3 minute read
WENDOVER HS2 MITIGATION GROUP
Significant building works happening all around
EKFB are making progress with construction works in the Nash Lee Road area close to the Chiltern Brewery. Two temporary roads are being built from the roundabout at the North end of the Bypass to allow the excavation of the cutting through Nash Lee Road at the junction with Nash Lee Lane.
Our Public Rights of Way under threat
We remain very concerned that the few PROWs which remain open are under threat of closure for years without offroad diversion routes. We are also very concerned that these highly popular PROWs will never re-open, and this cannot be allowed to happen. You can see the map of where these are on our website www. whs2.org.
We have managed to get EKFB to keep the Public Right of Way open between Nash Lee Lane and Wellwick Farm which should allow walkers on the “Aylesbury Ring” to avoid needing to use main roads.
Further North the “ELL/20” path between the Triangle Business Park and Terrick is now closed for three years to allow construction of the line. Construction of culverts that allow massive dump trucks on the “haul road” to cross Stoke Brook is happening now.
Community mitigation funds
There are a small number of projects being successfully received for Wendover & surrounding villages. We encourage all groups to submit their pitches for mitigation funding. We have been supporting individuals who have been badly affected by HS2 plans, with some success. HS2 have reissued the Homeowner Payments Scheme, which now provides grants of up to £24,000 for people living within 300 metres of the line www.hs2.org.uk/documents/ homeowner-payment/.
Demise of Ellesborough Cottages
We understand that demolition of the empty cottages in Ellesborough Road has been delayed by Natural England until the end of March due to the presence of hibernating bats. Resulting spoil from the demolition should be removed for use in the site of the new access road that has been established to the bypass in the field behind the (now closed) Cricket Ground.
Small Dean Piling
HS2 started to “sheet pile” retaining walls next to the Chiltern Line at Small Dean where the viaduct will cross over. These walls will protect the railway line from significant excavation needed beside the line to form the foundations for the Small Dean Viaduct piers. Having been delayed on safety grounds due to the protestors in the tunnels in the vicinity, this work will now continue into January with more weekend Chiltern Line closures.
If you have ideas or suggestions that would mitigate the community impact, then get in touch at enquiries@whs2.org and we’ll assist however we can.