Examination of Witnesses (Questions 3840
- 3859)
3840. There may be management issues to make
sure that those who may need to be proximate because they are
picking up produce as opposed to going for other reasons, going
for a meeting of some description to discuss supplies and the
like, get priority in the basement. Management methods could be
used, could they not?
(Mr Farthing) I presume they could. I am not
quite sure who would be responsible for that but presumably they
could.
3841. Mr Elvin: Thank you very much.
3842. Sir Peter Soulsby: Mr Dingemans?
3843. Mr Dingemans: Very briefly, can
we have P49, page 28.[23]
Is this the document produced by Mott MacDonald, who are the consultants
for Crossrail, served on us yesterday giving you the figure of
about half will be closed, say 330 spaces? Does that accord with
your views?
(Mr Farthing) Yes, it does.
3844. Secondly, reference has been made to the
other car parks. Are you aware of different pricing structures
at the other car parks?
(Mr Farthing) I am not aware of the pricing
structures but I am aware that the West Smithfield car park has
certain discounting arrangements for traders at the market and
those visiting the market.
3845. Mr Dingemans: Thank you very much.
3846. Sir Peter Soulsby: It strikes me
that it is now 11.32 and I understand that some refreshments are
available for us. I am sure members of the Committee are ready
for a cup of coffee in which case I intend to reconvene in ten
minutes' time.
After a short break
3847. Sir Peter Soulsby: Order, order.
Just a note for future reference, that 15 minutes is rather more
appropriate than ten! Mr Dingemans?
3848. Mr Dingemans: Can I now call Mr
Curson. This is page 14 of A44.[24]
Mr Trevor Andrew Curson, Sworn
Examined by Mr Dingemans
3849. Mr Dingemans: Can you tell the
Committee your full name?
(Mr Curson) My full name is Trevor
Andrew Curson.
3850. And what are your qualifications?
(Mr Curson) I have a Bachelor of Technology
Degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Acoustics and also a Royal
Society of Health Diploma in Air Pollution Control and a Diploma
in Dusts, Mists and Vapours.
3851. What relevant experience do you have in
relation to dust and airborne pollution?
(Mr Curson) I worked as a local authority enforcement
officer for seven years and I have been involved in a large number
of infrastructure projects for 18 years.
3852. And have you been involved in assessing
air quality controls at Smithfield?
(Mr Curson) I have, yes.
3853. Can I take the Committee to the outstanding
undertakings from the Promoter, it is A43, and it is 8 and 9 just
so that you can see what we are arguing about, as it were. And
the relevant undertaking that we are seeking is the undertaking
that: "the nominated undertaker shall not proceed with the
permitted works unless and until the following Tier 3 measures
are agreed with SMTA"—the trigger levels and the appropriate
dust control plan, and any disagreement is to be resolved by reference
to a suitable arbitrator. Can I just ask you in relation to that
proposal, what is wrong with consultation alone?
(Mr Curson) One of the concerns I have there
is that the final decision rests with the undertaker and may result
in measures which are less than appropriate for the interests
of the market traders.
3854. And have you noticed any potential areas
of concern in relation to the proposed trigger levels that have
been mentioned by the Promoter's experts?
(Mr Curson) I think there is a growing body
of evidence that suggests this setting of trigger levels at the
outset of a contract like this—and I have suggested in my
evidence what those trigger levels should be—is more appropriate
than figures which are set on the baseline. The reason for that
is that baseline levels of dust would be many times lower than
the levels we would seek to use as a trigger level.
3855. Could you explain very briefly what is
a baseline?
(Mr Curson) The baseline level of dust is the
ambient level which is there at the moment and which is satisfactorily
uprated for the market.
3856. And you have taken a trigger level from
where?
(Mr Curson) I have taken a trigger level from
my experience which I know has been used on other equivalent contracts,
including the new Arsenal Football Stadium and the construction
of the Dome Arena, and it is also a figure in the very new draft
London-wide Code of Practice.
3857. And that, as I think you made clear, is
still a draft figure in relation to other matters?
(Mr Curson) It is, yes.
3858. And that is the relevant area of dispute
between you and the experts for the Promoter; is that right?
(Mr Curson) That is correct, yes.
3859. Sir Peter Soulsby: Thank you, Mr
Dingemans.
Cross-examined by Mr Elvin
23 Crossrail Ref: P49, Petitioner Response Document
to the Petition of Smithfield Market Tenants' Association., (LONDLB-28004-028). Back
24
Committee Ref: A44, Petition of SMTA (LONDLB28005-081). Back
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