One of the most pressing concerns for local Belsize residents is and continues to be the shambolic HS2 botched plans for carving up Camden and especially the wild scale destruction and disruption to leafy Belsize for at least a decade, which could start from as early as post general election in 2016-17.
Despite what the political parties of the current sitting councillors for Belsize sending out communications by email and letters suggesting that that HS2 will not affect Camden that is only one half of the bigger story. Whilst it is true that the HS1-HS2 Link through Camden Town which would have decimated large parts of Camden Town and the iconic Camden Lock and have caused disruption to the residents there on a scale approaching what many of the oldest in our community there to be reminiscent of the aftermath of WWII blitz, in terms of construction working. Thankfully the boss of HS2 saw the light and cancelled that part of the project as being sub-standard so yes Camden Town is safe.
But that has not changed the "air shaft" in Adelaide Road nor the HS2 tunnel construction through Belsize.
Are you aware that if the proposed route of HS2 goes forward that three large tunnels each larger than the size of a London double decker bus will pass under Fellows Road and that is despite the recent mis-messages from your local Tory councillors and the misleading "fake" HS2 petition from Tory PPC Simon Marcus, which was nothing more that a name, email address and voter intention gathering intel op.
Most concerning is the close proximity of the three HS2 tunnels being constructed under the foundations of the large 22 storey old 1967 concrete towers with mostly unknown and undocumented foundation features with concrete in a declining state of repair in the lower basement areas.
I have on record from a HS2 surveyor/engineer that the Chalcot "towers" will sink slightly (settle) and can lean over by several degrees over the proposed tunnels and that surface cracking in the structures is a possibility.
I have yet to obtain a more definitive statement from HS2 Limited on this key question concerning the safety and lives of more than 2,500 residents of the Chalcots.
HS2 Limited assures us that all planning permissions have considered these facts.
Do we trust them!
Illustration by (c) Gail Gibbons. My Daughter has approved this illustration for use here!
