News on HS2 in Camden

Network Rail - Ongoing work

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

This work involves track and cable renewal/replacement and improvement works, vegetation removal and graffiti removal and the construction and modification of access points, safety barriers, drainage excavation work and managing machine movements both on and off track. Some non-intrusive survey works also need to be carried out during periods when the railway is not in operation.

Works are also continuing at the Barnby Street site for the construction of a new electrical substation that will eventually assist in powering London Euston Station. This work involves making the site ready for construction, removing all existing vegetation/structures and making a start on ‘piling’ operations for the new substation’s foundations. All operations at this location will be carried out between the hours of 08:00 & 17:00.

Piling work at this location is likely to generate some noise, but our contractors will be doing all they can to keep this to a minimum. As with all building work, there will be multiple deliveries of materials and collections of waste from the site throughout the construction period. The main building work is scheduled to be completed in May 2018 with the substation operational by the end of August 2018.

As well as work on behalf of HS2, Network Rail's local maintenance teams will continue to carry out work to maintain the operational railway in the Euston area.

Network Rail - Work over the Christmas period

Essential works will be carried out over the festive period, across night and day shifts between the Granby Terrace Bridge and the Primrose Hill Tunnels.

The programme for these works is still being finalised, and further detail, including work activity descriptions, times and dates, will be posted as soon as it becomes available.

Network Rail are also attending a joint community drop-in event with HS2 on 6 December 2017, 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 6 December between 17:00 & 19:00 at:

The Bengali Workers’ Association

Surma Community Centre

1 Robert Street

London

NW1 3JU

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 their control, work may be cancelled, postponed, rescheduled or carried out in a different area, at very short notice.

How will this affect me and will this be noisy?

Network Rail is working closely with Camden Council to reduce 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 reduced 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. Our staff are briefed to take care 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 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.

Maps and a breakdown of the works 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 uNetwork Rail 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 or email NRHS2@networkrail.co.uk

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