The independent commissioner for HS2 calls for contractors to provide better public notice of construction works.
- Contractors are criticised for announcing projects only when fully planned, leaving communities uninformed.
- Local authorities are informed early, but community engagement is lacking, says Mark Worthington.
- HS2 projects between Birmingham and Euston face uncertainty since construction pauses by the government.
- Efforts are underway to mitigate the impact of paused HS2 works on local residents.
i?Independent construction commissioner for HS2, Mark Worthington, stressed the need for contractors to issue more timely notifications to the public regarding upcoming construction activities.?, Worthington expressed concern over the current practice of only making announcements once all project elements are finalised, a strategy he suggests leaves communities uninformed and out of the loop despite early communications with local authorities.
The commissioner highlighted the necessity for contractors to actively and clearly engage with the public, advocating for maximum advance notice of upcoming works. While acknowledging potential changes in timelines, Worthington underscored the importance of keeping communities informed to prevent them from being sidelined.
Particular attention was drawn to the uncertainties affecting the HS2 sections north from Birmingham and between Old Oak Common and Euston. Since former prime minister Rishi Sunak halted works in October, these segments have encountered significant ambiguities. Worthington understands the government’s need to deliberate major decisions but advocates for early declarations to ease community concerns.
At present, construction at HS2 Euston and the 4.5-mile tunnel towards Old Oak Common has been paused amid deliberations on extending the high-speed rail line to central London. This pause follows Sunak’s decision to transfer responsibility for the Euston site from HS2 Ltd, contingent on acquiring private funding for continuation.
Moreover, questions remain regarding the connectivity of the HS2 network to the North after the Birmingham-Manchester leg was axed by Sunak. HS2 chair Jon Thompson acknowledged the impact of such uncertainties on local businesses and residents, stressing the agency’s efforts to continue community engagement and open communication channels.
Plans are in place to open a community hub, courtesy of partnerships at Euston, to provide area developments information. Additionally, measures have been initiated to repurpose parts of the HS2 Euston site for community use during construction pauses. The first of these initiatives was realised on Hampstead Road in July, with multiple projects anticipated to commence this year.
The ongoing efforts to improve public notification and engagement highlight the complexities and challenges inherent in large-scale infrastructure projects like HS2.
