High Speed Rail Bill Select Committee: Statement by the Chair
20 July 2015 (updated on 21 July 2015)
Statement made on 20 July 2015 by the Chair of the Committee, Mr Robert Syms MP.
[...] On the passive provisions for a spur to Heathrow, we are inclined to seek removal of these from the Bill because the Secretary of State has indicated that there is no intention to build the spur, and because of blight. We would like the Promoter to tell us whether there is any reason why references to the passive provisions—including map references in the environmental statement—should not be removed.
Following our decision on the Colne Valley tunnel, we will want to see what happens on possible construction sites in west London before we consider some other west London issues including on Denham (particularly traffic issues there), West Hyde, and Ruislip. We await the Promoter's report back in September.
The Promoter has reviewed options for noise mitigation in Culworth. We direct promotion of Option 5, for an additional noise barrier on the north side of the viaduct.