We are pleased that the new government has decided to listen to local concerns and the new consultation deadline is 17th June.

We remain committed to getting proper consultation for local residents on the more important issue of the route.

This consultation is expected later this year and we remain confident that the Liberal Democrat committment to localism will be evident during this route consultation.

Frank Dobson after being quizzed by a member of the audience on why he didn’t show up for the crucial vote on Iraq goes on to say “I dont think that that’s accurate, I have to tell you.“

Below is a screenshot of the voting record on that crucial night of 18th March 2003 (thanks to the Public Whip, click here for the full list), as you can clearly see, Frank Dobson was absent.

Some people have been misinformed about the truth, we hope this sets the record straight.

Click here to access an internal Council Briefing on HS2

Dear Andrew,

As you know, I believe that the High Speed Two project could bring significant benefits to Camden, but at present many residents are expressing concerns about the precise route proposed, and proper consultation and revision of the route is going to be important here.

I would therefore like to ask that you review the proposed deadline for the Exceptional Hardship Consultation. I am writing to you as the minister responsible for the HS2 initiative, and copying this to your colleague the R. Hon Lord Mandelson as the minister responsible for the Government’s consultation code.

Residents here are unhappy that there has been a real lack of information about the HS2 plans and in particular on this first consultation. In Primrose Hill village for instance, where HS2 guidance says ‘properties above the tunnel will experience settlement’, very few people were originally aware of the proposals, let alone the consultation.

I believe this contravenes the Government’s own consultation guidelines in the following sections:

1.6 ‘…departments should avoid taking action during election periods’
2.1 ‘consultations should last for a minimum of 12 weeks’
2.4 ‘it is important to take steps to raise awareness of the exercise among those who are likely to be interested’
4.3 ‘It is vital to be proactive in disseminating consultation documents’

I would therefore ask that;

a) All Camden households likely to be directly affected are sent general background details and the Exceptional Hardship consultation information immediately.

b) In light of the election, the deadline is postponed to June 25th to allow 6 weeks after the election for people to meet locally and respond. Participants in a recent public meeting were frustrated that High Speed Two could not be represented because of purdah rules.

As you know, I very much support investment in rail and the concept of High Speed Two, and I welcome the introduction of an Exceptional Hardship Scheme. But I feel it is critical that communities directly affected are properly consulted, which simply doesn’t seem to be happening at present.

Best wishes,

Councillor Keith Moffitt
Leader of the Council

cc. The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson

We will continue to keep residents up to date as we hear more, and as always feel free to contact us.

We remain very concerned about this Labour government proposal which would mean tunnelling under Primrose Hill homes. The rationale for this £25billion scheme to come into Euston remains unclear and there seem many alternatives for a less sensitive route.

The turnout at the meeting was very high though regrettably no government or council officers would attend during the pre-election ‘purdah’ period. It was great to see our community come together to make our voices heard.

A key issue from the meeting was the looming consultation deadline of 20th May for the Exceptional Hardship Scheme, the system proposed to compensate ‘residential owner-occupiers of properties the value of which may be seriously affected by the preferred route option for any new high speed rail link’.

We are astonished that High Speed 2 appears to be using the cover of the election to avoid having to speak to residents. We are fighting to get this date pushed back.

Jo Shaw, our local parliamentary campaigner and a barrister specialising in housing law said “It is outrageous that the Labour government want to rush through this consultation without Primrose Hill residents being given proper information. The local Lib Dems will do everything they can to make sure that local voices are heard.”

Jo and the team have contacted High Speed 2, the Labour Minister responsible and the Cabinet Office, who regulates the government’s Code of Practice on Consultations about the consultation deadline of 20th May. We will update residents the minute we get a response.

As suggested by residents the sensible aim now is to fight the 20th May deadline. Meanwhile we should get High Speed 2 officers here to quiz them on the scheme as soon as possible. Residents are also keen to form a local action group and we are keen to assist alongside other local parties.

High Speed 2 can be contacted on 020 7944 4908, consultation documents on the Exceptional Hardship Scheme are at: http://tiny.cc/zwmqs

Don’t forget you can contact us at any time.

The proposed route runs from London Euston and will see the creation of a new tunnel running under Primrose Hill village. Construction would not start until 2019 but the government intends to begin consultation this year on the route.

In response to residents requests, we are helping to organise a non political meeting of residents to discuss the route and hear more about the proposed plans, with fellow ward councillors. In the meantime we would like to hear your views, especially what information you are keen to get.

As with most government consultations the sooner we make our voices, heard the better it is in the long run.

The meeting will take place at 7pm on Wed 14th April at the Primrose Hill Community Association.

To view the proposed route click here.

This is the most effective way of saving energy in homes and not only is it a positive step towards reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change but it will also save money on fuel bills.

Once completed they will be a welcome improvement for local residents- three new lifts, which break down less and use less energy.

There will be a slight reduction in service as the old lifts get changed over to the new ones, but residents will always be able to get to one of the three lifts during the change over.

In addition some residents have mentioned the issue of parking bay suspensions with limited notice given that the bays will be suspended.

We have taken this issue up with the Council officers responsible, in the interim period residents can sign up for automated email alerts of upcoming parking bay suspensions at http://tiny.cc/4Ww4W

P.S. in 2005/2006 under Camden Labour 26,000 cars were clamped, the Lib Dems promised to ban clamping on public highways in our 2006 manifesto and in 2008/2009 only seven cars were clamped.

We have been told by Camden’s Burglary Squad that a genuine police officer will be more than happy to wait while you verify their identity. If you think there is a bogus caller at your door, play it safe and ring 999.

We will continue to work closely with our Safer Neighbourhood Team of officers to make sure our communities remain safe, they can be contacted at CamdenTown.PrimroseHill.SNT@met.police.uk

If you have any concerns feel free to contact us. We take crime and anti-social behaviour very seriously and making Camden safe is one of our priorities. We have been campaigning to keep police stations open and have invested in extra Police Community Support Officers for Camden Town in order to make it a safer place for residents.

We spoke to the Housing Association responsible – One, and they sent a plumber around to fix it. Occasionally it takes some strong words from your local Lib Dem team to get things done, something we are more than happy to do for residents. We know there are several Housing Associations in Juniper Crescent and they sometimes like to pass on the blame.

If you notice any other problems or if there is anything we can help you with, contact us and we will get it sorted.