News on HS2 in Camden

Sat 5 – Sun 6 Nov 21:00 - 12:00

Network Rail

Community Relations

Square One

4 Travis Street

Manchester

M1 2NY

T: 03457 114141

4 November 2016

Ref: EUS-NRL-CRR-PM-000890

Dear Neighbour,

Subject: Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th November - Works between Granby Terrace & Regent’s Park Road Bridge - Update

Following feedback about the lack of information in our letter distributed in October, I am writing to provide further clarity regarding elements of the previously advised works near your property.

Network Rail is required to undertake these works on behalf of High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd, in order to allow the existing railway to operate safely into Euston during the proposed future construction of the high speed railway.

HS2 is Britain’s new dedicated high-speed rail network that will run between London and Birmingham from 2026, then along a ‘Y’ shaped route to Crewe and Manchester in the West and the East Midlands, and Sheffield and Leeds in the East from 2033.

For safety reasons, some of the work required can only occur during periods when trains are not running and when the electric overhead line is isolated. This can occur mid-week and at weekends.

All works carried out by Network Rail relating to HS2 enabling works will be agreed in consultation with HS2 Ltd and Camden Council, and will comply with Section 61 Control of Pollution Act 1974. The works detailed in this letter have a Section 61 approval notice from Camden Council.

The locations affected by the works are shown in Appendix A of this letter.

When is work taking place?

Works are planned to take place on 5th and 6th November 2016. Please refer to Appendix B for details of times, locations and nature of works.

Section 61 approvals for further works up to 18th December, detailed in the original letter, are still being considered. We will write to you again regarding these works.

Why is the work taking place?

We need to undertake this preparatory work in order to allow for the demolition of the west-side carriage shed by HS2 Ltd, which is adjacent to Granby Terrace and Park Village East. The existing building currently supports vital overhead line equipment (OHLE) which allows electric trains to operate in and out of the existing Euston station. This OHLE needs to be relocated and modified with some alterations to the existing tracks to enable the continued safe operation of the railway. Construction of the new masts will require that some piling is undertaken for foundations to support these masts. Details of the methodology to be utilised for the piling works is provided below.

How will this affect me?

In order to relocate the overhead line equipment, installation of temporary lighting is required to give adequate and safe lighting levels for staff working. Our staff will work to install overhead line foundations between 21:00 on Saturday 5th and 12:00 on Sunday 6th November. As part of this work we will need to pile, using the piling methodologies detailed below

The actual piling elements of these works will take place only between 07:00 to 12:00 on Sunday 6th November.

In addition to the piling, the work will also include the use of generators, powered hand-tools, and plant machinery.

Will this be noisy?

Whilst there may be some noise, we are working closely with Camden Council to minimise the impact of the work to our lineside neighbours. All work will comply with Section 61 Control of Pollution Act 1974, with the appropriate Section 61 approvals having been issued by Camden Council prior to works being undertaken.

We will use acoustic blankets and temporary screening where practicable to keep noise to a minimum. We will have continuous noise monitoring during night time and weekend working.

The methodology chosen to install the pile foundations uses the quietest method possible. This will involve easing the pile into the ground by boring out the inside of the foundation and easing the piles into position by vibrating them until no further advance is possible. Some pile hammering will however be required to get the design finish level-set for the foundation.

Where will the machinery to undertake this work come from?

The equipment to deliver these works is already in place on Railway Land by the DB Cargo Shed in area E illustrated below in Appendix A. Most of the equipment accessing the railway will be road rail vehicles (rail mounted diggers and small elevated platforms) which will predominantly access/leave the railway at the beginning and end of the planned works.

Why undertake the work at night and at weekends?

Safety is our priority, so this work must be carried out while trains are not running. Under Network Rail’s licence conditions we are contractually obliged to work whenever possible at times that cause the least disruption to train services. Unfortunately this means carrying out a lot of our improvements during the night and at weekends.

We understand the inconvenience and disruption our works may cause. We will continue to use best practice to minimise unnecessary noise by using noise barriers, silenced generators, noise monitoring, and consulting with Camden Council. Unfortunately the type of equipment and machinery we have to use does mean some disturbance is unavoidable, however we will make every effort to minimise any unnecessary noise.

All staff and contractors are briefed on working responsibly in the local community. We expect staff to be considerate, polite, and courteous at all times.

I hope this information is helpful, and we apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause. We will shortly provide further updates to the planned works that we have already written to you about and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and understanding. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns. Please visit www.networkrail.co.uk, or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

If you have any questions about HS2 or why Network Rail is required to carry out this work on behalf of HS2 Ltd, please contact the HS2 helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquires@hs2.org.uk .

Yours sincerely,

Sarah McArdle

Network Rail Community Relations Manager

Sat 5 – Sun 6 Nov 21:00 - 12:00

Preparing foundations alongside Park Village East, between Mornington Street, Granby Terrace and Regents Park Road Bridges

Overhead line modifications.

Sun 6 Nov 07:00 - 12:00

Drilling pile foundations alongside Park Village East, between Mornington Street, Granby Terrace and Regents Park Road Bridges.