News on HS2 in Camden

Network Rail and their contractors will continue to prepare the way for building Britain’s new High Speed 2 (HS2) railway.

Undertrack Crossings

Over the Christmas period (23-26 December) Network Rail will be installing two new undertrack crossings (UTXs) for cables near the Granby Terrace Bridge ( as shown in Area E here ) . This will involve removing the existing track and track bed, digging the crossings, and then replacing the track and track bed as it was previously.

The work will also require the use of equipment to compress the soil and other ballast-compaction machinery, to make sure that everything is made safe ahead of running trains over the area. Every effort will be made to ensure that the work is carried out as diligently and quietly as possible. However, the nature of the operation and equipment being used is such that there may be periods when it may become more noticeable to lineside residents during the night and early morning.

To further minimise potential disturbance, material dug from the worksite will not be transported off-site and will instead be used to fill in a location at the side of the railway line in area C here . We apologise for any inconvenience these activities may cause and assure you that the work will be closely supervised and monitored to ensure that it remains compliant with all regulations and agreements.

In addition to this, some non-intrusive survey works also need to be carried out during periods when the railway is not in operation. It is not expected that these surveys would have any significant noise impacts.

To support the works Network Rail staff will be using the HS2 site compound on Harrington Street between 23 to 28 December, 24 hours a day, however this will be for pedestrian access only and no vehicles will be using the compound.

New Electrical Substation

Works will also continue at the Barnby Street site for the construction of a new electrical substation that will eventually assist in powering London Euston Station. Please note however, that these works will be paused over the Christmas period, and will start again on 2 January 2018. The worksite has been prepared for the construction and ‘Piling’ operations for the substation’s foundations have started.

Once work begins again in the new year, all operations at this location will be carried out between the hours of 08:00 and 17:00. Piling work is likely to generate some noise, but our contractors will be doing all they can to keep this to a minimum. Multiple deliveries of materials and collections of waste from the site will continue. The main building work is scheduled to be completed in May 2018 with the substation operational by the end of Christmas 2018.

In addition to HS2 related work, the local maintenance teams will continue to carry out work to maintain the operational railway in the Euston Area.

Community drop-in

Network Rail are also attending a joint community drop-in event with HS2 on 17 January 2018, during which the details of these works will be shared and residents will be able to ask any questions they may have about the works their area. This event will be held on 17 January between 5pm and 7pm at:

The St Pancras & Somers Town Living Centre

2 Ossulston Street

London

NW1 1DF

Why do Network Rail need to undertake the work?

Network Rail is undertaking these works to both maintain and improve the existing operational railway, and to prepare the way for HS2 to start being built in the Euston area.

To guarantee safety, much of this work must be carried out while trains are not running and when the overhead power line is isolated. Network Rail is contractually obliged to work whenever possible at times that cause the least disruption to train services. Unfortunately, this often means carrying out improvements mid-week between 08:00 and 18:00 hrs, during weekday night-time possessions between 21:00 and 06:45 and at weekends between 18:00 Saturday to 06:45 on the following Monday. To minimise disruption, the works are scheduled to coincide with wider railway maintenance work at Euston. It is possible, however, that as a result of operational requirements or incidents beyond our control, work may be cancelled, postponed, rescheduled or carried out in a different area, at very short notice. Non-scheduled maintenance or emergency works may also take place during the hours when there are no booked rail services.

How will this affect me and will this be noisy?

Network Rail is working closely with Camden Council to minimise the impact of these works. All works carried out by Network Rail relating to HS2 enabling works have been agreed in consultation with HS2 Ltd and Camden Council, and will comply with Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which places restrictions on noisy works.

Unnecessary noise will be minimised where possible – for instance through the use of noise barriers, silenced generators, and continuous noise monitoring. However, for safety reasons, it is not always possible to provide acoustic noise barriers when work at height is taking place or works trains and track mounted vehicles are moving within the work area, where statutory rail industry safety warnings such as train horns and vehicle alarms are mandatory. Installation of temporary lighting is also required to give adequate and safe lighting levels for staff working at night and during overcast weather conditions. Staff members have been briefed to take care to ensure that, where possible and it is safe to do so, this does not cause unnecessary light intrusion into lineside residential properties.

You will be aware that there may be a number of different tasks taking place concurrently, being carried out by different contractors. All staff and contractors are regularly briefed on working responsibly in the local community. However, should you have any complaints, observations or queries regarding the works taking place, it would greatly assist us, if possible, to be provided with any specific company identification, which may be visible on operative’s workwear or vehicles. This will enable a more timely investigation and resolution.

Further details and timings of the works are available here .

Appendix A is available here .

Who should I contact if I have further queries?

Network Rail will do all they can to ensure their work does not disrupt residents and businesses. Please do not hesitate to contact Network Rail if you have any additional questions or concerns. Please visit www.networkrail.co.uk , or telephone the 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 .

You can also email NRHS2@networkrail.co.uk. Please note that this email account is not monitored 24hrs a day, but will be picked up by the community engagement team during normal office hours. Please contact the National Helpline regarding queries during weekends or out-of-office hours.

If you have any questions about HS2 or why Network Rail is carrying out this work in preparation for HS2, please contact the HS2 helpdesk which is available 24 hours a day on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk . Please note that HS2’s email address is also only manned during normal office hours.