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Grange Park will never be the same again : Public meeting to be held this week
The anger and frustration at The Network Rail actions this week in Grange Park is palpable.
David Burrowes MP has organised a Public Meeting to be held in
The Church in the Orchard, Grange Park
at 1pm on Friday 11th February 2011
Mr David Burrowes MP will attend along with officers from the Council – Gary Barnes, Assistant Director of Environment and local ward councillors, Glynis Vince, Chris Joannides and Terry Nevile and the following officers from Network Rail:
Denise Thompson - Community Relations Manager LNE
Chris McDaid - Project Manager for the Grange Park Network Rail scheme
Martyn Wilson - Senior Earthworks Engineer for the Grange Park Network Rail scheme
And possibly the Senior Lineside Engineer. All the Public are invited.
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David Burrowes, MP for Enfield Southgate explains how Network Rail have singularly ignored their obligation as a responsible organisation to inform local residents of the devastation that was to come. He explains his shock at the site and how residents can make their voice heard to stop this unitarian approach adopted by Network Rail. |
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A short film showing the extent of the removal of trees from the embankments in Grange Park - changing the area forever. A short letter was sent to some residents in Grange Park N21, but it did not indicate the extent of the deforestation. A Public Meeting is announced for Friday 11th February 2011 in Grange Park. |
The woodland area on both sides of the railway line from Green Dragon Lane to The Grangeway has been destroyed. See the before and after shots below.
Find out why Network Rail have done this and what is going to happen now..
Network Rail remove all trees from the Grange Park embankments - January 2011
This is a view from Green Dragon Lane to The Grangeway.
See what it used to look like here, when we went down the railway line in 2010.
For the first time in over 100 years you can see Grange Park Station from Green Dragon Lane. The Trees next to the Grangeway, N21, were cut down by Network Rail, the shrubs removed and the wildlife dispersed.
A green artery of wildlife and forestation that had existed for 100 years on the Hertford Loop between Green Dragon Lane and Grange Park was ripped out in a violent few days.
Residents backing onto the line are particularly devastated as the trees obscured the line from their homes. Now, passengers travelling in the carriages can see directly into their homes. This deforestation has not only affected the immediate residents, but the whole feel of Grange Park has changed.
Why weren't local residents informed this was going to happen?
Network rail did issue a letter to a number of residents backing onto the line, but just how extreme the vegetation removal was going to be was not made clear.
A copy of the letter is shown here. Click for more info.
Why have Network Rail done this?
All the Network Rail workmen would say on the site was "No Comment", however, reliable sources have indicated that the line between Winchmore Hill and Grange Park was becoming increasingly unstable due to the uneven and overgrown embankments next to the line. In fact, it is said that you can actually see the level of the line has already been affected slightly in this area. The embankments, built over 100 years ago could not be relied upon to support the line safely without intervention.
What are Network Rail's plans now the area has been cleared?
According to our verified source, Network Rail will be removing a large amount of soil and replacing the soil with rock along the full lengths of the embankments. A number of steppes of rock will be created to support the higher levels and to ensure a greater stability of the track. Once these steppes have been created, the area will be covered in topsoil and the area grassed to hide the rock. In time there will be a series of levels of grassed embankment. There are no plans at this time to intoduce trees to hide the grassed embankment.
Are there plans to build on the land ?
There are no plans to build on the land and the plans that have been raised for the new embankments go right down to ground level at the fencing that has been put up by the contractors.
David Burrowes, Enfield Southgate MP has made the following statement
I am extremely concerned about the wholesale destruction of trees and clearance of the woodland area along the railway from Green Dragon Lane through to Grange Park station and was concerned to see myself the devastation caused to the wonderful woodland area and wildlife habitat adjoining the railway embankment. Sadly this is not the first time Network Rail have carried out such works without proper notification and consultation with the local community. Residents in Winchmore Hill have already suffered similar tree losses and I understand Cuffley residents are in a similar position further up the line.
What happens now?
It seems that the scheme involves no replacement trees. Surely it must be possible to replace some of the trees to reinstate the woodland feel to this area ?
Everyone needs to write independently to the Chief Executive of Network Rail.
David Higgins was appointed on the 1st February 2011 as Network Rail's new Chief Executive , and in his introductory statement has commented that he wanted to see the words "Open, Transparent, Accountable and Responsive" associated with Network Rail.
Now is the chance for him to show this is true.
Please email Network Rails New Chief Executive, David Higgins with your views....
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What do you think of Network Rails actions ?
Do you live next to this devastation ?
Were you aware this was going to be done ?
Have you contacted the Grange Park Councillors, Terence Nevile, Glynis Vince or Chris Joannides ? What did they say ?
Have you contacted David Burrowes, the MP for Enfield Southgate ? What did he say ?
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