Camden council are encouraging the borough’s residents to take action against plans for the HS2 development, in what they believe will be 10 years of devastation to the area, with talks of a possible demonstration.
The council told members, at a public meeting last Thursday, to do all they can to get their voices heard – by writing to their local MP’s, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and even talking to the press.
Camden council are also warning HS2 bosses and residents to think about the health impact that the proposed 24 hour development work could have on those with mental illnesses, young children and the elderly, whom are most at risk.
“We are continuing to work with HS2 to ensure that health is a key consideration within the proposed development, and if required, mitigation is secured that minimises the potential negative impact upon the health impact on Camden residents impacted by HS2,” said Pat Callaghan, deputy leader of Camden Council and Cabinet Member of Public Health.
Camden has the third highest serious mental illness cases in London and the council warn that disrupted sleep because of the night-time development work, air pollution and limit to open space will seriously affect those who may be vulnerable.
“There’s an old Irish saying, ‘when you’ve got your health you’ve got everything’. Don’t let HS2 and the works that are being proposed rob us of our health, or indeed make people’s whose health is at risk unhealthier;” said Pat Callaghan.
Camden Council have predicted that HS2 plans will see 1,000 daily HGV lorry movements throughout the borough causing massive traffic gridlock and levels of pollution to rise above the already exceeded legal limits.
Cyclist Ivor Jaswon travels to Camden for work and is already affected by the amount of fog he travels through and pressures of large vehicles to get past him.
“My concern for me is the air pollution, as I am a cyclist. I cycle a lot through Regent’s Park so any addition vehicles use would be a very poor thing as its pretty bad at the moment. In the morning, the rush hour in Hampstead, there is already grid lock traffic, with an extra thousand of these vehicles that are proposed, you will magnify the problem from 20 to 50 times,” said Ivor Jaswon, 28, Barnet.
During the public meeting, the Blight problems that Camden residents are or may face were also raised. HS2 Action Alliance group believe that both HS2 bosses and the government are allegedly ignoring these issues. Several Camden residents have found problems with selling their homes after there was a 19.5% loss to house costs due to HS2 plans.
“We just did a national poll actually, last week, that shows that 52% of the public in the UK oppose HS2. So it’s not a popular project at all and not just for people on the route;” said Emma Crane, HS2 Action Alliance campaign Director.
Camden residents, Niall and Elisabeth Marriot, have lived in the borough since 2007 and worry about what will happen to the area.
“Thing thing that concerns me is the investigative interests in lobbying. I haven’t heard much of the opposite side – from HS2. All the money being spent in London could be better spent elsewhere, like the Manchester and Birmingham areas.”
Frank Dobson, MP of Holborn and St Pancras, shortly spoke at the meeting to encourage the residents to keep up the good fight, and make sure that their voices are heard.
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