36 170 6 1108 9 11 1 1341 A525 – Madeley to Woore 36 170 6 1108 9 11 1 1341 A525 – Woore to Audlem 39 154 2 697 8 8 16 924 A525 – Woore to Audlem 39 154 2 697 8 8 16 924 A525 – Audlem to Woore 35 172 3 946 9 11 7 1183 A525 – Audlem to Woore 35 172 3 946 9 11 7 1183 5 5 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic We have only done one count so far, but the results showed far more traffic than expected. Of note were over 200 lorries and 4 ambulances. If you add to this the 300 HGV’s projected for nearly 5 years there will be about one a minute; even more in the peak period. We may do more counts to validate it if we have time and offers of help would be welcome. It would be good if we could catch a day when the M6 traffic is diverted!

Slide 6 • Meeting with other groups for • Meeting with other groups for ? joint working / ideas ? joint working / ideas • Looking at alternative routes for construction • Looking at alternative routes for construction traffic traffic • Working on wording of petition to go to • Working on wording of petition to go to Parliament Parliament • Fund raising to cover expenses • Fund raising to cover expenses 6 6 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic We have met with a few other people / groups to see if we can find common ground to fight together. We met with Fred Smith from the Whitmore group, who was focussing on the “longer deeper tunnel”, which we initially supported. Representatives from Madeley attended some of our early meetings. Their position is broadly similar and the two groups have merged. While we can support their aims, to some degree, there is no plan B if the tunnel is not approved, so we felt we still needed to have our own independent plan. We also met with Stone Railhead Crisis Group who are looking to get the permanent railhead move from Yarnfield to “Aldersey Rough”, accessed from Keele Services. This has a couple of issues. It will make the longer tunnel impossible as the HS2 line would bypass the railhead in the tunnel. It would also make permanent activity much nearer to Madeley and us – traffic, light pollution etc. This group however, had the most in depth work on their proposals and experts in tunnelling and rail movement helping them. They have had meaningful discussions with HS2 including the use of the Madeley Chord to link to the site. However HS2 apparently rejected this. We have also been looking at our own alternatives for the HGV traffic. We have been working on writing our own petition and the draft of this should soon be on the website. It will include the issues and concerns in the following slides. More on petitioning on later slide

Reasons for fund raising To cover expenses – initially paper, copying, website etc. and then to fund petition – fee and expenses for those who attend parliament. Unlikely to raise enough to hire lawyer, but may need fees for technical advice/expertise. Fund raising so far – Table Top Sale at Onneley, school Christmas Fair, sold donated items at Dagfields, Christmas hamper, Total within 1 month = £486.40 Next stage – ideas so far – Race Night, Afternoon Tea at Village Hall, Easter Hamper, Cheese and Wine night and table top sales. All ideas and help in organising welcome. Contact details on website. If every household gave just £1 we would have £600! (Donations on the night raised over £60)

Slide 7 Impacts on Woore and Impacts on Woore and surrounding area surrounding area • Volumes and routes for construction traffic • Volumes and routes for construction traffic • Period of disruption • Period of disruption • Roadway and other planned modifications • Roadway and other planned modifications 7 7 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic These are the causes of the problem

Slide 8 A525 modifications A525 modifications 8 8 supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic Pink areas are those for use by HS2. Look at amount of land at Bar Hill – how could they reinstate if cut away rock! Look all along A525. Loss of species rich hedgerow – amount - loss of connectivity while replacement matures. Alterations to Crossroads – taking away pavement safety feature outside the shop to allow huge wagons to turn. A51 – especially from Falcon to School -narrow road and pavements – currently no plans to mitigate and no room anyway.