Delay to reopening of Harvil Road
Harvil Road in Ickenham has been closed since Monday 8 January while HS2 completed the realignment of the new section of Harvil Road from the new junction for Skip Lane to the Dogs Trust.
The works to complete the new road were due for completion on Sunday 28 January with the new road opening for public use by midnight.
Council officers attended an inspection of the works on Friday 26 January with a view of signing off the required technical documents for the council to accept that the new road is safe to be opened for public use. Whilst carrying out the inspection, officers were informed that HS2 Construction Compliance Certificates have not been signed off by HS2 and without this documentation in place HS2 cannot allow the new road to be handed over to the council and be opened for public use.
This is most frustrating for all concerned but especially for local residents and users of Harvil Road who have had to put up with so much disruption over the last few years due to HS2 works that have closed this road on many occasions.
Harvil Road will remain closed until this process is finalised by HS2 but we are hopeful that everything will be ready for the new road to open for public use after a delay of around 1 week.
Harvil Road is being realigned as part of the HS2 works in the borough and, once completed, there will be a new section of road between Skip Lane and the Dogs Trust, a new entrance to Skip Lane from Harvil Road and a new bridge carrying the new road over the existing Chiltern Railway Line. The realigned road will be raised on an embankment that forms part of the 'cut and cover' Copthall Tunnel, which the HS2 railway will travel through underneath (as shown in image).
There are a lot of planned works that will involve traffic management on the current Harvil Road in 2 areas where the new road will 'tie-in' with the existing road, around the Skip Lane junction, and near the Dogs Trust, where the current HS2 Gate 2 site entrance will be relocated.
Harvil Road - Final road closure
HS2 and SCS have confirmed Harvil Road will be closed from Monday 8 January to Sunday 28 January to complete the realignment.
The road closure will take place in two phases:
- Phase 1 from Monday 8 January to Sunday 14 January - one week road closure at Skip Lane
- Phase 2 from Monday 15 January to Sunday 28 January - two week road closure at Dogs Trust
The road closures have been planned in two phase to allow access for businesses on Skip Lane and CERTAS Oil Depot at all times. There will be no access for emergency service vehicles during the three week road closure.
Phase 1 (Monday 8 January to Sunday 14 January) - road closure at Skip Lane
Access for Skip Lane and Oil Depot from Dogs Trust.
Please note: there will also be temporary traffic lights on the section between Dogs Trust and Skip Lane during the road closure.
Civils works Skip Lane
- Hillingdon street lighting works
- electrical installation
- road drainage and tie-in works
- traffic island construction
- road marking and signage
- kerb and pavement works
- fencing.
Phase 2 (Monday 15 January to Sunday 28 January ) - road closure at Dogs Trust
Access for Skip Lane and Oil Depot from Swakeleys Road/Harvil Road
Please note: there will also be temporary traffic lights on the section between Shorthill Cottage and Skip Lane during the road closure.
Civils Works Skip Lane
- traffic management re-arrangement
- Skip Lane sheetpiles cutting
- road drainage and tie-in works
- earthworks - backfill.
Civils Works Dogs Trust
- Hillingdon street lighting works
- electrical installation
- traffic island construction
- surfacing and road construction
- kerb and pavement works
- road markings
- safety barriers and fencing installation
VMS signage installation information - Harvil Road closure
Please refer to the map (circled in Red) showing the locations of the 6 VMS (Variable Message Signs) that have been installed in preparation of the upcoming Harvil Road full road closures. These signs have been active since Monday 4 December to display the upcoming road closures of Harvil Road.
Bus route U9 diversion during Harvil Road closures
TfL have confirmed that bus route U9 will run on diversion during the Harvil Road closures.
A full timetable will be in operation. Please check the TfL website (opens new window) for updates to the U9 bus route.