HS2 in Hillingdon | High Speed 2 - HS2 have introduced a new, user-friendly interactive map to the HS2 website, making it easier and simpler for you to find out what current and upcoming works they are carrying out in the Hillingdon area. The new In your area map brings all of the work notifications together on one page, making it easier for you to navigate and ensure you are kept up-to-date on the work HS2 are doing to deliver the new railway. There is also a text only view, which allows you to view the information in a table and filter results for each area.
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I continue to work with local MPs, Hillingdon Council, Hillingdon HS2 Residents Support Group and other local residents to maximise the benefits of the project whilst also ensuring the local impact is minimised and mitigated against.
I fully appreciate that this is a contentious and divisive project and that the decision to proceed with construction will disappoint some of my constituents. I absolutely understand the level of concern locally across Hillingdon Borough. Throughout my time both as Mayor of London and as the local MP I have been campaigning hard along with the local council for further mitigation for the area. When I first visited Ruislip in 2012 to talk with residents and see the impact on South Ruislip and Manor wards and in particular the back gardens of Roundways, Lawn Close and Herlwyn Avenue, I was left in no doubt that the only successful resolution for our area was a tunnel and I was delighted to negotiate this solution for Uxbridge and South Ruislip as Mayor. In 2017 the London Borough of Hillingdon entered an agreement with the Secretary of State for Transport and HS2 Ltd to deliver a number of additional mitigation measures. These will be of great benefit to Hillingdon and improve air quality, reduce potential congestion on our local roads and ensure the long-term future of the HOAC facilities. My focus now is to ensure that HS2 Ltd keeps to these legal commitments to mitigate the impact of the construction – including on HGV traffic movements and controls.
I also recognise that there has been a breakdown of trust between residents, HS2 Ltd and its contractors. I have made it clear to HS2 Ltd that it needs to demonstrate improvements in its stakeholder engagement which so far has been unacceptable. This is something that is made explicitly clear in the Oakervee Review conclusions.
My priority during construction phase remains to ensure the views and wishes of my constituents are properly considered and where possible addressed. My office and I stand ready to assist. If constituents have any specific questions or issues relating to HS2 please do get in touch.
September 2021 Update
A number of constituents have recently been in touch with me regarding HS2 and the local water supply in Hillingdon. I can assure you that this is a matter I take incredibly seriously and have been monitoring this issue closely, as have Hillingdon Council. I recently took up some of these matters with HS2 directly. A copy of their response to me can be found below. HS2 has also responded to me about the loss of bentonite slurry near Chalfont St Peter. A copy of this response can also be found below.
HS2 Ltd have produced a FAQs document to address some of the most commonly asked questions on this topic given its importance in the local area. In August 2021, HS2 also held an online webinar on how they are protecting water quality in the local area. This webinar can be found here.
I know that HS2 Ltd has been working closely with Affinity Water for a number of years in order to ensure that high quality drinking water continues to be provided and all potential risks to the public water supply are mitigated. All mitigation measures have been subject to stringent review and approval by the Environment Agency, in its capacity as regulator of the water environment in England.
