Examination of Witnesses (Questions 16920
- 16939)
Ordered that Counsel and Parties be called in.
16920. Chairman: Good morning. We have
two petitioners today, Kempton Court Residents and then Saunderson
and Saunderson. Would Counsel like to outline?
16921. Mr Taylor: Sir, Good morning.
The Committee will recall that Kempton Court Residents appeared
on day 35 and at that particular point Ms Lieven explained that
in respect of the noise issues at that date the promoter wished
to review the position and work was then done that resulted in
a report in June of this year which was then produced, I believe
to the Committee, and was circulated to the residents reviewing
noise issues in the Whitechapel area as a whole. I understand
this morning that Ms Singleton has returned to present her petition
on the noise issues in light of that report. I think that is a
rather brutal summary but there we are.
16922. Chairman: It is a start. Ms Singleton?
The Petitions of Kempton Court Residents Committee
The Petitioner appeared in person
16923. Ms Singleton: Thank you. I will
just be providing a brief report of what I have considered from
the noise information. I am satisfied that Crossrail have made
an assessment of the likely level of noise that would be produced
by any type of open-air activity using mechanical plant. The assessment
was by a computer programme called SiteNoise 98. Although this
is an accepted industrial model, Crossrail acknowledged that conditions
can change in the period up to construction and that these predicted
noise projections will then need more work.
16924. The report has produced an understandable,
full explanation of how noise mitigation was arrived at. This
was what was not at all clear in the original Environment Statement
so it is understandable for residents. The report shows a number
of properties in Whitechapel Road and Cambridge Heath Road which
were not included in our petition. However, I have had telephone
calls from two of these owners who have heard that I might have
information as they were unaware of any possible problems. Therefore,
I hope that these properties have been sent the same information.
This highlights the need for a continuing dialogue for any persons
who may be affected by Crossrail.
16925. A further issue for Kempton Court residents
is the shortening of piles that are beneath the actual building
and properties. A minimum of 15, but possibly up to 40 piles,
may be in the path of the crown of the tunnel lining. Crossrail
sets out the process for mitigating these, and will work with
the freeholder. However, it is important for the residents above
these areas to have assurance that there will be no adverse effect
to the fabric of their flats which we feel would be best done
by a pre-survey of the individual properties.
16926. The one item not provided in the Summary
of Off-Site Mitigation is a time-line and a time-line that is
understandable to the residents. I realise actual dates are as
yet not possible to provide, but a simple diagram could show the
likely periods during construction when work would particularly
affect an area, say, the relocating of utilities. This would be
especially helpful for residents who would possibly face two separate
periods of rehousing. It would also give some understanding and
information for residents who need to sell during the construction
period, this is a very big concern, what will we do if people
come along and see the windows with this extra insulation on them
and worry about how long this might be the case. I have received
a letter from Keith Berryman, Managing Director of Crossrail,
that he will be happy to maintain a dialogue with me regarding
the Noise Mitigation scheme, and the other proposals relating
to the construction of the proposed Whitechapel station including
works to the Kempton Court piles.
16927. The particular point I have raised was
the concerns of residents of how noise insulation could be installed
on floor to ceiling inward opening glass and the extremely large
windows of Trinity Hall. I would say that in some of the flats
at Kempton Court there might only be one very small window, all
the rest of the glass areas are these floor to ceiling inward
opening doors. Other concerns there are there is no mention of
removal and making good after the whole process of insulation
is not required. As the Whitechapel site is so large, if they
are growing concerns about the building site in the area, I would
like assurance that Crossrail will hold informal surgeries in
the area or regular meetings.
16928. I note the Promoter's letter of 1 August
2006 that assurances to Petitioners will be put on a register.
However, whilst many assurances will encompass the concerns of
many petitioners, some assurances, certainly to residents in Durward
Street, are specific to them, and in fact, are known only to those
who read the transcript of the minutes of evidence. I wonder if
it is not possible to have specific assurances now rather than
waiting until they appear on the register only where it is concerning
residents in Durward Street, that is where we are.
16929. Mr Taylor: Sir, I have got Mr
Rupert Taylor who we can speak about technical matters if that
is necessary but I am probably in a position to respond to Ms
Singleton's concerns.
16930. Chairman: There are only really
two matters, one is the consultation, the request to ensure that
other people in the immediate area are also consulted with any
documentations which are going around which I think very easily
get a response to guarantee on that. The second thing is about
a host of matters in relation to ongoing dialogue and we did agree,
we recommended in our interim report, about the one-stop shop
option should be in the area and I think that meets all the needs
and demands that Ms Singleton has put forward for regular surgeries
and dialogue.
16931. Mr Taylor: Sir, you are ahead
of me but I was going to remind the Committee of the fact that
we had accepted yesterday the recommendations for a one-stop shop
and in our view that will form a focus for consultation with the
residents and for the dissemination of information.
16932. Chairman: Ms Singleton, is that
satisfactory? We have insisted and it has been agreed now with
the Promoters to have this permanent one-stop shop which has dialogue
continueously with all the residents in the area on an ongoing
basis and that seems to be quite a lot of your demands.
16933. Ms Singleton: Yes, I would be
very happy with that. I was not sure when I read yesterday's statement
whether it was only for the Spitalfields area but if it is the
wider area that would be fine, thank you.
16934. Mr Taylor: I think the intention
is for the entire Whitechapel area. I have two other points which
I will deal with very briefly. Ms Singleton raised concerns about
the need for a pre-survey of the flats. I can confirm that a pre-survey
will be done pursuant to the settlement deed that was entered
into by those in the flats. Of course they will be offered that
document and so there is already a process that we have outlined
to the Committee for ensuring that is done. The only other matter
that I would draw to the Committee's attention is that when the
specification for noise insulation is worked up, the Committee
may not be aware of this but we have got information paper D9
which sets out a lot of the detailed explanation for procedure.
Within that document it indicates that the specification for noise
insulation will be agreed with the particular resident concerned,
so, there is inevitably going to have to be some detailed consultation
through the process we have already set out.
16935. Chairman: Does that satisfy your
concerns, Ms Singleton?
16936. Ms Singleton: Yes, thank you very
much.
16937. Chairman: I think you have had
a very good morning, very short but very good and we thank you
for coming back to us again and bringing your further concerns.
If there anything else in your presentation which needs to be
taken account of, we will assess those concerns as we finalise
the report. Thank you very much.
16938. Ms Singleton: Thank you.
16939. Chairman: We will now move on
to Mr Saunderson. Ms Lieven, would you like to outline?
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