Local Environmental Management Plan (LEMPS)

This is where you can learn about how HS2 plan to reduce and monitor the effects of our construction work on the environment.

This Local Environmental Management Plan (LEMP) sets out site specific control measures to be adopted by HS2 contractors working within the London Borough of Ealing (LBE).

The High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act received Royal Assent on the 23 February 2017 and High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd has been appointed as nominated undertaker. HS2 Ltd’s Contractors will be carrying out construction works that are subject to the High Speed Rail Phase One Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs).

These set out the high-level environmental and sustainability commitments to be implemented during the planning and implementation of works along the Phase One line of route. The Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) forms part of EMRs.

View the HS2 Phase One environmental minimum requirements.

The CoCP requires the nominated undertaker to produce a Local Environmental Management Plan (LEMP) specific to each local authority area along the Phase One line of route. HS2 Ltd and its consultants have produced the initial LEMP for the LBE.

The Contractors working for HS2 Ltd are required to comply with and work to this LEMP, which is based on environmental information currently available to the project, including the Environmental Statement and subsequent Additional Provisions.

HS2 has been engaging with the LBE during the production of this LEMP. The most up to date version of the LEMP is published on the government website.

If, up to and during detailed design, new environmental baseline information comes to light (such as the identification of new sensitive receptors), then the LEMP will be updated to reflect these changes.

Core Working Hours

The Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) sets out core working hours as follows:

In addition, HS2 contractors will be permitted to do certain activities an hour either side of core working hours for start-up and close-down. This will include but not be limited to; deliveries, movements to place of work, unloading, maintenance and general preparation works. This will not include operation of plant or machinery likely to cause a disturbance to local residents or businesses.

Contractors must adhere to these hours for each site as far as is reasonably practicable or unless otherwise permitted under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

Except in the case of an emergency, any work required to be undertaken outside of core hours (not including repairs or maintenance) will be agreed with the local authority; Ealing, prior to starting any works. Activities that are likely to be done outside core working hours include:

In order to obtain a Section 61 consent from Ealing, any contractor working for HS2 would be required to demonstrate best practicable means. This includes the requirement to justify undertaking works outside of the core working hours. Running behind on the construction programme would not be considered reasonable justification for 24-hour working, and therefore, HS2 and Ealing would not allow a consent application to be submitted solely on this basis.

For more information on working hours, please see Information Paper D4: Working Hours.

We undertake our ecological work in accordance within the necessary regulations, powers and licences. This includes our unprecedented programme of wildlife surveys and new habitat creation.

Our approach is guided by the HS2 Act of Parliament and its Environmental Minimum Requirements. Ultimately, we are required to obtain the appropriate licenses from Natural England before undertaking any works that affect protected wildlife species. This includes species protected by the Habitats Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

We have organisational licences for work affecting great crested newts and badgers along the Phase One route, which are renewed every two years. Both we and our contractors obtain licences for works affecting other protected species on a site-by-site basis.