Examination of Witnesses (Questions 17360
- 17379)
17360. We are well established with our local
services such as youth clubs, the local parish churches and other
amenities. We have very strong relationships with our local neighbours,
which have been built up through the years. Some of the younger
travellers are now married to members of the local settled community.
17361. We have been in negotiations with Crossrail
since 2004. Communication and consultation were very poor at the
start. We were not informed officially by Crossrail of our homes
being under threat by the building of the ventilation shaft for
their railway. With much perseverance by myself and the residents
group we have negotiated with Crossrail for many months, and have
come to an agreement that we feel confident will save our homes
and our community.
17362. We are in support of Crossrail's proposal
to acquire the two pieces of land as outlined in the Additional
Provisions statement paragraph 4.2.3. This is known as option
4B. This includes the Laundry Building (39-41 Eleanor Street)
and Units 1-3 of Bow Triangle Business Centre.
17363. We are supporting Option 4B for the following
reasons:
17364. Our caravan site will be relocated within
the Bow Triangle and we will be able to remain as a community
and continue with our traditional way of life. There will be less
upheaval and stress for our community as our children will be
able to remain in their primary and secondary schools, and their
education will not be disrupted. We will be able to continue our
strong links with the local community and local services, which
has taken us many years to establish. We will not have to face
an uncertain future.
17365. We will only have to face the upheaval
of one phased move rather than a double move, as proposed by Crossrail
in Option 4A.
17366. We do not consider Option 4A (which is
acquiring the laundry building only) as a suitable option for
our community. This will mean a double-phased move and living
on a temporary basis for four years with uncertainty. We are concerned
that half the residents would not have the same standard of amenities
they have now. The site will be smaller and the conditions will
be unacceptable. This will cause stress and conflict in the community.
17367. Acquiring the two pieces of land will
provide enough space to accommodate all the residents.
17368. We are keen to support and work with
Crossrail in the building of their railway, and we believe that
this option will satisfy both parties. We also believe that this
option will save Crossrail's resources. We believe that Option
4 is the only solution which we think is acceptable for the residents
of Eleanor Street and provides Crossrail with a way forward to
building their railway.
17369. Thank you for your time. We would appreciate
if you would please consider all of the above in our favour when
making your decision.
17370. Chairman: Thank you very much
indeed.
17371. Mr Mould: Chairman, the principal
point to make in relation to this Petition is plainly that the
Petitioner is speaking on behalf of the proposed additional provision
that I outlined to the Committee in my brief opening statement;
and plainly we welcome that and we, for the reasons I have given,
believe that what she calls Option 4B and what I have described
as Option 2 are one and the same thing—the arrangements
I outlined to you earlier—that, on balance, that is the
appropriate way forward here and we commend that to the Committee.
17372. All I need to say beyond that is this:
the Petitioner raised concerns about the quality of the consultation
process earlier in the development of the Bill scheme. What I
would say is, my instructions are that there was certainly a meeting
with the occupiers of the travellers' site and the London Gypsy
Travellers' unit on 10 November 2004, which was followed up with
a further meeting between the Promoter and the borough council,
the occupiers and the GLA on 25 April 2005. There was a consultative
process in place. I can say no more about any concerns that have
been raised today in relation to the quality of that; but it would
not be right for the Committee to conclude that contact was not
being made and matters not being explained to the occupiers as
the scheme proposals progressed.
17373. Unless there is anything else, that is
all I wanted to say in response to this Petition.
17374. Ms Mahoney: I am happy to the
extent that at the start of the negotiations we had to go ourselves
and find out what was happening to our site because I do not think
Crossrail knew we existed in the caravan site—it just came
up as Eleanor Street. We, in the Residents' Group, found information
for ourselves and got in contact with Crossrail and informed Crossrail
that 20 families were living on Eleanor Street. From then on we
took up negotiations with Crossrail.
17375. Chairman: Can I, on behalf of
the Committee commend the Promoters for eventually communicating
and reaching a sensible agreement. In so many of these cases that
does not apply, particularly with traveller and gypsy groups who
are left with very little communication. May I place on record
the Committee's thanks for the work done in this respect.
17376. For the record, can I call the next Petitioner,
Mr McIntyre.
17377. Mr Mould: Chairman, I have seen
an e-mail exchange which certainly indicated to me that Mr McIntyre
was content to leave his Petition in writing.
17378. Chairman: Could I also call Mr
Alan Goshchalk on behalf of Paperback Limited if he is in attendance.
17379. Ms Lieven: Chairman, we know that
Mr Goshchalk is coming because Mr Smith had a telephone conversation
with him this morning, but we do not think he is here yet. Mr
Smith spoke to him just before ten o'clock and at that stage he
was in the Bow Business Unit so he is on his way.
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