Mega travel update

Please see the updates below regarding HS2 in Hillingdon over the next week and beyond. Please note the upcoming Road Closures of Harvil Road from the 30/01 and Newyears Green Lane from 31/01, but that the scheduled Night Closures on Breakspear Road South this weekend have now been postponed.

Breakspear Road South – Night Time Road Closures – CANCELLED THIS WEEKEND

The scheduled Night Time Closures of Breakspear Road South this weekend (Friday 27/01/23, Saturday 28/01/23 & Sunday 29/01/23) have been postponed.

LBH Officers have raised concerns at the amount of activities that would have been carried out under these closures this weekend and further discussion and planning will now happen between LBH & HS2/SCS to ascertain the full programme of works required at this location, and when best these works can be coordinated so that they cause as little disruption as is possible. I will keep you updated on progress in future updates.

Harvil Road Realignment Works Programme – ROAD CLOSURE IN PLACE FROM MONDAY 30/01

Background – HS2/SCS have presented details of their programme of works for the Realignment of Harvil Road due for completion by October 2023. There are a lot of works that will involve Traffic Management on the current Harvil Road in 2 areas where the new road will ‘tie-in’ with the existing road, around the Skip Lane junction (which is being rebuilt and will be incorporated into the new Realigned Harvil Road which will run over the Chiltern Railway Line on a new Bridge) and near the Dogs Trust (where HS2 Gate 2 is being relocated, and various other Utilities works are being done).

The works change over from the current phase of 4-Way Traffic Lights to a FULL ROAD CLOSURE between Shorthill Cottage and Certas Oil Depot from Monday 30/01/23 at approximately 6am. The road will then be closed for 3 weeks until the 19/02/23.

Skip Lane Phase 4

3 weeks – FULL ROAD CLOSURE – 30/01/23 to 19/02/23
Tie-ins at Shorthill Cottage & Certas Oil Depot to move traffic onto new ‘Swan Neck’ Skip Lane design

  • Existing road demolition
  • Highway & drainage construction
  • Surfacing, lining and street furniture
  • Site fencing realignment
  • Electric (SSEN) & 355mm Water crossing
    30/01/23 to 19/02/23 = FULL ROAD CLOSURE

Newyears Green Lane – ROAD CLOSURE IN PLACE FROM MONDAY 31/01

There are planned works by SSE scheduled from 31/01/23 to 06/02/23 that will close Newyears Green Lane, with the area of the closure between the LBH Civic Amenity Site and the HS2 Site (as shown on the Map below).

At the same time Harvil Road has a full road closure in place by Skip Lane junction (between 30/01 and 19/02) so this closure of Newyears Green Lane should not be as impactful as it would be if Harvil Road was fully open from the south.

Upcoming works on A40 Western Avenue

TfL have scheduled works on the A40 Western Avenue from mid-February until the end of April between Denham Roundabout and East Acton that will close parts of the road at night. There will also be some lane closures to contend with during the day (see details below):

A40 Western Avenue 13/02/2023 to 17/03/2023 (5 nights 22:00 – 05:00) installation of Narrow lanes line marking and installation of Temp VRS barrier in lane 3 – Full Directional Closure Eastbound
A40 Western Avenue 20/02/2023 to 24/02/2023 (5 nights 22:00 – 05:00) installation of Narrow lanes line marking and installation of Temp VRS barrier in lane 3 – Full Directional Closure Westbound
A40 Western Avenue 25/02/2023 to 22/04/2023 (64 days 24hours a day) VRS Replacement Lane 3 – closure back to back
A40 Western Avenue 24/04/2023 to 26/04/2023 (3 Nights 22:00 – 05:00) installation of new road line marking and removal of temporary barrier – Full Directional Closure Eastbound
A40 Western Avenue 27/04/2023 to 29/04/2023 (3 nights 22:00 – 05:00) installation of new road line marking and removal of temporary barrier – Full Directional Closure Westbound

Tunnel Boring Machines Launched from West Ruislip
HS2/SCS launched the 2nd Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) named Caroline at the West Ruislip Portal Site at the end of October 2022 (following the launch of the 1st TBM called Sushila in early October 2022). The 2 TBMs will operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week and will tunnel from West Ruislip towards Green Park Way in the London Borough of Ealing and it is expected that tunnelling works will take until June 2024 to complete.

Rail Siding Test and Segment Delivery to West Ruislip

With the TBMs now fully operational, HS2/SCS need to increase the deliveries of Tunnel Segments (the concrete ‘rings’ required by the TBMs to construct the tunnel lining as they progress) to the West Ruislip Portal Site.

There is a new Railway Siding that has now been constructed that will provide direct access from the Chiltern Line into the Segment Yard at West Ruislip so that Tunnel Segments can be directly delivered into Site by Rail rather than by road/lorry. HS2 are now ready to test the Rail Siding and plan to carry out the first tests over the next couple of weeks. If these tests are successful HS2 plan to run the train five nights each week although there may be periods when this extends to seven nights per week.

The plan will be for one train to arrive at West Ruislip each night delivering 20 rings, each comprising of 7 segments. There will be a slight overlap and HS2 will continue with lorry deliveries in the short term until they have built up a stockpile of Segments. The volume of rail traffic on the Chiltern Line through West Ruislip means that the train can only deliver Segments at night so the train will arrive at West Ruislip around 11pm. The locomotive will then divide the train into two parts and shunt them into the Siding. The locomotive will then shut down while the gantry crane unloads the Segments, and the locomotive will restart at around 6am and shunt the train back into one piece prior to departure at around 7am.

Utilities Updates:

HS2 (through its contractors SCS) is undertaking a series of essential Utilities works in advance of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) travelling from near West Ruislip Tube Station under the ground towards Old Oak Common in Acton. Any present Utilities along the route (such as gas, electricity, water and sewerage pipes) have to either be diverted or be renewed or reinforced so that the vibration from the movement of the TBM travelling underneath them will not cause breakages and damage to the existing pipework.
More info’:

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/main-site-activities-in-the-west-ruislip-area/
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/main-site-activities-in-the-breakspear-road-area/
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/main-site-activities-in-the-harvil-road-area/

Night time activity at West Ruislip

From HS2

HS2 Works Notification:

Rail segment delivery and siding test at West Ruislip Portal site

We’re writing to update you on some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

In December we told you about overnight deliveries of tunnel segments by train to the West Ruislip site.

At that time, we expected the deliveries to start from 9 January, but they are now due to start from 16 January 2023.

Please see details of the works here:

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/rail-siding-test-and-segment-delivery-to-west-ruislip-portal-site/

Our work is subject to change – for live traffic information go-to one.network and please check on-the-road signs.

We have constructed a rail siding at the West Ruislip site for these segments to be delivered by train. We are now ready to test the rail siding, which will help to ensure that our system works and to allow us to monitor noise levels.

We plan to carry out the first test on the night of Monday 16 January 2023, with a subsequent test on the night of Wednesday 18 January. If these tests are successful, we plan to run the train five nights each week although there may be periods when this extends to seven days. We will notify you of any changes before they happen.

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way. We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

How the segment delivery by train might affect you

From January 2023, these segments will be delivered by rail to our newly built siding at the West Ruislip site.

One train will arrive at West Ruislip each night delivering 20 rings, each comprising of 7 segments. There will be a slight overlap and we will continue with lorry deliveries in the short term until we have built up a stockpile of segments. That will mean 45 lorries are removed from roads in the local area.

The volume of rail traffic on the Chiltern Line, through West Ruislip, means that our train can only deliver segments at night. Our train will arrive at West Ruislip station around 11pm. The locomotive will then divide the train into two parts and shunt them into the siding. Our locomotive will then shut down while the gantry crane unloads the segments.

The locomotive will restart at around 6am, shunt the train back into one piece prior to departure at around 7am. Most of the time the trains are at our West Ruislip site they will be stationary while they are being unloaded.

During the unloading process, the locomotive engine will be shut down. It will only start up again shortly before its departure time in order to build up brake pressure.

We will ensure that adequate noise monitoring is in place. We will provide 24/7 engagement coverage via the HS2 Helpdesk to our site to ensure immediate investigation and resolution of any queries or complaints that may be made.

Possible strike action this Thursday

From TfL:

On Thursday 12 January, strike action is expected to affect Elizabeth line services. If the strike goes ahead:

• There will be no service between Paddington and Abbey Wood all day, or before 07:30 on Friday 13 January
• A Saturday service will run between Liverpool Street (National Rail platform) and Shenfield, with additional services during peak hours
• There will be a reduced service of two trains per hour each between Paddington (National Rail platform) and Heathrow T4/Reading/Maidenhead, and no service to Heathrow T5
• On Friday 13 January, east and west services will start as normal, but will run to/from Paddington and Liverpool Street National Rail platforms until approximately 07:30 when the central section of the line is expected to open. A good service is expected from 09:00 across the line

All other services will run as normal but will be busier, particularly those in central London and DLR services.

From Friday 13 January until Tuesday 28 February, Elizabeth line services could be subject to short notice changes or cancellations due to industrial action.

Plan ahead, allow more time for your journey and check before you travel.

Visit our strike page for more information: https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes

HS2 virtual one-on-ones next Monday

From HS2

Event Notification: Virtual one to ones for Hillingdon and Northolt  

We’re writing to let you know about some virtual one to one sessions we will be hosting.    

We are holding virtual one to one sessions for residents and businesses in Hillingdon and Northolt. They are an opportunity for you to ask questions about the project and the works in these areas. HS2 and their contractors would like to invite you to book an appointment. The 15-minute appointments are available on: Monday 16 January, from 4pm to 7pm

When registering, please specify your area of interest and postcode. Topics available include:
Works in your area
Highways and traffic
Noise and vibration
Utility works
Community engagement
Other (please let us know if you have other queries)

Book here: https://www.hs2.org.uk/events/49804/

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

Breakspear Road South closing date change

FROM HS2

HS2 Works Notification: Update on weekend road closure on Breakspear Road South

[ See: https://ickenhamresidents.co.uk/2023/01/04/breakspear-road-south-closing-20-23-jan/ ]

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

We wrote to you recently to let you know that we would be carrying works along Breakspear Road South, north and south of the Network Rail bridge from 20 to 23 January 2023. However, we need to reschedule these works which will now take place from 27 to 30 January 2023.

https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/weekend-road-closure-on-breakspear-road-south-2/

let’s hope they don’t overrun as Harvil Road is closed from 30th Jan!!!

Breakspear Road South closing 20-23 Jan

FROM HS2

From 20 to 23 January 2023, we will be carrying works along Breakspear Road South, north and south of the Network Rail bridge. For safety reasons, a road closure will be in place for the duration of these works.

During the road closure access will be maintained for residents and emergency services.

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way.
These activities will include:

  • concrete pour for the deck of the new bridge over Breakspear Road South. These works will be undertaken on dayshifts.
  • utility investigation works between the HS2 bridge and the Network Rail bridge. These works will be undertaken on dayshifts.
  • installation of the conveyor bridge (for the removal of tunnel excavation arisings from West Ruislip Portal to the Southern Sustainable Placement Area). These works will be undertaken on nightshifts due to the requirement of railway possessions.
  • installation of road line markings and highways signage to accommodate the new conveyor bridge spanning the public highway. These works will be undertaken on nightshifts.
  • vegetation removal to increase visibility of signage / bridge. These works will be undertaken on dayshifts.

During the road closure access will be maintained for residents and emergency services.

How these works will affect you
Breakspear Road South will be closed north and south of the Network Rail bridge, Friday 20 January from 10pm to Monday 23 January 6am.

A diversion will be in place via Swakeleys Road B467/ High Road B466/ Ickenham Road/ High Street/ Bury Street A4180/ Breakspear Road and will be clearly signposted.

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way.

We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

more info  https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/weekend-road-closure-on-breakspear-road-south/

Greenway allotments/Harvil site works

From HS2:

1 HS2 Works Notification: Thames Water Works update

We are writing to update you on the Thames Water works on the allotments near The Greenway in Ickenham.

We are progressing well with our work on the allotments, and now need to bring the new sewer into use. To ensure this work is completed by Christmas, we need to work weekends from 3 – 18 December 2022.

2 Notification
Extended hours for the construction of the TBM treatment area
We are writing to update you on our works at our Gate 1 site.

What we are doing
Works are ongoing at our Gate 1 site on Harvil Road, to build the TBM material treatment area. Some of these works will need to take place during extended working hours.
We will use this area to treat the soil that will be removed from the West Ruislip portal tunnels before it is placed in its final location.

Our preparation to build the TBM material treatment area is progressing. We will start working on the construction of the treatment area from 11 December 2022 until 28 May 2023. Some of these works will need to take place during extended working hours.

We will use this area to treat the soil that will be removed from the West Ruislip portal tunnels before it is placed in its final location.

These works will pause on 23 December 2022 and restart on 3 January 2023.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/extended-hours-for-the-construction-of-the-tbm-treatment-area/

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way.

We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Duration of works
11 December 2022 to 28 May 2023
Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm
We may be on site for an hour before the start and/or end of the shift

What to expect
Extended working hours for portions of the work
Additional staff on site outside of core hours

What we will do
Continue to monitor our working methods and minimise disruption to the local community
Advise our staff to be mindful of our neighbours

HS2 operatives’ car park at West Ruislip

From HS2

Car park construction at Ruislip Golf Course

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out at Ruislip Golf Course.

From 12 December 2022 to 28 January 2023, we will be carrying out work to construct a new car park for staff in the Ruislip Golf Course.

This has been approved by the London Borough of Hillingdon to assist with the reduction of operatives parking on local streets.

The car park will be in place throughout the duration of the construction project and will be restored as part as the golf course redesign.

We will be stripping away the topsoil and replacing it with a thin layer of stone.

These works will pause on 23 December 2022 and restart on 3 January 2023.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/car-park-construction-at-ruislip-golf-course/

We would like to apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. Every effort is being taken to ensure that these works are carried out in the least impactful way. We will ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum.

Tunnel segment deliveries to West Ruislip 24/7

from HS2

HS2 Works Notification: Update: Tunnel segment deliveries to West Ruislip 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

We’re writing to let you know about some planned works that we will be carrying out in your area.

We wrote to you recently to let you know about the launch of the newly assembled Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) at the West Ruislip Portal site.

Both TBMs have now launched and are working their way towards Greenpark Way (Ealing), which we expect them to get there in June 2024.

With the TBMs now fully operational, we need to increase the deliveries of tunnel segments to the West Ruislip site. This will mean deliveries at night as well as during the day from Thursday 10 November onwards.

For further information please see our works notification. https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/update-tunnel-segment-deliveries-to-west-ruislip-24-hours-a-day-7-days-a-week/

Duration of works
Late September 2022 to June 2024
The tunnelling and site support activities will be 24/7
Deliveries of the tunnel segments will increase to 24/7

What to expect
Increase of staff on site outside core hours
Activities associated with the tunnelling work, including removal of
excavated material, supply of materials and maintenance of tunnelling equipment

What we will do
Advise our staff to be mindful of our neighbours

Strike action this Thursday

From TfL:

Strike action is planned to take place on Thursday 10 November which will severely impact Tube services.

Customers should avoid travelling on the Tube as we expect limited or no service.

London Overground and DLR services may be subject to last-minute changes, including non-stopping at some stations shared with London Underground. All other services on the network including buses and the Elizabeth line will run but may be extremely busy.

Disruption will continue into the morning of Friday 11 November, with affected services expected to return to a normal service by mid-morning.

Visit our strike page for more information. https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/strikes?cid=email_FINAL_TFL974_Tube_strike_reminder-visit+our+strike+page

If travelling on these days, plan ahead, check before you travel and leave more time for your journey. Our Journey Planner and TfL Go app can help you plan your journey as required.

We encourage customers to take appropriate action to keep themselves safe, including wearing face coverings, if it helps you travel with confidence.