HS2 plan to complete major utility works on West End Road, between 25 July and 11 September 2022. These works are to strengthen and protect utilities from settlement (small movement in the ground caused by constructing the tunnels). The works will involve:
- Installing and diverting gas and water pipes
- Installing sewer lining. From 22–26 August this will be conducted overnight when sewer flows are lowest and can be managed with a tanker rather than over pumping. Lower flows also reduce the number of tankers required
- Installing a temporary haul road
- Setting up a site compound within the Sidmouth Drive car park and installing fencing to segregate our work area
Traffic along West End Road will be able to flow in both directions. However, due to the lane closure on northbound, only one lane of traffic will be able to flow at any one time.
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My priority during the construction phase has been to ensure the views and wishes of my constituents are properly considered and where possible addressed. I am pleased that HS2 has recognised the importance of West End Road for access to the schools, businesses and the wider community and listened to representations made by myself, Hillingdon Council and local residents to mitigate the impact of these necessary works as much as possible.
As such, the following proposals have been implemented:
Timing the works to start in the school holidays: HS2 have tried to complete the works in the school summer holidays, however it is the case that they do extend slightly to 11 September. HS2 have offered meetings with the surrounding schools to understand if there are additional measures that can be implemented during this period.
Extending the working hours to try and finish the works as quickly as possible: the usual core working hours for HS2 are 08.00 to 18.00 on weekdays (excluding bank holidays) and from 08.00 to 13.00 on Saturdays. In an attempt to complete the works as quickly as possible, and with agreement from Hillingdon Council, the working hours have been extended to 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:00 to 16:00 on Sunday. In addition, during the week of the 22nd – 26th of August, activity on site will be 24 hours as sewer lining activities will be conducted during the night.
Reduction in scope of works: following the trial holes that took place earlier in the year, four fewer sewer diversions are required and less extensive mitigation for the water main (monitoring chambers only). Furthermore, the construction sequence has been interrogated to reduce as much as possible the duration and working area of each phase.
Keeping West End Road open: due to the complexity of the works and the bottleneck beneath the Chiltern Mainline, it was originally proposed to close West End Road in its entirety. HS2 have revised the works to ensure the road can remain open, albeit under a lane closure.
Coordinating separate utility elements: the utility companies have agreed for the works to be coordinated with the gas and sewer works to be completed in tandem to minimise the programme duration.
Shortening the overall programme: It was initially proposed the construction programme was due to be 36 weeks. This has been shortened to 7 weeks.
As always, if constituents have any specific questions or issues relating to HS2 please do not hesitate to get in touch.
