Category Archives: Issues

Proposed changes to Vyners admissions policy

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You may well already be aware of the proposed changes to Vyners School admissions policy for year 7 admissions in 2021. If not they can be found at
https://www.vynersschool.org.uk/page/?title=Admissions&pid=110

These will give precedence to those pupils attending Ryefield school who live within 2km of Vyners over local children who live nearest to the school.

We were not informed directly of these proposed changes;  we were informed by concerned parents as were those residents in roads closest to the school. This despite the following statement on the school website that

Vyners School’s Governing Body has supported the changes to the admissions criteria subject to consultation with stakeholders.

The consultation is for the attention of:

    • parents of children in the locality of Vyners School between the ages of two and eighteen;
    • other persons in the area who in the opinion of the admission authority have an interest in the proposed arrangements;
    • all other admission authorities within the local area;
    • the local authority;
    • any adjoining neighbouring local authorities.

Our schools representative has endeavoured to arrange a meeting with the head but has been informed that no meetings will take place till after the consultation finishes on 24th January.

We therefore feel, as an Association eligible under bullet point 2 above, that this consultation has not been properly undertaken.

We are very concerned about the impact this will have not only on those children who attend Breakspear,, Glebe and Hermitage (the 3 nearest schools) but also on the village community in the potential for increased traffic and pollution among other issues.

In addition to our concerns about the detrimental impact of the proposal on local people, following a detailed review of the national admissions code, the schools adjudicator annual reports and several adjudicator judgements, we believe that the Trust’s proposals may breach the code in at least three areas:

  • No rationale or justification for the criteria have been offered – impeding stakeholder’s ability to consider whether the criteria are reasonable and fair (as they must be)
  • No tie-breaker criteria (which must be included)
  • Failure to consult on the full criteria. The approach taken by the Trust of only consulting on one criteria means stakeholders are deprived of the opportunity to comment on the cumulative impacts of the criteria as a package and suggesting supplementary new criteria, or consequential changes to existing criteria.

With these potential breaches in mind, we call on the Trust to hold a further, legally compliant consultation.

We would urge that if you share our concerns you write accordingly to the school as below

An email to: jbeater@vlt.org.uk referring to Admissions Consultation in the subject header or a written letter addressed: Admissions Consultation and sent to the school’s address.

Thank you

Community Safety Forum 25 Jan

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We have been asked to inform you about the Community Safety Forum.

It is a free event organised by one of our West Ruislip Councillors with the local Police and Hillingdon Neighbourhood Watch who will speak on local crime prevention, particularly burglaries. This is a great opportunity for us to come to together as a community and understand what we can do to keep ourselves safe.

Date: Saturday 25th January, 2020

Time: 2pm – 4pm

(Stalls open from 1pm to 5pm)

Venue: Great Barn, Ruislip

HS2 Road closure and feedback request

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From HS2:

Weekend closure of Harvil Road

HS2 Works Notification: Weekend closure of Harvil Road, 7pm 17 January to 6am 20 January 2020

A section of Harvil Road will close at 7pm on Friday 17 January and reopen at 6am on Monday 20 January.

We have rescheduled the hoarding installation works we originally informed you about at the end of July 2019, where we will install solid hoarding along our site on Harvil Road. We will remove a section of the existing metal fencing to the south of the Chiltern railway bridge and replace it with a solid white hoarding.

We need to remove some vegetation and trees along the verge in order to access the fencing to replace it. We will also be clearing all vegetation and trees between the section of Harvil Road south of the railway bridge and the Chiltern line railway as preparation for works to build a new section of Harvil Road.

A diversion will be in place along Breakspear Road South and Breakspear Road North

for further info http://ttps://hs2inhillingdon.commonplace.is/news/2020/01/03/hs2-works-notification:-weekend-closure-of-harvil-road,-7pm-17-january-to-6am-20-january-2020

Survey on design elements

Common Design Elements are parts of the railway with a standardised appearance which will give it a recognisable look and make it more efficient to build. They include frequently used structures, such as bridge piers and parapets, as well as lineside noise barriers.

Since Parliament approved plans for the Phase One route in 2017, we’ve been developing the design of the new railway and now we need your views to help inform how we progress with the Common Design Elements.

You can view the plans on the HS2 website https://www.hs2.org.uk/documents/common-design-elements/ and download an information booklet, https://assets.hs2.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/19094747/Common-Design-Elements_digital421.pdf before completing our quick online survey. https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HS2CDEs/

The survey closes at 11pm on Thursday 30 January.

full information at
https://hs2inhillingdon.commonplace.is/news/2020/01/02/hs2-design-engagement:-have-your-say-on-hs2’s-common-design-elements

 

HS2 Electricity Works at Ruislip Golf Course

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UPDATE: UK Power Network works at Ruislip Golf Course

Posted on Dec 16th 2019 by HS2 in Hillingdon

UK Power Networks (UKPN) run the electricity network delivering power in London and the South East. They are currently working on the proposed new connection to the electricity network between Harrow and West Ruislip to power the HS2 tunnel boring machine.

To complete this phase of the work by the end of the year, UKPN are working extended hours during December (excluding the Christmas period) as follows:

Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Saturdays and Sundays 9am to 5pm

For further information, please click here to read their notice.

https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/hs2inhillingdon/HS2%20-Private%20Land%20Works%20-%20Letter%20Drop%2002%20GM.pdf

HS2 Planned Works

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Update on gas main diversion works in Harefield – Posted on Dec 13th 2019 by HS2 in Hillingdon

Work has been underway to move two gas pipelines in the Harefield area, to facilitate HS2’s construction and to continue to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply to the area.
Cadent has now successfully completed the diversion for the first of these pipelines, and has ceased work over winter.

Cadent will need to return to the northern site off Harvil Road next year to complete the second diversion.

We don’t yet have the details for when this work will be carried out, but we’ll make sure people are aware in advance.

In the meantime, you may see other work being carried out on behalf of HS2 around Harvil Road. For more information:
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/hs2inhillingdon/Update%20on%20Cadent%20Gas%20works%20in%20Harefield%20FINAL.pdf

HS2 Works Notification: Utility Surveys and Ground Investigations in the Colne Valley, January to July 2020 – Posted on Dec 13th 2019 by HS2 in Hillingdon

As part of the preparation works for the construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct we will be continuing to carry out some initial works in your area which will help us develop our plans for construction.

Ground Investigations
These works will be taking place on sites using existing access routes off Moorhall Road, Harvil Road and Dews Lane. Some locations in Korda Lake and in Savay Lake will be conducted from floating pontoons. We will be working extended hours on the lakes, Monday to Sunday 7am to 7pm.
To provide enough room for our equipment to access the areas where we will be working, we will have to carry out tree removal, clearance of shrubs and other low-lying vegetation in the vicinity of the works.

Utility Surveys next to Moorhall Road
We also need to conduct a survey of the utility services that run through this area. This will be done by hand-excavators to protect the services. We will be working next to Moorhall Road with protection barriers for the safety of our staff. There will be no road or lane closures.
For more information:
https://s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-assets/hs2inhillingdon/Align%20GI%20Survey%20January%20to%20July%2020%20Final.pdf

HS2 Works Notification: Utility Surveys and Ground Investigations in Ruislip area, January 2020 – Posted on Dec 13th 2019 by HS2 in Hillingdon

As part of the preparation works for the construction of HS2 we will be continuing to carry out some initial works in your area which will help us develop our plans for construction.

Ground Investigations

HS2 will be carrying out ground investigations work next to the railway line in Ruislip in three locations from early January 2020.

This involves drilling down to retrieve a small core of the ground. To do this we use drilling rigs which are small enough to be towed by an off-road vehicle.

The first site will be in Ruislip Rugby Club, from 6 January for up to four weeks.

The second site will be in Bridgewater Road Recreation Ground from 20 January for up to four weeks. This is a change of date from a previous notice.

The third site will be West Ruislip Car Park from 6 January for up to four weeks.

Further details can be found in the attached notifications:

Utility Surveys

We also need to conduct surveys of the utility services in the Ruislip area across five locations.

Scanning equipment will be used to create a map of the utility services below ground and they will be marked using biodegradable spray paint. We will use cameras to take site photos of the work completed.

The first site will be in Bridgewater Road, South Ruislip from 6 January.

The second site will be on Long Lane and station Approach from 6 January.

The third site will be on Ickenham Road from 6 January.

The forth site will be in the Great Central Avenue area from 6 January.

The fifth site will be in the West End Road area from 6 January.

All of these locations will last for a short period of time for short periods across a three month period.

Further details can be found in the attached notifications:

 

Colne Valley Viaduct – design consultation

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HS2, via its contractor ALIGN, has submitted a planning application for the design of the Colne Valley viaduct. The details are available to be viewed on the London Borough of Hillingdon website:

https://planning.hillingdon.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=74320/APP/2019/3187&from=planningSearch

Because of the HS2 Act the council has limited powers but there is a public consultation which ends 6 December and the Council would like your comments, even a simple yes or no to the proposed design.

You can enter your comments on the website using the link above.

As the proposed 3.4 Km viaduct crosses into South Bucks a similar exercise is taking place there.

The Colne Valley’s environment is important to us all; it is a source of drinking water and provides a major recreational area for all our communities. The viaduct with its 52 piers will be highly visible and crosses the Mid Colne Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Wildlife Sites, Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve, River Colne, Long Lake, Korda Lake, Savay Lake, the Grand Union Canal, Harefield No. 2 Lake and a Local Nature Reserve and ancient woodland to the north.

The HS2 Select Committee, during our petitioning at parliament, stated that … the Colne Valley viaduct will be the most significant visible engineering feature of the HS2 Phase One route… It will have international significance and its design should reflect that…

There is an immense amount of detail in the application but many aspects of construction and mitigation will be subject to later applications. The computer-generated images provide highly idealised views but it is very difficult to visualise its overall impact; such structures also deteriorate with weather and vandalism. The questions you may wish to consider are:

  • Do the plans give a good visual representation of how the viaduct will fit in with the local landscape of the Colne Valley?
  • Does the concrete design achieve the aim of having have international significance (i.e. looking architecturally good and aesthetic)?
  • What will the impact be on walkers and other users of the park?
  • How well do you think the design will stand up to the ravages of time?
  • How well will the design resist graffiti and vandalism?

Thank you in advance and please feel free to forward a link to this page:

https://ickenhamresidents.co.uk/2019/11/14/colne-valley-viaduct-design-consultation/

The more objections the better.

 

New laws for drones above 250g

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If you are responsible for, or fly, a drone that weighs more than 250g (just over eight ounces), you will now have to register or face a fine of up to £1000 under new CAA regulations. Specifically:

  • anyone who will fly must pass a theory test to get a flyer ID
  • the person that’s responsible for the drone or model aircraft must register to get an operator ID

Children and adults wanting to fly the gadgets from November 30, 2019, will have to take the test to show they can do so “safely and legally”.

More information here: https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/

 

Give your opinions on RAF Northolt airspace planning

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From the station commander:

ROYAL AIR FORCE NORTHOLT AIRSPACE CHANGE PROPOSAL

INVITATION TO STAGE 2 DROP-IN SESSION

Royal Air Force Northolt is currently undertaking an Airspace Change Proposal that it is required to draw up as part of the Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy (CAP1711). The proposal is being conducted in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority’s ‘CAP 1616’, which sets out the regulatory process for changing airspace design.

I am pleased to inform you that RAF Northolt successfully completed Stage 1 of the CAP 1616 process in July 2019, whereby the Civil Aviation Authority approved the design principles that will be used to guide the Airspace Change Proposal. RAF Northolt is now at Stage 2 of the process, where it will develop all of the possible design options for its airspace and appraise each option to understand the impact, both positive and negative.

As part of Stage 2, we will continue our engagement with those stakeholders who may be affected by any proposed flightpath changes. I would therefore like to invite you or a representative to attend one of our ‘drop in’ sessions at RAF Northolt. The sessions will be held on Tuesday 19 November 2019 from 1500-2000 and Monday 25 November 2019 from 0900-1400.

During the drop-in session, we will explain the work that has been conducted to date as part of Stage 2A: Options Development and seek feedback on the methodology we have used to develop our design options. At this stage I must stress that we have not produced potential flight paths or identified preferred routes. We have purely drawn up all the possible design options that align with our Statement of Need and design principles, that will be appraised as part of Stage 2B: Options Appraisal.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our drop-in sessions.

This gives the location:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5588281,-0.4098322,17z

There is very little parking at the venue. it would be preferable to take the Central Line to Ruislip Gardens and walk down.

If you do drive, please note there is a one way system (signposted).

Keep your vehicles safe

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Tips from Met Police via OWL:

Key messages

General advice

  • Fit theft resistant number plate fittings – stolen number plates are commonly used to hide the identity of stolen vehicles. Use one way clutch head screws and adhesive to secure the plate.
  • When out and about – try to park your vehicle in a Park Mark approved car park which has an approved security standard, or if not, park in an area that is overlooked and well lit
  • Thieves are using sophisticated methods to steal vehicles with electronic keys – a scanner is used to locate the signal from the key. To prevent this, always keep the electronic key in a security pouch when not in use.
  • Fitting locking wheel nuts will reduce the likelihood of wheels and tyres being stolen.

Cars and vans

  • Leaving items on show is an invitation – power leads, SatNavs and mounts, stereo front panels, coins, sunglasses, tools, clothing and bags should be removed from the vehicle or placed out of sight.
  • Keys and ignition fobs should kept safe and out of sight and reach – the most common ways to steal a car or van is to take the keys or ignition fob, either when left in the vehicle or from your home through burglary. Try not to keep your keys in an obvious place such as the hallway or kitchen.
  • Always lock and close the windows of your vehicle when unattended – on the drive, the petrol station forecourt or when parking an unlocked vehicle is the easiest to steal or steal from.
  • Fit an alarm or immobiliser if your vehicle does not have one.
  • Set the steering wheel lock if your vehicle is fitted with one. If not, use a bar type steering lock each time you leave your vehicle.
  • Also consider using a gear stick lock.

Motorcycles and mopeds

  • Keep your motorcycle or moped in a garage, shed or designated bike store at home – storing it out of view is one of the best ways to prevent opportunist theft. Consider fitting a garage or shed alarm.
  • Fit an alarm, immobiliser, preferably with tracking capability and property mark any panels – alarms act as a deterrent. Tracking devices and property marking assist in recovery should your motorcycle or moped be stolen.
  • Lock the rear wheel to an immovable object or ground anchor and use a disk lock on the front wheel – making the vehicle less of any easy option will reduce the chances of it being targeted. Combine the use of a disk lock on the front wheel and a chain lock to a ground anchor.
  • Don’t rely on the steering lock – standard steering locks are easily defeated and your bike can always be lifted into a van if not secured.
  • Use a bike cover – covers are another hassle for an opportunist thief, if they cannot see what moped or motorcycle it is they are less likely to target it.

Caravans and trailers

  • Fit physical security and a caravan cover – fit a combination of hitch lock anti-theft device, wheel clamp and ground anchor, a physical barrier to theft is always a clear deterrent. Using a caravan cover and installing an alarm makes any theft more difficult and your caravan less attractive to thieves.
  • Register, record and property mark all parts of the caravan or trailer – register your caravan or trailer with the Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRIS) and use overt and covert chips to mark it. If stolen, it may have its number plates, chassis, frame or CRIS numbers removed. Take photos, including specific fittings, marks or damage as these can help to identify your caravan or trailer.
  • Install an alarm and tracking system, including roof marking – if stolen, being able to track and identify your caravan or trailer is vital. Add clear roof markings, giving the year of manufacture and CRIS number, to assist police identifying your caravan. (2014 – CRIS SGBS000BYA1234567).

Goods vehicles and lorries

  • Lock it, remove it, alarm it – when leaving your vehicle unattended, first remove valuable items and cash from view, lock it and take the keys with you or leave in a secure drawer or office at work. Overnight, remove tools from vans or if parking up with an empty trailer, leave the doors open. Always set the vehicle alarm and keep fuel tanks locked.
  • Plan journeys, have an itinerary, no hitch hikers – have a route planned, including lay-overs, so someone else knows where you are due to be. Where possible use safe lorry parks or park where visible to passing traffic. Avoid insecure locations like remote laybys and quiet industrial estates. Do not pick up strangers as you have no idea what their intentions are.
  • Lock your vehicle and check it – even when on the move, making deliveries or refuelling, keep you vehicle locked and the keys with you. Before you start off again, visually inspect your vehicle, has anything changed, if so why.

More HS2 works and events

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from HS2

Handover to main works contractor
We wrote to you in September regarding the closure of West Ruislip golf course. We are currently in the process of handover to our main works contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCSJV). Initially there will be very little change in the activity that you will see, however, as we move further into the autumn and then winter months there will be a change in the focus of activity, and an expansion of the works area, which in turn will lead to a change and growth in the hoarding line. We appreciate that all the footpaths and rights of way are important to you and we will endeavour to keep as many footpaths open as we can. Some will need to be diverted to ensure both the safety of the public and to ensure the integrity of the working area. We will inform you of any of the specific footpath closures. These changes will be made very clear on the footpaths and users will be made aware prior to changes being made.

What works will be happening
Over the next three months we will begin to create an internal “haul road” which will allow us to use lorries to move materials east-to-west, north of the Chiltern line in order to reduce the number of larger vehicles on your local roads. To assist us in the creation of the haul road we will build a temporary bridge over the River Pinn. We will remove any top soil from our work areas and store it on the golf course. We will treat and test it, and all soil that can be reused will be used in the new golf course redesign once works are concluded. We will be building a small number of offices within the works area from which a small team of engineers and designers will be supervising all the works activity that will be taking place.

If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Help desk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

Duration of works

From now until spring 2020 Working hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 6pm and Saturdays, 8am to 1pm (if required) We may be on site for an hour before the start and/or end of each shift.

What to expect

These works are not expected to be noisy, however we will use noise reducing barriers when required to reduce disruption. Staff and vehicles will be accessing the worksites during the above times. They will be reminded to be mindful of residents at all times

What we will do

Provide timely updates and let you know if these dates change at hs2inhillingdon.co.uk

Other upcoming works in your area
During autumn and winter 2019, SCSJV will also be carrying out further utility surveys along the HS2 route. These surveys will inform the detailed design for the new railway. We will provide further information to residents in areas that will be affected by these surveys. Further information will also be made available at www.hs2inhillingdon.co.uk

From now until late winter there will be no increase to the hoarded area.

HS2 drop-in dates
We know that you may well have questions about the SCSJV works to be undertaken in your area. Please pop along to any of our drop-in that we hold regularly in your community, the dates of which are below:

•Monday 14 October, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, 2pm to 5pm

•Friday 25 October, Harefield Library, 2pm to 5pm

•Thursday 31 October, Committee Room at St Lawrence Church, Eastcote, 2pm to 5pm

•Monday 14 November, Ickenham Library, 2pm to 5pm

•Friday 22 November, Harefield Library, 2pm to 5pm

•Thursday 28 November, Committee Room at St Lawrence Church, Eastcote, 2pm to 5pm

•Monday 9 December, Cannon Lane Methodist Church, Pinner, 2pm to 5pm

•Thursday 12 December, Ickenham Library, 4pm to 7pm

for more info:
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/commonplace-customer-files/hs2inhillingdon/Update%20notice%20of%20Ruislip%20Golf%20Course.pdf