HS2 Monthly Report, Jan 24

Works update

·       The deck of the Small Dean Viaduct is being slid into position over four days starting 30^th January, with the A413 closed to all traffic for 24 hours from 05:30 on the 31^st.

·       The foundations for a 200m section of the Wendover Green Tunnel have been created just north of Ellesborough Road.  Excavation further north is delayed pending construction of the Dobbins Lane spring chamber as required by the Environment Agency.  Excavation south through Ellesborough Road is expected from March, following the works now in hand to divert the sewer and water main.

·       The HS2 Concrete Plant water supply pipe from Dobbins Lane over Folly Bridge was completed, having taken 22 months to install.

·       The pedestrian Right of Way between Ellesborough Road and Bacombe Lane was closed and is diverted over the new Bacombe Lane link road.

·       The issue about “rat-run” traffic on Hale Lane avoiding the planned closure of Rocky Lane for 6 months from February has yet to be resolved.

·       We still have no visibility of the overall works programme and progress against it.  HS2’s new CEO is re-baselining the entire project with conclusions not expected until mid ‘26.

Dobbins Lane / South Street HGV Access

·       WPC Amenities and Full Committee meetings considered residents’ feedback concerned about the planned use of Dobbins Lane and South Street by HS2 HGV lorries needed for the creation of a “Spring Chamber” in the fields at the end of Dobbins Lane. 

·       Both the Council and WHS2 oppose the scheme outlined in a document provided by EKFB if submitted for planning approval. This was raised with the Bucks Council Planning Officers who initiated a pre-application review with EKFB.

·       We have issued a report explaining our analysis and the potential outcomes.  [https://tinyurl.com/HS2DLHGVs].  While supporting the residents’ campaign to stop the HS2 trucks from using Dobbins Lane, we have identified that the access track proposed could be significantly rationalised and hence substantially reduce the number of lorry movements needed.  We are also mindful that any new access track poses a risk of future development in the fields.  We have suggested this to HS2 and EKFB; and await their conclusions about what design they submit for planning approval. 

·       WPC Parish and Ward Councillors have been invited to a project review and site visit with EKFB, HS2, and Bucks Council in early February.  We are proposing to convene a public meeting as soon as it is known that the application has been submitted.

Other WPC activity

·       We reviewed our 2025 key issues (of Noise Mitigation, Reinstatement and Landscaping; Post HS2 restoration and development) with Parish and Ward Councillors to understand the actions they can take.

·       In addition to the Dobbins Lane HGV feedback, nine public issues were handled in the month including nuisance from night time works at Nash Lee and inadequate PRoW diversion signage of the Bacombe Lane closures.