Agenda item

Victoria Roberts, Senior Community Engagement Manager, Phase 2a, HS2 Ltd

Members received a presentation giving an overview of how HS2 would be put in place across the Borough.

The presentation outlined the different phases of the development and included maps of the route through the Borough. In addition, improvement works were shown which included Hanchurch Junction 15 of the M6 being changed to manage the traffic flow coming through; A footbridge would be placed over the A500 and mitigation works and noise barriers would be installed. 

The Chair asked how much disruption would hit the communities across the Borough over the next 5 to 7 years and when and how would the communities be engaged with.

Members were advised that HS2 representatives were going out and about into the communities – holding regular meetings, either virtual or face to face.  At present, other than the smaller scale activities that people were being made aware of, more information events would be held to share the designs.

The Chair stated that there were two major concerns for Whitmore and Madeley; the two tunnels which required 11,000v cables to run the tunnelling machines and the routing of those cables which could be disruptive.  A request had been made to route the cables outside of any major conurbation and the Chair asked if there was any update on that.

There were no details on this at present but HS2 would inform the Committee in due course.

A question was asked regarding the status and powers of the security guards who had been seen in television footage, dressed in black with their faces covered and no ID. 

These people were part of the national enforcement team and had their faces covered for their own safety.  HS2 were always aware of who was on site at any particular time.  They had no physical powers to remove people but the police had been on site.

Regarding opportunities for local people, HS2 was asked if the stretch going through North Staffordshire would favour North Staffordshire companies in the bidding process.

The procurement process had to be open and fair to ensure the best deal for the tax payer, therefore it had to be open to everyone, not just within North Staffordshire.  However, local businesses were given all the information they needed to give them the best chance of being competitive. 

The presentation had outlined ancient woodland being replaced with new plants and vegetation. This was not replacing like for like!  Also there had been an instance where someone had tried to engage with a presentation and was prevented from going in.  In addition, was there a chance to make HS2 work for the Borough through jobs, connectivity, re-imagining of the railways locally or was it all a done deal.

In terms of the biodiversity angle, it was recognised that an ancient woodland could not be replaced as it was but a lot of the benefit, for example the soil would be translocated off the site and taken to the new sites.  Wherever possible, the take-down of ancient woodlands would be minimised.  The figures were not currently known but these would be shared at a later date.

Regarding the ability to feed into the designs, landowners would be engaged with to ensure that their insight was considered.

In relation to the groundwork charities, £5m was mentioned.  Did organisations who claimed it have to be directly affected by the work of HS2.

The total was £5m but for a local project, up to £75,000 could be applied for or there was the strategic project of over £100,000.  As part of the management of the funds, HS2 would look at what other awards had been made to ensure that they were spread out evenly across communities.

The presentation had covered the dualling of Clayton Road from Junction 15 up to Newcastle.  HS2 was asked how this would be done.

An extra lane would be put in on the side coming down to Eddie Stobarts. The Newcastle/Trentham Road would be upgraded with a signalised junction.  Also, the Blackbrook junction at the Swan with Two Necks which was a bad junction was being considered to become a signalised junction.

The Chair stated that HS2 would be asked to come back when there was anything more substantive to consider and discuss.  In addition, responses to the questions that had not been answered this evening would be circulated to Members in due course.

Resolved:     That the information be received.

Watch the debate here