Examination of Witnesses (Questions 12880
- 12899)
12880. Just answer my question: it is right,
is it not?
(Mr Schabas) Yes, they could not.
12881. Now you have said in your evidence-in-chief,
and indeed you said in the House of Commons when you gave evidence,
that you were told by Crossrail that they were not going to consider
alternatives. Do you remember using those words?
(Mr Schabas) I was told by Cross London Rail Links in 2002
that they were not going to look at alternatives any more.
12882. That was a conversation that you had
with Norman Haste, who was then the Chief executive of CLRL, was
it not?
(Mr Schabas) Correct.
12883. And what Mr Haste actually said, because
Mr Berryman was there, was he told you that CLRL was not going
to consider alternatives "that had no hope of success".
That is the complete quotation, is it not?
(Mr Schabas) I did not take a recording of the meeting but
it sounds like the sort of thing he might have said as part of
the discussion, yes.
12884. He did not say CLRL is not going to consider
alternatives; what he said was CLRL is not going to consider alternatives
that have no hope of success. That is the truth of the situation,
is it not, Mr Schabas?
(Mr Schabas) Yes, it is.
12885. Thank you. Now so far as Cavendish Square
is concerned, just a couple of questions; have you ever been to
Cavendish Square?
(Mr Schabas) Yes.
12886. You therefore must be aware that there
are a large number of fully mature plane trees in Cavendish Square?
(Mr Schabas) Around — — yes.
12887. So when you gave evidence earlier that
there were no trees in Cavendish Square that was simply wrong?
(Mr Schabas) The are in parts that are not affected by the
car park. They have a four-level underground car park that goes
down.
12888. There are a large number of fully mature
plane trees in Cavendish Square, yes.
(Mr Schabas) Yes.
12889. The other point is that you said Cavendish
Square has been bombed and it is a good site for a work site.
Cavendish Square is surrounded on three sides by original Georgian
buildings, is not it?
(Mr Schabas) The north side is only partly Georgian, the
south side is all new, the east and the west side are Georgian
buildings.
12890. Thank you. Have you carried out any analysis
of how many listed buildings there are in Cavendish Square compared
to Hanover Square?
(Mr Schabas) No, I do not have the budget and I do not think
Crossrail did either.
12891. So far as RAM's knowledge of the Wigmore
Street work is concerned, are you aware that a presentation was
given to the Society and the Mayfair residents in February 2005
that covered the Wigmore Street alignment?
(Mr Schabas) No, I am not.
12892. So far as the Parsons Brinckerhoff Report
is concerned, are you aware it was sent to the Society and the
Mayfair residents on 25 May 2007?
(Mr Schabas) I am not aware of the precise date but I guess
I was given it a few months ago.
12893. Just reverting to the question of trees,
you suggested that Cavendish Square was a much better location
because there was going to be extensive tree loss in Hanover Square
from our proposals. I assume from what you said that you were
not aware that our proposals as they currently stand are that
there will be no tree loss in Hanover Square?
(Mr Schabas) I am delighted to hear that.
12894. You were not aware of that?
(Mr Schabas) I was not aware that you were not affecting
any trees.
12895. MS LIEVEN: Thank you. Thank you
very much, Mr Schabas.
12896. CHAIRMAN: Any re-examination,
Mr Goodman?
12897. MR GOODMAN: No, my Lord.
12898. CHAIRMAN: Thank you very much,
Mr Schabas.
The witness withdrew
12899. CHAIRMAN: Have you got any other
witnesses?
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