At last a meeting, but not with residents

On 30th January our local councillors were invited to the first "Local Representatives - Bedford Town Centre" meeting. This is part of the new plan from EWR to hold meetings every three months with communities along the proposed development to discuss progress and concerns.

Our councillors wrote in response that they were unhappy that once again local residents were not included in these meetings. As Protect Poets we feel this is once again EWR's half hearted attempt to show they are communicating" with the public without actually doing so.

On 14th February EWR responded to Colleen Atkins and Louise Jackson. They stated that since the lifting of Covid regulations they have been looking into how to communicate better with the public - we are yet to receive so much as a generic note through the door.

They also stated that due to the unforeseen volume of responses to the 2021 consultation they have not completed assessing all suggestions and comments and so the publication of the findings and how they effect the proposals will now not be know until THE SUMMER!!!

Ahead of the meeting Protect Poets sent a list of key points and concerns that we wish our councillors to raise with EWR and to continue to chase them on until we receive satisfactory conclusions. These are the points we have asked to be raised.

1. There has been no direct contact with any resident since some of us received letters on 31st March 2021, other than that initiated by residents at 1-2-1 zoom calls. We were promised a dedicated contact person with whom to raise concerns and that we would be kept up to date. This has not happened – why not? Their assurance that we can contact them via their general enquiries channels is not good enough. These do not give us access to people who can answer the questions we need answering, and that have been raised time and again. The excuse that Covid restrictions have prevented direct communication is inadequate. Several virtual meetings could easily have been arranged since last March and now restrictions have been lifted there has been no attempt to contact residents to arrange a face-to-face discussion.

2. The delay in publication of the conclusions of the 2021 consultation is unacceptable. EWR have continually failed to provide firm deadlines for anything, and even soft deadlines are ignored or moved. There must be some conclusions already made that EWR can share. We request that they do so at the earliest opportunity.

3. What have EWR done to address residents’ concerns regarding increased noise, pollution and vibration disturbance both during any construction and when the line is operational? To date the only answer we have received is “we will look into it”. Residents would appreciate seeing evidence of any proposed planting or acoustic barriers being considered, so we can provide our feedback.

4. EWR have so far failed to recognise that any increase in rail traffic alongside the Poets area will have an effect of additional noise, vibration and in the case of non-electrified rolling stock, pollution. These will not be limited to Spencer Road, Milton Road, Sidney Road, Milne Row and Chesterton Mews. What compensation schemes are they proposing to offer to non-compulsory purchased residents who chose to stay in the area but who’s homes and lives are impacted in the event of additional construction, and/or increase traffic?

5. Properties across the across the Poets area are already subject to ‘blight’ The owners of a house on the upper section of Spencer Road have lost more than one sale in the last 10 months. They had a confirmed buyer who pulled out once their surveyor discovered the proposed scheme. The purchasers had concerns about the damage to air quality any demolitions and construction would cause as their daughter has asthma. Residents already living closer to the rail line have expressed serious dissatisfaction with the outlined ‘blight’ compensation and requirements residents are expected to meet to qualify. What are EWR planning to put in place to help those wishing to move and when will it be available?

6 In the event of properties being compulsory purchased, what are EWR’s plans for the homes once they become vacant? Will they be left empty and boarded up until construction begins or rented by EWR? It is recognised that empty properties encourage anti-social behaviour in an area, which will have a significant effect on neighbouring homes.

7 At what point will EWR clarify the exact nature, frequency number of passenger and freight trains operating past the Poets area? When will they confirm how those trains will be powered?

8 There has clearly been a shift in working habits since the Pandemic. Have EWR factored in the now reduced demand for commuter travel, which has seen other rail operators reduce services, in their predictions for the need for additional tracks?

9 Are EWR carrying out a new cost analysis of the route, in light of recent changes in the economy and decisions from Government to scrap or scale back elements of HS2.

10 Do EWR have a firm date for the publication of the statutory consultation? What details will it include and what will still be left to be decided. To date, each consultation has contained significant ‘grey’ areas which has led to increased levels of anger and mistrust, as significant information is revealed months after decisions are made – decisions that we are told cannot be reversed and that had the facts been known earlier would have affected how people chose to respond.

11 EWR need to accept that continuing to refuse to meet with any members of the community and only hold discussions with local elected representatives is adding to the mistrust and hostility, especially in areas such as Poets. Will EWR accept this?