Ealing Council To Oppose High Speed Rail Link

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Public Meeting to be held this Saturday (25th June)

Ealing Council is planning to object to HS2 - the high speed rail link - which it's feared will blight the north of the borough.

Residents who have been campaigning against the proposals are concerned about the noise from the 225mph trains and likely traffic chaos at the Hanger Lane Gyratory where the east bridge would need to be replaced.

Local Conservative Councillors have spoken out against the route which they say will destroy homes in Greenford and Perivale.

Councillor Anthony Young said:

"We know what happens when there is an accident on the A40, or at the Hanger Lane Gyratory - much of West London ends up in gridlock.  If the present HS2 proposals are adopted, we shall have a similar traffic problem every day for at least 6 months, bringing misery not only for our residents but much of West London as well. 

''As local Councillors, we cannot support this route, which will cause long term and sustainable blight on residents’ quality of life.  We will therefore ask the Government to think again about the proposed route."

Now Ealing Council is planning to make a formal representation about the route:

A spokesperson said: '' "Ealing Council wishes to lodge a holding objection to the route plans and more details will be published on the council website next week. The council recognises the wider benefits of the proposal in improved connectivity, enhanced journey times and greater access to employment opportunities.

''However, at this stage, there is insufficient information primarily on the effects of the proposal at local level within the Borough. Given the sensitivity of a number of planned interfaces, until more detailed plans and assessment is undertaken, the council is unable to fully ascertain key impacts and possible acceptable mitigation within large parts of the route through the Borough."

 

A public meeting will take place at Peter Chennells Hall, in Rockware Avenue, on Saturday (25) at 7pm

Greenford Green ward councillor Jason Stacey will chair the meeting with Ealing's London Assembly Member Richard Barnes, Ealing North MP Steve Pound and cabinet member for transport councillor Bassam Mahfouz.

 

The public consultation ends on July 29, to have your say visit http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk

 

23 June 2011