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Grange Park embankments replanting meeting with Network Rail
The public meeting organised by David Burrowes MP to review the replanting of the Grange Park embankments took place on 1st December 2011.
Approximately 80 people braved the wintry, rainy night to voice their views about the replanting scheme...
At the meeting were Neil Thompson, Program Director for Disruption at Network Rail, Nigel Leigh, The Project Manager for the Grange Park embankment works, Dr Neal Strong - Network Rail Tree Expert, Denise Thompson - Community relations Manager and David Burrowes - MP for Enfield Southgate.
The meeting opened with David Burrowes thanking everyone for coming and then reading the Network Rail chief executives letter about the Grange Park Embankments to the meeting, to put the meeting into context and to separate it from the previous meeting at The Church in the Orchard.
Helen Osman, a local Grange Park resident, then spoke on behalf of the local Grange Park railway embankments action group about the concerns and disappointments they had about the replanting that had been carried out.
It appeared that despite being part of the consultation process after the council meeting, when the replanting scheme was discussed, the action groups' wishes had been almost completely ignored and the original scheme that was presented at the Council meeting had been implemented as a fait-a-complis.
Where were the extra trees that had been requested ?
Where was the privacy for the inhabitants adjoining the line in Nestor Avenue and Merridene ?
Helen Osman's presentation showed that there was little that Network Rail had taken on board or had considered from the input of the local residents in their replanting scheme.
Network Rail then responded with a number of points which will appear here on video in due course.
The meeting was then opened for questions from the floor of the meeting.
The consistent message throughout the numerous questions that were asked was that there was insufficient consideration given by Network Rail to the residents most affected.
What had Network Rail done to ensure their privacy, quality of life and to ensure the noise from the trains was reduced ?
The answers were not entirely convincing - the noise was louder because you could now see the source of the noise, whereas you couldn't before - Trees could not be planted higher up the embankment to shield the view of the passengers looking directly into the adjacent properties windows because there is insufficient soil to sustain a tree growing there now - indiginous species could not be tolerated as they could have leaves that blow onto the line from 30m away - compensation of any form was out of the question for those most directly affected - re populating the toe of the embankment all the way round the site would not be possible because there was insufficient soil there too, even though trees had been there for the last 100 years and this area had not been touched by the works ......
What was decided ?
The audience were clear that Network Rail had not done enough to ensure the embankmants were replanted sufficiently well to ensure the well-being of those most affected by the deforestation.
Network Rail agreed there was still some planting outstanding that would be completed before the end of the planting season - more trees in fact.
Network Rail were not aware that there was such a disparity between the local residents views and the actions agreed by Network Rail, so they would re - look at the points raised.
Network Rail will arrange the planting of bulbs in the SE corner of the embankments adjacent to Green Dragon Lane.
There will be a review of the embankments in 1 year's time when the growth and coverage will be reviewed.
The fences will be painted green
This article is under construction.
