Around Langley readers will recall the concerns about the proposed siting of the maintenance depot for Heathrow Express trains in Langley as a consequence of the current site near Paddington becoming an interchange for HS2. Bill Birmingham has written in earlier issues about the immense frustration felt when he attended a meeting of the Parliamentary Select Committee on HS2 to make representations against the proposal, only to be told that the decision had already been made and the work would start in 2017.
On 21st April, a report of an independent investigation by Ian Bynoe on HS2 Ltd’s complaints handling and community engagement was published. His terms of reference were to review HS2 Ltd’s policies, procedures and standard operating practices for community relations, community engagement and complaints handling; and to evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of these policies, given the requirement to be "open, accountable and customer focused" in its dealings with the public.
The report is highly critical of HS2’s record on consultations, conclusions which resonate with the experience of Langley residents. However, it would seem unlikely that there will be a reconsideration of the Heathrow Express depot site.
Our MP , Fiona Mactaggart, agrees that despite the heavy criticism of HS2, they are unlikely to reopen the Langley depot issue and says, “... I would want to say thank you for all of your support in this campaign. I am disappointed that it has not succeeded, but it should not mean that we give up. I have already moved on to the next threatened project which could result in more traffic to Langley, the present plans for a rail link to Heathrow, (which is essential to reduce air pollution in our town), will require the closure of the Hollow Hill Lane underbridge. I have asked Slough Council to do another count of vehicles using this bridge, during peak hours so that I can use it to propose a change to the plans for Western Rail Access to Heathrow.”
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