We have been asked to share the information contained within this factsheet from “Stop HS2”
Category: News
HS2 works – closure of footpath
Notice of works at Dews Lane & footpath closure from HS2:
High Speed Two (HS2) is the new high speed railway for Britain. As part of the railway’s construction they are continuing preparatory works within Hillingdon.
U34 Footpath Closure
The U34 Public Right of Way is currently partially closed from Dews Lane to Harvil Road. This closure is being extended northwards to the junction with Bridleway 7 from 2nd March to June 2020. Signage will indicate the section of footpath that is closed (see attachment) and an alternative route will be available along Harvil Road and Bridleway 7 which is currently diverted across Harefield Moor. This is to ensure public safety during the works including works to modify access around
Dews Lane.
Tree planting
Further tree planting will be undertaken at the site to the north of Dews
Lane. This work is expected to be undertaken in the Spring.
Fencing work continues
Fencing works will continue on land in the vicinity of Dews Lane to
secure the area for contractors to work in a safe manner. This will
include areas of vegetation clearance, including some trees. Some of
this work will require temporary stopping of traffic on Dews Lane under
traffic control. These works will be ongoing until late May.
Archaeological work continues
They have been carrying out works to get a better understanding of any
significant archaeological remains which are in this area. Excavation of
trial trenching is almost complete in some areas and mitigation works to
protect areas of interest have commenced. This work is expected to
continue until late May.
If you have a question about HS2 or their works, please
contact HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434
or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
HS2 Design Engagement: Have your say on HS2’s Common Design Elements
HS2 would like to invite your feedback on the design of HS2’s Common Design Elements planned for the Phase One route between the West Midlands and London.
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 and download an information booklet, before completing the online survey. The survey closes at 11pm on Thursday 30 January.
To find out more and let them know your views by completing the survey, please go to www.hs2.org.uk/common-design
If you have any questions about the Common Design Elements or HS2, please contact HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Soprano Dame Emma Kirkby to be President of Harrow Choral Society
Renowned soprano Dame Emma Kirkby, famous throughout the world, is to take up the post of HCS’s President in the New Year following the retirement of the current President.
With her remarkably pure soprano voice, Dame Emma became a leading figure in the Early Music revival of the ‘70s, singing with many ensembles such as the Consort of Musicke and the Academy of Ancient Music.
Throughout a highly successful career she has sung in opera and recitals, made numerous prestigious recordings and taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
“We are honoured and excited to welcome Emma Kirkby as our President,” said choir Chair Peter Miller. “She joins a distinguished company of illustrious former presidents which includes tenor Ian Caley and conductors Sir Charles Groves and Richard Hickox.”
HCS’s next concert will be on 28th March at the Elliott Hall, Harrow Arts Centre. For more information about membership and concerts please visit www.harrowchoral.org.uk
MICHAEL SOBELL HOSPICE INPATIENT UNIT REOPENING
HUNDREDS of local people descended on Michael Sobell Hospice, Mount Vernon Hospital, on Saturday morning, to attend the grand re-opening of the Hospice Inpatient Unit (IPU) after the completion of a three-month refurbishment and redevelopment project.
The Hospice IPU, which closed due to health and safety issues 18 months ago, is now fully refurbished and will see patients from as early as the New Year.
Those attending the reopening included Mayor of Hillingdon, Cllr David Yarrow, Mayoress Mary O’Connor MBE, Chair of Michael Sobell Hospice Charity (MSHC) Trustees, Michael Breen, Steve Curry, Chief Executive of Harlington Hospice, and staff, volunteers, supporters and members of the public.
Michael Breen commented: “The community visited our Hospice this weekend and the comments by so many have been just fabulous. We are so happy that the refurbishment has been received in this way, but now the hard work really begins, which is to fundraise to ensure the future of hospice care at Michael Sobell Hospice. Together, with Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group, Michael Sobell Hospice Charity provides the funding for Harlington Hospice to provide the care for local patients.”
He added: “This is the start of a new journey for Michael Sobell Hospice Charity and the new team of trustees, and we hope the community will re-engage and support our efforts in fundraising, to keep this vital service available for everyone who may need it.”
Representatives from new service provider Harlington Hospice, were also in attendance on the day. Steve Curry, Chief Executive said: “All the feedback was great on what we have all achieved with the building, from everyone who visited on Saturday. We are looking forward to caring for patients and their families in the New Year.”
For further information about Michael Sobell Hospice Charity, visit: www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk
Help for rough sleepers
Given the current inclement weather, the following links can be used to report rough sleepers, so that they can have access to help:
https://www.streetlink.org.uk/
and
http://www.nosecondnightout.org.uk/
Meeting about Surface Water Flooding – save the date!
21st November in The Stables from 5.30pm-7pm
Meeting Update – Thank you to everyone who reported surface water flooding to Thames Water, as they will now be at this meeting. Please remember Thames Water will only interact with those directly affected they will not respond to a third party so you need to attend in person.
ERA asked for this meeting to discuss the serious situation regarding surface water flooding in the area between Bridle Road and North View including Eastcote Park Estate. The official local rainfall recorded was 38mm (28mm in 2016) but a local resident recorded 73mm (32mm in 2016) which fits with the many observations that there was much more water ‘running around’ than in 2016.
Consequently, a meeting has been organised by the council’s Flood and Water Management Officer.
Please encourage everyone affected to attend this meeting bringing with them as much detail as possible about this latest flooding event and any historical information they may have.
ERA also asked Thames Water to send a representative and they ‘will try’ but were told that their records show only a few reported cases of flooding in Eastcote and that as far as they are concerned there is very little historical evidence of flooding in Eastcote. So, if you, or anyone you know hasn’t yet reported local flooding please do so.
Heath Robinson Watercolours
A DELIGHTFUL NEW EXHIBITION AT THE HEATH ROBINSON MUSEUM UNTIL 24 NOVEMBER
A delightful exhibition of watercolours painted by the internationally known artist Heath Robinson has opened at the Heath Robinson Museum.
Heath Robinson trained as an artist at the Royal Academy Schools and always saw himself as an artist. He earned his living as an illustrator and cartoonist – he is still better known for his drawings of complicated machines for performing simple tasks – but he would spend much of the limited spare time he had either drawing or painting in watercolours. His children remembered him on holiday at the seaside, dressed in suit, collar and tie, setting up his easel on the beach or in a country lane to paint the scene before him.
When painting for pleasure he was able to indulge his love of landscape and seascape or simply experiment with light, colour and movement, adopting a much freer style, executing sensitive impressionistic watercolour sketches. Even so, although these pictures are mostly different from his commercial work, they are immediately recognisable as his.
These paintings were not exhibited during the artist’s lifetime, and this is the first exhibition devoted to them.
ABOUT THE MUSEUM
The Heath Robinson Museum, is a serious museum with a smile on its face. A permanent gallery allows visitors to explore Heath Robinson’s life and artistic development through the gallery timeline, original artworks and interactive exhibits. A further gallery holds special exhibitions which change every three months showcasing selections from the museum collection and other renowned artists and illustrators. An activity studio hosts workshops and has drop-in activities for children.
The museum, address Pinner Memorial Park, West End Lane, Pinner, HA5 1AE, is open Thursday – Sunday from 11am to 4pm and Bank Holiday Mondays. Entry to the galleries during the current exhibition is free for children up to the age of 18 and up to 25 for young people with a student card. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Access to the Activity Studio only will remain at £2 for children and free for accompanying adults.
The Museum, which has recently been accredited by the Arts Council, is run by The West House & Heath Robinson Museum Trust, a charity.
For further information visit www.heathrobinsonmuseum.org
Heath Robinson Museum, Pinner Memorial Park, West End Lane, Pinner HA5 1AE
www.facebook.com/HeathRobinsonMuseum
twitter.com/hrobinsonmuseum
The West House and Heath Robinson Museum Trust.
Registered Charity Number 1086567
Cynthia Wells (Chairman) – phone: 020 8866 8699 or email: Cynthia@heathrobinsonmuseum.org
Recent Flooding in Eastcote
It is my personal opinion that the rainfall and flooding experienced last week in Eastcote was greater than that in 2016.
The total rainfall over the area as a whole has triggered the need for the council as Lead Local Flood Authority to compile a report on the areas which flooded, what happened, what can be done to improve the situation.
To make sure that any surface water flooding you experienced is included in this report then please email the council and copy us at ERA – click here to do this
If you wish to go one step further you can fill in the online forms by following the two links below which were provided by the council. These forms will ask questions about where the water came from, what it looked like and why you think it collected where it did. Photos welcomed. It is extremely helpful in obtaining useful outcomes and in some cases funding if you report flooding because, for example, Thames Water who are the second link below only log reports received directly from those affected.
Click here to report flooding to Hillingdon Council
Click here to report flooding to Thames water
Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns
Alison Holtorp, Chairman of Eastcote Residents Association
![](https://www.eastcoteresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ezgif.com-gif-maker-3.gif)
![](https://www.eastcoteresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Designs_That_Hold_Water_Sustainable_drainage_systems_SUDS_ex-1.gif)
|
|
![](https://www.eastcoteresidents.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/FloodSchemeFER4-2018-2020.gif)
For Eastcote Wherever I may Find Her. Copyright Goggle 20021. Click on the centre of the earth to Zoom via Atlantic Ocean, the Continent, the British Isles, the South East, to Eastcote Middx
Development on Greenbelt land
The London Green Belt Council is a grouping of more than 100 organisations with a concern for the Green Belt around London.
They have asked us to encourage you to sign a petition asking Government to cease all new developments on Greenbelt and Greenfield sites across the country:
Government housing policy is forcing councils to meet aggressive house building targets. This directly causes new developments on Greenbelt & Greenfield. Many councils believe the targets are unrealistic. According to CPRE 460,000 homes are currently planned for greenbelt & greenfield sites.
Loss of greenbelt & greenfield sites for housing negatively affects the environment, releasing carbon from the land & losing that land’s ability to capture new carbon. Wildlife and plant life already under stress, are displaced & loss of green spaces has a negative effect on communities.
The petition is here