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

Slide 1

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WPAG

a group run by volunteers formed to represent the concerns of Woore Parish

• ver the impact of HS2 construction traffic

Welcome

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 2

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

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• Who are we ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• Who are we ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 3

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.

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Agenda

• What has been happening since consultation

responses ?

• What is happening now ?
• How can you help / what can you do ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

3

Agenda

• What has been happening since consultation

responses ?

• What is happening now ?
• How can you help / what can you do ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 4

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 2nd reading or petitioning.

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WPAG – actions so far

• Drew up suggested answers to consultation
• Delivered forms to every household to

encourage responses

• Group enlarged and formalised into current

group to represent the village’s interests in respect of HS2a construction traffic

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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WPAG – actions so far

• Drew up suggested answers to consultation
• Delivered forms to every household to

encourage responses

• Group enlarged and formalised into current

group to represent the village’s interests in respect of HS2a construction traffic

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 5

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!

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• Did traffic monitoring at A51 / A525 junction

Date: 10 Sep 2017 Time: 7am -7pm

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

HGV LGV Bus Car Tractor Motor Cycle Bicycle TOTAL

A51 to Stone 103 368 11 2451 29 18 10 2990 A51 to Nantwich 118 344 7 2595 21 22 10 3117 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 – Woore to Audlem 39 154 2 697 8 8 16 924 A525 – Audlem to Woore 35 172 3 946 9 11 7 1183

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• Did traffic monitoring at A51 / A525 junction

Date: 10 Sep 2017 Time: 7am -7pm

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

HGV LGV Bus Car Tractor Motor Cycle Bicycle TOTAL

A51 to Stone 103 368 11 2451 29 18 10 2990 A51 to Nantwich 118 344 7 2595 21 22 10 3117 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 – Woore to Audlem 39 154 2 697 8 8 16 924 A525 – Audlem to Woore 35 172 3 946 9 11 7 1183

Slide 6

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

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• Meeting with other groups for

? joint working / ideas

• Looking at alternative routes for construction

traffic

• Working on wording of petition to go to

Parliament

• Fund raising to cover expenses

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• Meeting with other groups for

? joint working / ideas

• Looking at alternative routes for construction

traffic

• Working on wording of petition to go to

Parliament

• Fund raising to cover expenses

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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

These are the causes of the problem

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Impacts on Woore and surrounding area

• Volumes and routes for construction traffic
• Period of disruption
• Roadway and other planned modifications

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Impacts on Woore and surrounding area

• Volumes and routes for construction traffic
• Period of disruption
• Roadway and other planned modifications

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 8

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.

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supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

A525 modifications

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supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

A525 modifications

Slide 9

These are the things we will be putting on the petition, so if you think we have missed anything let us know. Safety of pedestrians, cyclists, school children etc. already have examples of people being hit! Congestion will not only affect through traffic, it will make it very difficult to get out of our drives. Noise could affect children’s learning and air pollution people with lung problems. Businesses could suffer loss of trade and or delays. For some their viability could be affected. Children / elderly / disabled could have their outside activity curtailed. The size and number of HGV’s could cause vibration damage.

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Concerns

• Safety
• Congestion
• Noise and air pollution
• Effect on businesses
• Effect on elderly / disabled / health
• Vibration damage
• House values / saleability

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Concerns

• Safety
• Congestion
• Noise and air pollution
• Effect on businesses
• Effect on elderly / disabled / health
• Vibration damage
• House values / saleability

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 10

There is supposed to be a scheme for people whose property is “blighted” to get compensation, but experience has shown this is very difficult to get! Already mentioned loss hedgerows. Delays not only to Emergency services, but difficulty for anyone getting to surgery in Madeley or to hospital in Stoke. Of more interest to HS2 however would be the delays to their deliveries. We are covering these in much more detail in the petition document. Read on website – let us know your comments.

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• Inadequate compensation for the above
• Environmental effect of loss of species rich

hedgerow corridors

• Loss of village character
• Delays to emergency services
• Can you think of any we have missed ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• Inadequate compensation for the above
• Environmental effect of loss of species rich

hedgerow corridors

• Loss of village character
• Delays to emergency services
• Can you think of any we have missed ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 11

Longer deeper tunnel – supported by us, but may not remove ALL HGV traffic. Best option environmentally – still don’t know if it is technically possible. HS2 asked to look at it but still awaiting evidence of this being done e.g. boreholes. Costly but mitigated by less haulage costs and no viaduct. Keele Services – discounted to use Three Mile Lane to access Whitmore. ? Police not keen on lots of lorries accessing due to accident blackspot.

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Alternatives

• Longer deeper tunnel
• Access through Keele Services
• A531 and haul routes

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Alternatives

• Longer deeper tunnel
• Access through Keele Services
• A531 and haul routes

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 12

A531 Access already at Wrinehill Hall. Could take some traffic off A525 for compounds east of Madeley and although not our area, could solve use of Checkley Lane and Wybunbury and Wrinehill Road which are RIDICULOUS!

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Proximity of A531 to sites

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Proximity of A531 to sites

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 13

Yarnfield’s plans are for a permanent site in the area, ours are only for temporary sidings for the duration of construction. The old Madeley Chord and Silverdale tracks still exist and could be used to deliver materials to the site by rail from the main line, especially overnight when the line operates well below capacity. This would not only take most of traffic off roads, apart from a few months for the initial set up, but would make deliveries much more reliable for HS2 themselves.

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• Use of West Coast Mainline (WCML) via

“Madeley Chord”

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• Use of West Coast Mainline (WCML) via

“Madeley Chord”

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 14

If you have any suggestions prefer some details / technical input if possible! But we welcome them anyway.

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• Do you have any other suggestions ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• Do you have any other suggestions ?

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 15

The second reading is still not scheduled, but now not expected until the end of January. The petitioning period will begin as soon as the second reading has ended and will be no less than 25 days, but may be a few more. This period is therefore likely to be during February. Petitions must be deposited during this period. They will not be accepted before or after. You will be able to submit a petition online through the HOC website, by post, email or in person and we would encourage anyone specifically affected whose general issues we may not cover in detail (eg businesses) to submit their own petition. (We can help) The cost is £20. The documents are on the website or we can provide hard copy if required. The form is very simple. We will of course be submitting our own petition on your behalf, a draught of which will appear on

• ur website for you to comment on. As you cannot mention anything later which was not in the

written petition, it is important for you to let us know if you think we have missed anything as soon as possible. The Parish Council will also be submitting a petition on your behalf using much of the information we have gathered. Following this, the select committee will start hearing evidence from petitioners in the HOC. If the pattern follows phase 1, they will start from the south and work north, so we should have time to refine our evidence and alternative solutions before we are called. If anyone has anything we could use in evidence e.g. photos, figures, witness statement etc. let us know. You can be represented by a barrister, but we are unlikely to be able to afford that and it is perfectly acceptable to do it yourself, so if anyone is good at public speaking! ... You do not have to appear. You can just send the written petition. Individuals are very unlikely to be called but groups are likely to. The whole process from 1st reading is repeated in the Lords and you can petition again if you wish with the same or different issues. You have to pay the £20 again.

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Petitioning

• Need to mention anything you want to

include / discuss in OUTLINE

• Likely to need to deposit in February (approx

25 days from 2nd reading)

• Can be called to the select committee where

you can give more DETAIL and provide supporting EVIDENCE

• Likely to have a bit longer to develop this

before hearing

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Petitioning

• Need to mention anything you want to

include / discuss in OUTLINE

• Likely to need to deposit in February (approx

25 days from 2nd reading)

• Can be called to the select committee where

you can give more DETAIL and provide supporting EVIDENCE

• Likely to have a bit longer to develop this

before hearing

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

We can only broadly represent everyone, so if you feel you have a specific issue e.g. business viability we would encourage you to do your own specific petition (we can help). However, we are not sure whether it is a good idea to bombard HOC with individual petitions unless you have a more specific issue or not. It may reinforce our concerns or they may become bored with too much

• repetition. The select committees are different to the consultation where a firm was employed to

number crunch! They consist of MP’s who have no connection with the railway or the area. If you want to send your own petition, you can see what we have written and adapt it, or we can help you individually. We will probably run some drop in sessions / workshops for this.

Slide 16

As we are not an “official body” we think we may need some evidence that we represent everyone, not just ourselves, hence the signing sheets. There will be some left in the shop for anyone unable to come to the meeting, to sign if they wish. Your MP is obliged to ask questions you send so we can raise the profile of our concerns this way. Please look at the other information available on this website and contact us if you require any more help.

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What can you do to help

• Sign sheets on way out to say you support us

representing the Parish

• Send questions to Owen Paterson to be

asked at the second reading

• Put in your own petition if you wish
• Visit the website for more details and updates
• Support our fundraising
• Give us your ideas

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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What can you do to help

• Sign sheets on way out to say you support us

representing the Parish

• Send questions to Owen Paterson to be

asked at the second reading

• Put in your own petition if you wish
• Visit the website for more details and updates
• Support our fundraising
• Give us your ideas

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 17

Please do keep in touch with us in any way  to comment  give us your ideas  any evidence we can use  any help you can offer

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• But most importantly, we need some technical

help – if you or anyone you know has any skills we would be keen to hear, especially (but not restricted to !)

• Engineering, especially road, rail or tunnelling
• Railway traffic movement
• Traffic, noise or air pollution monitoring
• Health and safety

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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• But most importantly, we need some technical

help – if you or anyone you know has any skills we would be keen to hear, especially (but not restricted to !)

• Engineering, especially road, rail or tunnelling
• Railway traffic movement
• Traffic, noise or air pollution monitoring
• Health and safety

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

Slide 18

Parish Council - letters and documents involving PC, MP and Parishioners and HS2 HS2 - has all the official documents (look for phase 2a) and a help line phone. The parliament site has archives of petitioning documents, select committees evidence, parliamentary timetable and you can even listen to recordings / podcasts of proceedings.

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Where can I get more information

• our website WPAG-online
• the Parish Council’s site – HS2 tab
• HS2 website / phone
• Parliament website

Leaflets of these and phone numbers available at the back – please take one

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic

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Where can I get more information

• our website WPAG-online
• the Parish Council’s site – HS2 tab
• HS2 website / phone
• Parliament website

Leaflets of these and phone numbers available at the back – please take one

supporting local objections to HS2 construction traffic