HS2 Mitigation Plans – Make your views known!
4th July 2013
HS2 is consulting on its draft Environmental Statement. But what’s the deal on noise, light and other issues? Plenty of room for improvement in our view, but we need public pressure to change things, so tell them what you think! DEADLINE: 11 July.
CPRE Oxfordshire’s own response to the consultation will be available on our website shortly.
However, here are some key points which you may wish to consider including in your own response:
1) Land purchase for mitigation
It is important that all the land needed for mitigation measures is available and not necessarily left to negotiation with the landowner. Compulsory purchase powers for this land should be secured by strengthening statements of the intention to screen open countryside from visual intrusion and noise.
2) Noise mitigation in rural areas
No quantitative noise standards have yet been established for tranquil rural communities and the countryside. There are no proposed measures to mitigate for noise nuisance or loss of visual amenity for those working outdoors or for the general public eg those taking part in sport and recreation in the countryside.
3) Light pollution
The environmental statement does not appear to consider this issue, particularly in relation to the three construction compounds in Oxfordshire where this could be a problem.
All the documents are available at: http://www.hs2.org.uk/draft-environmental-statement
Public consultation runs until 11 July 2013.
You can respond:
Via their website: http://hs2draftes.dialoguebydesign.net
By email: HS2draftES@dialoguebydesign.com
In writing:
FREEPOST RTEC-AJUT-GGHH
Draft Environmental Statement Consultation
PO Box 70178
London
WC1A 9HS