Key Issues re Buddleias and Long Valley Wood

Updated in March 2007, this page is retained as a reminder of the key issues raised by residents and councillors in objection to the application by London Underground Ltd (LUL) in 2004.

As mentioned previously, this application was rejected unanimously by the Three Rivers District Council Planning Committee on the grounds that it is inappropriate development on green belt. However, this is not the only objection raised. We have begun to list other key issues below and these will continue to be updated.

Public safety on footpath 11 (Lavrock Lane)

LUL proposes to use Lavrock Lane as their only vehicle access to the site. Lavrock Lane is a definitive public footpath in the shape of a single unmade track through Croxley Hall Woods, linking a network of public footpaths together in the area. The footpath is regularly used by pedestrians, dog walkers, horse riders and cyclists. It is also used as a route by school children attending Harvey Road and Rickmansworth Schools. It would be totally inappropriate, not to say dangerous, for pedestrians to share this footpath with vehicles, including HGV’s, regularly accessing the site. LUL cannot provide sufficient safety measures to ensure public safety. In fact closure of the footpath is the only safety measure acceptable to Herts County Council during construction of the depot. Otherwise LUL have suggested a number of cctv cameras along the route! No account has been taken of the numerous tracks leading in and out of the woodlands along the footpath. Children play and cycle in this area and it has always been a safe place to walk dogs. Unfortunately, LUL holds an easement right over Lavrock Lane, however, this dates back to the 1950’s and was never granted with this type of heavy industrial activity in mind. The site was previously used as a tip by LUL more than 25 years ago and accessed at that time directly from the railway line.

Harvey Road

Harvey road is a narrow residential road which links to the Watford Road. Harvey Road School’s main entrance leads off Harvey Road, just a few hundred metres from the junction with the Watford Road. Local opinion is that this junction is an accident black spot. A narrow 90 degree turn leads into Harvey Road, just beyond a pedestrian crossing, where accidents occur frequently. There is already an issue with 44 ton HGV’s using Harvey Road to deliver to the IMC factory and many lorry drivers have commented on the dangerous and difficult access. Residents have complained of damage to parked cars and it is not unknown for lorries to be halted by the congestion around the school entrance.

In fact, lorries have such difficulty accessing the IMC site that they regularly have to reverse up footpath 11. No adequate safety measures have been put in place to protect pedestrians anywhere in Harvey Road or around IMC. Drivers are not even aware that they are crossing a public footpath at the end of Harvey Road. It won’t be long before there is a serious accident, and that’s before LUL have even begun using Harvey Road and Lavrock Lane!

Residents are also concerned about the structural integrity of the bridge in Harvey Road. Our research suggests that this bridge has not been structurally surveyed since 1986, long before 44 ton HGV’s were allowed to use our local road network. This bridge should have been re-surveyed in 1992 to ensure that no weight restrictions should be enforced. Residents believe that the bridge is showing signs of weakness and are unconvinced by LUL’s statement that the bridge is safe. Indeed, we want to see written statistical evidence that this bridge has been fully surveyed and is, as stated, structurally sound enough for this huge increase of HGV weight and use.

Noise and Light Pollution

In the Environmental Statement provided by LUL, they claim that the development site is in an industrial/residential area. The residents strongly oppose this ‘view’. The site is, in fact, within a residential/greenbelt environment. It is, after all, surrounded by pasture, ancient woodland, canal, river and a site of special scientific interest (Common Moor)! Industrial use couldn’t be further from the truth. Consequently, the data used to assess noise and light have been based on the incorrect interpretation of the site as being industrial/residential. At present the land has no noise and no light pollution! Any introduction of noise and light will surely have a severely detrimental effect on the site, surrounding area and their inhabitants, namely wildlife and residents. The canal itself is used as a feeding corridor by bats, owls inhabit the woodland and badgers are known to forage in the vicinity – we are concerned that 5 metre high columns – with up to 16,000 lumen (150w high pressure sodium lamps – will still have a detrimental effect in an area that is presently unlit.

The residents are also upset to learn that due to the track layout, trains will not be able to enter the site directly from main stretch of the Metropolitan Line. At present they would have to shunt all the way up the Croxley arm to Watford Met Station before being able to change tracks to enter the depot or continue on their journeys. Diesel trains will be working at night and weekends to prevent disruption to commuter services. Consequently anyone living in close proximity to the railway will be severely affected by noise and vibration at a time when presently there are few or no train movements on the line.

Protected species and other Wildlife

Assorted wildlife, too numerous to mention here, are known to inhabit or forage on the proposed depot site. It is not uncommon to see deer, grass snakes, slow worms, a huge variety of birds, several species of butterfly, to name but a few. In LUL’s Environmental Statement they have acknowledged the presence on the site of protected species in some areas and have indicated how they intend to mitigate these species. However, we find it difficult to imagine quite how a huge area covered in dense vegetation is going to be cleared in a way that will not harm the protected species. We wonder who it will be that ‘oversees’ the mitigation of the species protected by Law when LUL arrive with their heavy machinery to clear the site, The company that carried out the Environmental Study of wildlife last spring have kindly left some of their equipment, namely sheets of corrugated metal, strewn all over the site. Residents have since removed these, and other rubbish during a huge clear up. We are also delighted to report that an active badger set has been confirmed on the site.

Flora

Contrary to LUL’s opinion that the depot site is a buddleia infested wasteland, we have been contacted by several botanists who see the site quite differently. We have over 100 different species of plant growing on the site, including several that are rare in Hertfordshire and are protect by Law. As LUL have not acknowledged the existence of some of these plants, it is unlikely that they will be adequately protected if the site gets developed. English Nature and Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust are at present reviewing the Environmental Statement to take into account these concerns. Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust have confirmed that there are at least 10 indicators allowing the site to be considered for wildlife site status and it is now on their agenda for the next annual Wildlife Sites Ratification Meeting to be held in the Summer of 2005.

Use of the Canal during construction

LUL have planned to use the canal during construction of the depot. They intend to bring the majority of construction equipment by barge in an attempt to relieve road congestion in the local area during construction. This will involve closure of the canal towpath during the unloading of barges. LUL intend to gate the towpath, to protect public safety, during the unloading. They have estimated that, at the busiest times, there will be 4 barges per day unloading. This will involve closure of the towpath for between 30 and 60 mins per barge – a possible daily closure of 4 hours. This is a well used towpath and part of the National Trail. We are aware that some people use this towpath to walk/cycle to work. It is also well used for recreational activities including walking, cycling and fishing. There is no adequate alternative route around the site.

Dredging of the canal – In December, workmen were in the process of assessing the canal for dredging purposes. Both LUL and British Waterways deny that there are any plans for dredging this stretch of canal!!

Contamination of the Site

It is known that the site was previously used as a tip by LUL. We are aware that LUL possessed an asbestos licence. We are concerned that asbestos is not mentioned anywhere in the Environmental Statement despite evidence that asbestos is buried in the site. We also understand that train parts are buried in the site – more detailed surveys/research are required to clarify the exact contents of the site especially as several residents living close to the site use drinking water from bore holes. They are particularly concerned about the risk of contamination to their drinking water and do not believe that LUL have taken adequate steps to prevent contamination (the site lies in a ground water protection zone). Local residents are aware of severe surface flooding of the site from heavy and persistent rainfall – again, this concern has not been addressed in LUL’s Environmental Statement – there is a risk from contaminated run off water entering the canal and other water sources. It is also known that the area of the site known as the smallholdings was leased out by LUL and then subsequently tipped on illegally. This site is now known to contain non-inert waste. Part of this area is included in LUL’s application.