Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies and substitutions.

Apologies were received from Cllr Burrow.

To receive notification of any declarations of pecuniary and /or conflict of interests from Members.

Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE declared a non pecuniary interest as a Director of the Urban Growth Company which has a relationship with HS2.

To answer questions and hear deputations, if any, asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders (Item 12).

A reminder that deputations wishing to be heard shall send to the Chief Executive by 12 noon on the day before the meeting their desire to attend, a notice in writing stating the nature and object of the application or representation proposed to be made.

 Please note that the purpose of the HS2 Implementation Advisory Group does not extend to:-

·  the review of the principle of or business case for HS2

·  the merits or otherwise of HS2 related applications submitted for determination by Solihull MBC as Local Planning Authority or Local Highway Authority.

Please can you ensure that your deputation is not related to any of these issues.

There were no questions received and two deputation requests.

The Chairman asked the Committee if they wished to hear the deputation from Mr R Lloyd and the Committee agreed. Cllr D Howell introduced Mr Richard Lloyd’s deputation. Mr Lloyd asked for the Council's help with the design of the HS2 viaducts, whose importance to local residents had been recognised by the HS2 Bill Committee.  He showed pictures of Victorian structures and the HS2 proposals for Balsall Common, Curzon Street, and the Colne Valley.  He stated that the QC for HS2 Ltd had said "the community will be engaged in the emerging designs before those designs have actually been locked down" but this hadn't happened, and the community had not been asked to comment on the design.  Mr Lloyd stated the only offer for the Borough was a heavy all-concrete design, while London had been given a more elegant concept with careful shaping, fewer piers, and transparent noise barriers.  He asked the Council to urge HS2 Ltd to produce better alternatives for us, and to hold genuine consultation.

The Chairman reiterated that there had been a number of consultation events and that local residents’ views had been taken away by HS2 with another consultation event scheduled with revised plans ahead of the final submission to Solihull Council. He also stated that he was aware that dialogue about the design was ongoing, and he asked HS2 to make a formal response to Mr Lloyd in the course of time.

The Chairman asked the Committee if they wished to hear the deputation from Cllr Ken Blanch (Hampton In Arden Parish Council) and the Committee agreed. Cllr B Sleigh OBE introduced Cllr Blanch’s deputation. Cllr Blanch raised concerns in relation to the close proximity of northern junction of Diddington Lane with the A452. The concerns were in relation to the Stonebridge roundabout, the expected increase in traffic when the new interchange station is opened to the north of the A45, and the design provision for a dedicated slip for A452 northbound traffic turning west on the A45 and the impact this would have on safety. Cllr Blanch also raised a query in relation to the cross section of the Blythe viaduct deck which shows a 1.2m noise barrier to the east but a 3m high barrier to the west where the village is located.  The main noise source for trains is the wheel/rail interface and the 1.2m high barriers were deemed sufficient on HS1 even with buildings nearby.  Residents expect to hear some noise from a train and also prefer to see it rather than have it hidden, and he welcomed comment from the Committee.

The Chairman replied informing Cllr Blanch that the concerns with the Diddington Lane junction would hopefully be picked up in the Highways update and that he would ask HS2 to come back in writing relating to the design of the Blythe Viaduct as it was a technical question. 

To receive the minutes from the last meeting held on Tuesday 19^th July 2022.

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19^th July were approved as an accurate record.

To receive an update on the main programme from HS2 Ltd.

Jonathan Lord (HS2) and Andy De Bell (Balfour Beatty Vinci) presented the Main Programme Update as set out on the agenda pack. Members agreed that the flyover video was a useful addition to the update, BBV explained they use the strategic road network and public roads to access their compounds and haul routes endeavouring to minimise the use of public roads, BBV continually monitor their usage of public roads to maintain compliance, the exploration of glass panelling at the Balsall Common viaduct and the closure of public footpaths. Jonathan and Andy answered queries to the satisfaction of the Committee.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the Main Programme Update.

To receive a verbal update from SMBC Highways on matters relating to HS2.

The Head of Highway Management presented their verbal update to members which included plans for a 24/7 closure of the A452 (Southbound) by Melbicks for three weeks from the 28^thNovember, various overnight closures for works across the borough as well as an offer to meet with Hampton In Arden Parish Council and Cllr Bob Sleigh OBE to discuss Diddington Lane further. They updated the Committee on the one.network having been updated with footpath closures and concluded with an update on the Road Safety Fund monies.

RESOLVED

The committee noted the Verbal Update from SMBC Highways.

To review the Key Issues Tracker.

The Chairman advised the Committee that items 1,4 and 7 on the tracker had been dealt with in the meeting, that there was a meeting due to take place on Thursday 24^th November relating to item 2 and that there were no actions to follow up on all the remaining items.

RESOLVED

The Committee noted the Key Issues Tracker.