Mike O'Brien

HSR Questions raised by Water Orton residents on 27/03/2010

1. Where can we get detailed studies of the predicted environmental impact of these  proposals, particularly with regard to the noise and vibration effects?

2. Is there any evidence from the HS1 project on the effects of HSR on Primary Schools like Water Orton in the vicinity of a HSR?

3. What is the timescale for questioning HS2 engineers about the logic behind the current proposals and any possible alternative proposals?

4. The maps show that the proposed route passes 15 metres from a Gilson resident's house; will this house be subject to a compulsory purchase order? Can we ascertain precisely which house will be CPOed?

5. Where can we access clearer maps?  

6. Can we get a copy of the WS Atkins Report?

7. Given that the main arguments for HSR concern reducing journey times between London and the North of England, is a London-Birmingham route really necessary?  Isn't the proposed Birmingham Interchange Station a waste of money?  How will travellers get from the station at Curzon Street to Birmingham City Centre?

8. How much has HS2 cost the taxpayer so far?   

9. Will compensation be available for any noise pollution created by proximity to a HSR line?

10. Is this a done deal and will these proposals be enacted regardless of the consultation?

11. Why can't we have a consultation on the full proposal for the railway to the north rather than just the London-Birmingham section?  Is this procedure designed to make HSR as a "fact on the ground" in a way which would make future challenges impossible? 

12. Under the EHS, is it proposed that claimants be compensated for 85% of the value of their house or 100% of the value before the HSR announcement?

13. Will we have a "compensation champion" for residenst or will they have to hire compensation specialists?

14. Why will the 300 year old Gilson Hall be demolished?

15. The proposed route runs right through a local resident's 100 year old fishery, how will compensation be made for the work of a family over a century?

16. How many trains will run per hour?

17. What happened at the stakeholder engagement meetings held between HS2 and North Warwickshire Borough Council and Warwickshire County Councils during the development of these proposals?  Exactly how much did the Councils' know about these plans?  If they did have prior knowledge of the plans as a result of these meetings, why were they not ready with information for local residents as soon as the proposals were published on 11^th March?

18. If this proposal goes ahead, won't the existing line between Water Orton and Birmingham become obsolete?

19. How will this route affect Attleborough Farm on Attleborough Lane? 

20. What are the details of the Environmental Impact Assessments?

21. Who will carry out the Environmental Impact Studies? Will they be independent or working for HSR?

22. What will be my options if I simply refuse to vacate my land upon the issue of a Compulsory Purchase Order?  Judicial Review only?

23. What is the business case for the London-Birmingham route?  Has a thorough Cost-Benefit analysis be carried out for this project?

24. Won't the criterion which states EHS claimants cannot have turned down an offer of 85%+ of the value of their home if they're to be eligible for the scheme simply encourage buyers to put in offers of 85%, in the knowledge that sellers will have to accept?

25. What about compensation for the current indirect affects of blight?  For example, will residents be eligible for compensation for reduced access to credit that may result from reduced house prices?  People will have to remortgage houses and the houses will be worth less.  The ability to get a second mortagage to finance a business is compromised if the property is suddenly worthless because it is to CPOed

26. Will compensation be available for the effects of construction work with sleepless nights, noise, lighting etc?

27. Will the cost of this project result in an additional cost to the Councils?

28. Shouldn't these proposals have been submitted to the Planning Infrastructure Commission for a preliminary consultation?