High Speed Rail (HS2)

HS2 funding to Hillingdon Council

HS2 Ltd has agreed to make phased contributions to Hillingdon Council, up to a maximum of £2 million to enable measures to benefit the local community in the areas of the borough most effected by the impacts of HS2 construction works. These contributions are known as the Local Amenity Fund.

The jointly-agreed criteria for eligible projects is that the:

• focus of projects should serve the communities impacted by HS2, principally Harefield, Ruislip and Ickenham.  Projects serving communities outside these areas will be considered on a case-by-case basis where links to the impacts from HS2 are accepted and agreed by both parties
• projects must benefit local residents and/or businesses
• Where possible, projects should seek to:

• serve a range of user groups and communities (this may be across multiple projects)
• mitigate against the loss of public amenity caused by the construction or operation of HS2
• be sustainable and long-term (include consideration of operational costs).

Projects that have recently been agreed are:

Footpaths to Fitness

This project aims to achieve much improved access to open green space and countryside for residents in Harefield, Ickenham, and Ruislip, facilitating off-road walking and cycling throughout the year, including the wetter autumn and winter months. The HS2 Amenity Fund, Footpaths to Fitness project proposal will invest in improving footpaths and local linkages in 4 key areas to improve the potential for recreational walks, dog walking and cycling, whilst benefitting local communities most directly impacted by HS2 construction. The proposal also accommodates improvements to a bridleway for horseriders, as well as walkers and cyclists.

The proposed surfaced circular route and other identified improvements offers residents not just a local route but also connects to further trails, such as the Celandine Route, Hillingdon Trail and routes into Harefield and beyond. The 4 specific routes for improvements are:

1. Bridleway U42 connecting Breakspear Road South and New Year's Green Lane
2. Footpath U37 connecting New Year's Green to U35 Harefield
3. Footpaths R143 and R144 Hillingdon Trail Ladygate Lane to Lantern House, Ruislip
4. Footpaths R145, R147 and U44 Ruislip Golf Course (Hill Lane to U43 Breakspear Road South)

South Ruislip and Ruislip Gardens Bridge improvements

The proposal is to transform the pedestrian experience for residents at 2 bridges along the HS2 route (South Ruislip and Ruislip Gardens) through lighting enhancements at Ruislip Gardens and public art at South Ruislip bridges. Both areas are within the communities most greatly impacted by HS2 construction and will achieve significant aesthetic benefits for local residents and businesses.

New public art at South Ruislip bridge will highlight local connections of interest to residents, instilling civic pride as well as brightening the pedestrian route under both bridges and creating a landmark feature.

Other HS2 Community and Business Funding

In March 2017, £40 million was made available for communities experiencing disruption from the construction of phase 1 of HS2. This is the line of route running from Euston Station in London, through to Curzon Street Station in Birmingham and up to Fradley in the West Midlands.

The last 3 projects awarded and announced in Hillingdon from the HS2 community and environment fund and HS2 business and local enterprise fund are:

• £59,000 awarded to the London Borough of Hillingdon for transforming Bridgwater open space
• £10,119 to the 4th Eastcote Scout Group to deliver more scouting in West London
• £77,903 to Uxbridge Sports Club to upgrade its facilities

19 projects worth over £975k have been approved and publicly announced in Hillingdon since 2017.

Further information can be found via the Community and Business Funds page and interactive project map.

Other community investment activity

In addition to the formal HS2 Funding there are also opportunities for HS2 contractors to partner up with local organisations in Hillingdon. The list below of some of the recent community investment activity:

• donating fencing materials to the Dogs Trust
• improving facilities at Bourne Primary School - joint project with Dawson Wam. Laying astro turf in play area; erecting fencing for younger children play section; taking away two old garden sheds; weeding gardening school area; cutting back trees in car park and moving school sign in front drive
• donating timber posts and heras fencing at the Blue Acre Horse charity
• donating two pedestrian barriers to a resident on Breakspear Road South
• donating food to Hillingdon Foodbank on a regular basis, as well as volunteering
• as part of site demobilisation, Align have been donating items from its de-commissioned work sites, such as office furniture and kitchen appliances to a range of organisations across Hillingdon.

Find out more about HS2 Community and Business Funds