Examination of Witnesses (Questions 5420
- 5439)
5420. House owners in Shenfield, including ourselves,
are effectively being asked to put our lives on hold for well
in excess of seven years while Crossrail sorts itself out, negotiates
its required funding and eventually begins the work threatened.
Because of their documented intentions, they have blighted acres
of land. Thousands of householders, like us, have seen the value
of their main asset, which for many represents years of hard work
and sacrifice, substantially diminished. Absolutely no thought
has been given to the effect this will have on thousands of people
which Crossrail are inflicting their dream upon.
5421. In July 2005, we invited representatives
from Crossrail to visit us at our home in an effort to show them
how we particularly were going to be affected by the works. In
all, four employees of Crossrail visited us and spent time with
us going over the proposed words and answering our various questions,
for which we were grateful.
5422. At that time, we were assured by those
representatives that once the go-ahead for the proposed work was
given, such works would commence at Shenfield. This has now changed.
We were also advised that under no circumstances would compensation
in any way, shape or form be payable to householders like ourselves
whose property has been blighted by their intentions. This has
now changed and we are advised that the National Compensation
Code will apply. However, as stated in the information paper provided
with Crossrail's formal response document, applications can only
be made: "following the exploration of 12 months from the
opening of the works".
5423. Indeed, when we advised Crossrail's representatives
that we were attempting to sell our home and that Crossrail's
plans had a detrimental effect on the properties in Hunter Avenue,
we were told we could either (a) make an application to Crossrail
under their Hardship Policy or (b) wait until after their work
had finished to sell our property. We are sure you will agree
that we were hardly spoilt for choice. We were told that staff
at Crossrail would assist those people, like ourselves, who have
compelling reasons to move home. This has changed, as is evidenced
by our Hardship Application having been presented to the Crossrail
Discretionary Purchase Panel, is incomplete and in need of further
and better particulars.
5424. We are constantly having to tread on shifting
sands in an effort to keep up with the revisions Crossrail are
making on what appears to be a daily basis. Luckily, we were in
a position where we were able to gain access to the internet for
up-to-date information and between our family members are able
to read, digest and act upon any matters which directly affect
us. This is not the case for many residents of Hunter Avenue who
are elderly, who do not have access to the necessary information
and who do not have family support. We believe it will be vitally
important in the future for these vulnerable residents' rights
to be protected.
5425. We consider that an independent body should
be selected to undertake this task. In this regard, we have a
particular concern where in future there may be a necessity to
make claims under the National Compensation Code. Having briefly
perused the content of same within the Land Act documentation,
it would appear to be a veritable minefield where legal input
will undoubtedly be required. We are obviously concerned that
legal advice will require to be sought and, as such, legal fees
to protect our homes will be payable.
5426. Within our Petition, failing Crossrail
to purchase our property, we sought confirmation that our home,
which, as you are aware, is situated opposite Crossrail's proposed
work site at Shenfield, would receive the benefit of triple-glazing
throughout. This is to be provided in an effort to protect us
from the already stated noise and dirt intrusion which we can
expect.
5427. Crossrail's response within their formal
response document states that they will provide secondary-glazing
which we believe is inadequate, unsightly and would damage our
property. We are told by Crossrail representatives that this is
what is on offer, effectively "Take it or leave it".
Again, we requested in our Petition that we are provided with
air-conditioning units for our living accommodation within the
property. Crossrail have offered fans which will be required to
be installed via holes in our walls, which, we believe, will be
inadequate, unsightly and will damage our property. Again, we
are told by Crossrail representatives that this is what is on
offer, take it or leave it. To add insult to injury, Crossrail's
formal response document informs us that they believe this running
cost of these fans, and we quote: "... is likely to be insignificant".
We would respectfully suggest that they have not looked into the
actual running costs and these will certainly not be insignificant.
5428. It also has to be borne in mind that,
as previously stated, many of the Hunter Avenue residents are
elderly pensioners. Not only will they have to worry about how
they will meet their heating bills in winter, but they will also
have to suffer the angst of worrying about meeting the increased
electricity bills for running fans, which in the summer months
will not be insignificant.
5429. The above two items show exactly what
is in store for house owners who will be affected by the intrusion
of Crossrail's initiative. There appears to be no room on the
part of Crossrail for negotiation. We will be required to take
exactly what is being offered by them, despite it being inadequate.
In other words, they will dictate the rules. We live in a democratic
country and Crossrail should be put on notice that they are not
exempt from following the rules.
5430. Our Petition also highlighted the fact
that Hunter Avenue is a through-fare for children attending Shenfield
High School. Hunter Avenue is a small suburban avenue which, for
the most part, only has pavement on one side of the road by virtue
of the railway car park. At the western end of the avenue is a
sharp bend which has seen, over the years, a number of accidents.
Hunter Avenue was not built to take heavy plant lorry loads and
yet, despite this information being available to them, Crossrail
tell us that they have no alternative site to use for this purpose.
What price do they put on the safety of the public and, in particular,
the 100 or so children using Hunter Avenue daily.
5431. The response document states that they
will now only be using the eastern end of lorry route. This does
not detract from the fact that pedestrians will still be at risk
from two-way heavy plant lorries negotiating a sharp bend which
sees, on a daily basis, endless near misses involving cars, let
alone lorries.
5432. Hunter Avenue is a small suburban avenue
which in places barely has enough room for two cars to pass each
other safely.
5433. Crossrail's decision to use only part
of Hunter Avenue for lorry movement has exacerbated the risk of
queuing lorries, accidents involving those lorries and the risk
to pedestrians. In addition, they have not taken into account
that nearly every resident owns at least one car and trying to
get their cars on and off of their drives will become precarious.
5434. As a side, we would draw the Committee's
attention to the fact that within Crossrail's formal response
document a relevant drawing, F5001, showing the location of the
Petitioners based in Hunter Avenue, is incorrect. 20 Hunter Avenue
(marked 262 on the drawing) should be moved one position to the
right.[13]
So much for detailed analysis.
5435. In addition, whilst we appreciate that
the Select Committee has no power to seek the de-selection of
Shenfield within Crossrail's master plan, we truly believe that
the residents of Shenfield do not deserve the misery Crossrail's
stated intentions will cause in an effort to appease and I quote:
"...about 100 additional passengers who would enter the station...?
5436. We would suggest, as many before have
no doubt done so, that travellers to Heathrow should look no further
than using the current facilities available. On average, the journey
time from Shenfield to Liverpool Street is 23 minutes. From Liverpool
Street to Paddington is another 19 minutes, with the final Paddington
to Heathrow taking an average of 16 minutes, a grand total of
58 minutes' journey time.
5437. Ladies and gentlemen, we are sure that
over the past weeks you have heard many heartfelt cases, no doubt
better presented than ours, against Crossrail going ahead as outlined.
You have no doubt heard more pressing arguments against its intrusion
into people's lives. Indeed, we understand that Brentwood Borough
Council will be presenting their case to you tomorrow and will
no doubt raise far more reasons than we for opposing Crossrail
within the borough.
5438. In closing, we can only add our plea to
those already put to the bodies responsible for Crossrail to rethink
their plans and to release us from the threat of their invasion
into our lives. Thank you.
5439. Chairman: Thank you very much indeed.
It is now 11.35. This would seem to me to be a convenient time
for us to break for 15 minutes for a coffee break.
After a short break
13 Crossrail Ref: P70, Location of Petitioners based
in Hunter Avenue, Alexander Lane, Herrington Grove, Mount Avenue
and Pine Croft (BRWDBO-14903-008). Back
| 
