Barnaby Briggs (Assistant Chief Fire Officer) to provide a verbal report on the impact of the construction phase of HS2 on the Fire & Rescue Service prior to a full report in September 2020.
Minutes:
Barnaby Briggs (Deputy Chief Fire Officer) presented a verbal report regarding enabling work being undertaken for the HS2 rail scheme in anticipation of commencement of construction work in the longer-term. He confirmed that a written report had been scheduled for presentation to the Committee in September 2020 to provide a more detailed overview of the likely impact of the construction phase of the project on the Fire and Rescue Service.
Barnaby Briggs stated that the proposed HS2 route would intersect the County and necessitate highway realignment works, construction of three tunnels and five viaducts as well as installation of two construction compounds. He reported that proposals to establish ‘construction villages’ (in the form of multi-acre caravan sites) had been ruled out; instead workers would make use of local amenities. This decision prevented the imposition of a potential fire risk and had been welcomed by the Fire and Rescue Service.
Barnaby Briggs reported that, in his capacity as the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Liaison Officer, he was well placed to oversee the longer-term strategic implications of the HS2 scheme. He added that Mark Styzaker represented the Fire and Rescue Service during operational planning meetings with HS2 Ltd. He provided some examples of the types of planning measures that had been considered including development of electric trolleys to enable emergency access to tunnels and confined areas which were not accessible to fire engines.
Barnaby Briggs advised that implementation of the HS2 scheme would require a significant number of temporary road closures, including some which were remote from construction sites but constituted ‘choke points’ where increased haulage traffic was anticipated. He advised that traffic modelling had been utilised to anticipate the impact of the scheme on the highway network. The accuracy of the initial modelling exercises would determine the future value of this approach. He commented that an exemption from legislative requirements allowed HS2 Ltd to provide a shorter notice period to the Authority for proposed temporary road closures, which would ordinarily be six weeks.
In response to Councillor Reilly, Barnaby Briggs reported that engagement with district and borough council planning authorities was ongoing which included the Fire and Rescue Service as well as planning officers at Warwickshire County Council. He advised that a confidentiality agreement was in place to enable consideration of issues such as counter-terrorism but that he was confident that he had a complete view of all aspects of the scheme.
Barnaby Briggs acknowledged Councillor Reilly’s observation that an increased risk would be posed by the introduction of balancing ponds and open water resulting from construction activities. He stated that the Fire and Rescue Service had acted to anticipate the multiple hazards brought about by the scheme. He added that Fire and Rescue crews were equipped to respond to open water emergencies and that exercises would be undertaken to ensure that crews were primed for risks in specific locations, including confined spaces.
In response to Councillor Boad, Barnaby Briggs advised that HS2 would publish a programme of works in due course, but it was anticipated that the major engineering works would be undertaken prior to track laying activities. He acknowledged that engagement from HS2 had dipped during the period when the future of the project was in doubt, however he advised that there could be an advantage to inviting a representative of HS2 to attend a meeting of the Committee once the construction phase was underway. The Chair concurred that this could be a positive step.
In response to Councillor Reilly, Barnaby Briggs indicated that the Fire and Rescue Service would be prepared to contribute to a strategic safety assessment for the benefit of the Safer Warwickshire Partnership Board. He advised that the construction phase had been delayed but that he would be well placed to share information when plans for the scheme were brought into focus.