HS2 update reason to refuse our tunnel option. In an FOI response government documents that any delay caused by obtaining a TWAO would be caught up during construction.
Wendover’s. HS2 Ltd said that the geology past Wendover is not suitable for mining tunnels. The DfT recently released Geological Data confirming our view.
4. We said that when costs escalate, noise mitigation would reduce. HS2 Ltd said our fears were unfounded. Noise levels now 1. We said that changing the design to a planned for Wendover exceed WHO limits tunnel could be done with a Transport & and those reported to Parliament. Mitigation Works Act Order. (TWAO). The minister is being limited based on cost concerns. said that he couldn’t “reopen the act”. The government then used a TWAO to tunnel at 5. We said that slab track would be required for the project. HS2 Ltd said our concern Bromford. had no basis. HS2 Ltd has now specified slab 2. We said that tunnelling past Wendover track. saves money. (£300million). The minister said our proposal cost more. Government 6. HS2 Ltd said the HS2 noise prediction states that replacing a surface route with model was more accurate than the HS1 tunnel at Bromford saves £70 million. model. We were sceptical. HS2 Ltd now speak of HS1 model uncertainty for HS2 Tunnelling saves money, as we said. model results. 3. We said that tunnelling is faster and would cause no delay to the project. The 7. We said it is common for tunnels to have government said that project delay is a been constructed in similar geology to
8. DfT said that EKFB engineers repeatedly confirmed that mining a tunnel past Wendover was dangerous. We asked for confirmation. EKFB cannot confirm that they have provided that advice.
I’ve been reviewing what has been achieved during the last year of the WPC campaign for a tunnel past Wendover. We have with our allies and friends provoked questions in the House, informed Committees of State and challenged the DfT and HS2 Ltd. Here are a few of the highlights...
9. We said that mud on roads from HS2 construction was a safety issue. HS2 said they would put controls in place. Ask residents of Bowood Lane. Mud, damage and trespass but no controls. While we continue to push for a tunnel, because it’s the right answer for Wendover and for HS2, we are also conscious that as construction starts so does the disruption for you. We are working hard to ensure that HS2/EKFB become the good neighbours that they claim to want to be. Tom Walsh
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Wendover News February 2021
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