News on HS2 in Camden

Community Relations

Square One

4 Travis Street

Manchester

M1 2NY

T: 03457 114141

7 December 2016

Dear Neighbour,

Subject: 24 December to 28 December - Christmas works between Primrose Hill Tunnels & Granby Terrace

I am writing to provide information regarding the planned works near your property over the Christmas period.

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 future construction for the high speed railway.

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.

Please be aware that these works are subject to possible cancellation or rescheduling as a result of adverse weather conditions or the requirements of the operational railway. The Helpline will be kept up to date on the progress of the works and will be made aware of any unplanned or unexpected activities which may cause changes in the expected programme of works.

To deliver aspects of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan, Network Rail will also be undertaking some non-HS2 related works over this period.

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

These works are planned to take place from 22:00 on 24 December 2016 until 06:00 on 28 December 2016. Please refer to Appendix B for details of times, locations and nature of works.

We need to undertake this preparatory work in order to allow for the demolition of the west-side carriage shed (DB Cargo shed), 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.

Safety is our priority, so this work must be carried out while trains are not running and when the overhead line is isolated. 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 mid-week, during the night and at weekends. These works have been scheduled to coincide with wider railway maintenance work at Euston over the Christmas period.

We understand the inconvenience and disruption our works may cause. Unfortunately the type of equipment and machinery we have to use does mean some disturbance is unavoidable. As stated above, all work will comply with Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 with the appropriate Section 61 approvals having been issued by Camden Council.

Between 24 and 28 December 2016 we will be undertaking overhead line wire modifications, minor engineering works and surveys, managing machine movements both on and off track and removing redundant structures.

We will continue to minimise any unnecessary noise by using best practicable means. Examples of this are noise barriers where practicable, silence generators, and continuous noise monitoring. We will work closely with Camden Council to minimise the impact of the work to our lineside neighbours.

For safety reasons, it is not always possible to provide acoustic noise barriers when work at height is taking place. Installation of temporary lighting is also required to give adequate and safe lighting levels for staff working at night and during overcast weather conditions.

All staff and contractors are briefed on working responsibly in the local community. The work will be diligently supervised and we expect staff to be considerate, polite, and courteous at all times.

Some of the equipment to deliver these works is already in place on railway land by the carriage shed in area E illustrated below in Appendix A. The equipment to deliver these works will access the railway at Juniper Crescent by Chalk Farm. Most of the equipment accessing the railway will be road rail vehicles (RRVs – rail mounted diggers, small elevated platforms and a rail mounted crane), which will predominantly access/leave the railway at the beginning and end of the planned works. For some of the work, freight trains with diesel locomotives will be used to bring materials in and out of the work site.

Network Rail’s maintenance teams will, as part of our Upgrade Plan, be replacing worn track. This will involve the removal of existing track and replacing it with new materials, using trains, specialist track maintenance equipment and road rail vehicles. This work will take place between 07:00 and 19:00 on the following dates: 25 December 2016 and 26 December 2016. Network Rail will employ best practicable means to manage its activities to minimise noise and disruption.

I trust this information is helpful, and we apologise for any inconvenience these works may cause. 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 114141 .

If you have any questions about HS2 or why Network Rail is required to carry this work on behalf of HS2 Ltd, please contact the HS2 help desk on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .

Yours sincerely,

Sarah McArdle

Network Rail Community Relations Manager

View details of works (pdf)