HS2 and Footpaths Since HS2 slices right through & 11 was for safety asked said it was someone else! Generally the parish of Wendover, our reasons while they the gate was open during working hours footpaths are obviously in the ripped out a hedge but closed during evenings and weekends, firing line. Wendover parish and destroyed a to the extreme aggravation of those trying stretches from halfway to Great badger sett, so to use the path. Walkers and, at a push, Missenden to Nash Lee Lane and that’s all right then. cyclists could climb over it, but it was no HS2 affects ten of our paths, see A photograph was go for horses, and it is, after all, called a https://prow.buckscc.gov.uk/ published on page bridleway. The clue is in the name. I have no standardmap.aspx. Disruption 16 of the April 2021 precise knowledge of what happened here, to footpaths is particularly print edition of but it seems the person who installed the significant for Wendover as Wendover News, gate may have been under the (incorrect) we derive a sizeable part of after the event. impression that the right of way status had our income from tourists Those who have been permanently, rather than temporarily wanting to enjoy our beautiful regular contact with withdrawn. Happily, the gate has not been surroundings. In addition to HS2 will find this locked for several weeks, so there is hope local paths, the parish is crossed relaxed approach to that the misunderstanding is resolved. by the Ridgeway, the Icknield public relations all HS2 works on Wen 13a Way, the Chiltern Way and the too familiar. Persons of Aylesbury Ring, all of which are a sensitive due to suffer disruption, with a consequent As the work gets closer to us, disposition would, loss of revenue. The reduction in walkers we can expect more mess and however, do well on the Ridgeway will certainly incur a cost, disruption. Fenced paths, such as to avoid the area as Wendover is either the first or last night Wen 11 from the station across the of Small Dean stop on the walk (depending on which way field to Ellesborough Road became Lane, where the most unpleasant to walk as they you’re going). scorched earth were ankle deep in mud, and tactics of HS2 are people who liked a gentle stroll enough to make Wendover is luckier than some of our across the field from Ellesborough you cry. Goodbye neighbouring parishes, in that when the Road to Bacombe Lane (Wen 13a) to the best line is finished, none of our paths will be were somewhat affronted to find a blackberry bushes closed or amalgamated. However, many of very long, strongly fenced diversion in the area and so them will be changed out of all recognition. around the field. many lovely trees. To take just one example, path Wen 39, On a recent walk a green lane between Rocky The kind here we passed Lane and Bowood Lane, will be of stress Wen 13A Bacombe Lane to dozens of orange transformed from a centuries c a u s e d Ellesborough Road suited persons, all old green lane between ancient by HS2 of whom greeted hedges, to a tidy fenced path is exemplified by us with huge smiles and polite remarks. Nice under a viaduct. HS2 apparently the saga of Wen try, HS2, but sending them to charm school think this is the same thing! It 57 and Small Dean doesn’t make them any more acceptable. seems likely that visiting walkers Lane. Wen 57 is the will not enjoy the new reality of bridleway alongside It seems HS2 is a plague we have to endure, noisy trains and ruined views, the bypass from but we can all observe their activities keenly so we can expect the financial Bacombe Lane to to keep them on the straight and narrow. effects to be long-lasting. Small Dean Lane. Anyone who wants to keep an eye on HS2’s There was a planned relationship with footpaths can click on HS2 are required to announce closure for 9 months https://bit.ly/3m2vjtR where all this type of closures and diversions well in for the bridleway activity is supposed to be shown. advance, and so far they have as a pylon was Val Brown been quite good at this though replaced. Annoying Volunteer Footpath Warden Bridleway Wen 57 I could not find any permission but perfectly legal. for the Chiltern Society at Bacombe Lane for their closure in February of The work was carried path Wen 11, over the railway at the station out and the bridleway reopened on time Editor's note: As we go to press, we are and Wen 6 off Ellesborough Road. With this but unfortunately someone had installed aware that several footpaths in Wendover closure they actually blocked a path that a gate at the junction with Small Dean and The Lee are planned to close in midwas officially designated as the diversion Lane, and this gate was heavily padlocked, April for 5 years for HS2 work. These include route for paths Wen 54 & 55, both currently blocking the bridleway. I could not find out 36, 38, 39 and 40 as well as a diversion for legally closed. The brief closure of Wen 6 who had installed this gate, as everyone I 37. 20
Wendover News May 2021
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