More opportunities for residents and businesses and a reduction in the impact of construction works, will be the key topics in new talks between Ealing Council and HS2, the organisation behind the new high speed railway infrastructure.
As work on the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common progresses, and wider works across the borough, the council has written a letter to HS2, outlining the need for HS2 to commit to a meaningful legacy for the borough and better address the significant disruption faced by its residents and businesses during the construction period.
HS2 has responded to say that they share the council’s goal of supporting local communities and leaving a positive impact.
What is HS2?
High Speed 2 is a major, multi-year infrastructure project to build a high-speed railway connecting London with the West Midlands and beyond. The project aims to significantly reduce travel times, improve connectivity between major cities, and boost regional economies. Running at speeds of up to 225 miles per hour, HS2 trains will offer faster and more efficient travel across the country.
Impact on residents and businesses
The construction of this new route is a huge infrastructure project for the borough. The new Old Oak Common Station will become a key transport hub in west London.
HS2 is also providing a range of jobs and skills opportunities. There are more than 150 local people already working on the project, with more jobs expected to become available in the future.
However, residents and businesses across the borough have raised concerns about noise, air pollution, road closures, and vibrations, associated with the construction.
Long-term benefits
HS2 has committed to co-develop plans with the council that will set out an approach to minimise disruptions for residents and businesses and ensure ongoing, meaningful communication takes place with all local stakeholders. The plans will also ensure HS2 delivers long-term benefits to the borough. This includes more community and environmental improvements, jobs and training initiatives, and improvements to local transport infrastructure.
Long-lasting positive legacy
Councillor Peter Mason, the leader of the council commented: “We are dedicated to ensuring that HS2 brings a lasting positive impact to Ealing by not only further enhancing our already outstanding transport options, but also bringing well, paid good jobs and apprenticeships into the borough. However, we are acutely aware that the HS2 works are causing significant disruption to their daily lives of some residents and businesses.
Our priority is to minimise these impacts and ensure that the long-term benefits of the project, such as creating good jobs and supporting local businesses, create a long-lasting positive legacy for the borough.”
Councillor Paul Driscoll, cabinet member for climate action said: “HS2 will bring incredible national travel options to the borough but we will need improvements to the transport infrastructure around the new station so that people can get to and from it easily on foot, wheelchair, bike or public transport.”
