News on HS2 in Camden

What are Network Rail doing?

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

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

Community drop-in

Network Rail are attending a joint community drop-in event with HS2 Ltd on 21 February 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 21 February between 5pm and 7pm at:

Old Diorama Arts Centre

201 Drummond Street

Triton Square

NW1 3FE

During these events details of the works being carried out will be shared and residents will be able to ask any questions they may have about the works their area.

HS2 enabling works - Undertrack Crossings (UTX’s) (See locations in Area E on Appendix B below)

Over the Christmas period (23-26 December) the two new undertrack crossings (UTXs) for cables near the Granby Terrace Bridge (as shown in Area E in Appendix A) were successfully installed. The area is now being monitored for settlement and should any remedial work be required to ensure the safety of the operational railway, it may take place during the night or early mornings whilst the railway is not working. Further similar work is scheduled to take place on the UTX’s during weekend night and morning possessions over the next two or three months. At present, the dates that these areas will be safe to work in are yet to be agreed with the operational railway. Similar equipment will be used to carry out the operation and the same measures will be put in place to ensure as little disturbance as possible is caused.

HS2 enabling works - new electrical substation

Works will also continue at our Barnby Street site for the construction of a new electrical substation that will eventually assist in powering London Euston Station. This work is scheduled for completion in August 2018 followed by internal fit out and the substation being brought into use post-Christmas 2018.

Works at the Barnby Street substation are progressing well with the completion of the piling works in early January. A new subcontractor, Kilnbridge, has now started work at site alongside Skanska and is beginning to breakdown the newly installed piles to enable the foundations to be built. There will also be some noise generated from general building works such as cutting steel and wood using power tools, as well as some concrete breaking where required. Multiple deliveries of materials and collections of waste from the site will continue.

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, Network Rail have scheduled these works 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, regardless of the purpose of the work being carried out. 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.

Appendix A and B are 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 our community engagement team during normal office hours. Please contact our 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.