Andrew Dismore

Barnet and Camden Labour London Assembly member Andrew Dismore AM yesterday gave evidence to the HS2 Select. Committee in the House of Commons. (Video http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/e1f3932a-7362-405a-8513-216d3ff71ecb at 17.21 hours through to 17.39)

Mr Dismore highlighted:

• HS2’s poor record of community engagement and that the assurances gained so far are only for more of the same;
• the need for community representation on the ESSRB ( Euston Strategic development board);
• the need for an effective independent complaints commissioner;
• the importance of full integration of the whole development including the existing station and Crossrail 2 integration;
• noise insulation, including the importance of   utility works becoming a trigger for noise mitigation; and compliance with all health and safety building regulations;
• traffic modelling on local residential roads, including diversionary flows, not being undertaken;
• construction materials being brought in by rail as well as spoil taken out in view of number of HS2 LGVs on the roads not engaged in spoil transportation;
• difficulties facing emergency vehicle access, and
• air quality base line monitoring not being done on residential streets

After the hearing, Mr Dismore said:

‘HS2 have so far failed to recognise that Euston is not a brownfield site, but heavily residential, and a different approach involving  respect for local people is needed. I have been involved as Assembly Member for nearly 4 years , attended many meetings and share the frustration of the local community, whose reasonable questions have met no answers. HS2 has no trust, and has been intransigent towards the community, myself, other elected representatives   and just about everyone else, too.

‘ I was grateful for the opportunity to highlight a number of points in my two petitions against the Bill, which concerns are very real for Euston residents: noise, traffic , air quality, the need to get all the work into one programme , but above all the need for the local voice to be not just heard but also listened to and acted upon. Engagement means not just dissemination of information but influence on the process, influence that so far has been lacking.

‘I hope the Select Committee will take on board the ‘asks’ I made on behalf of the community in their report to the full House of Commons, later in the year.’

 

Read a transcript of my submissions here