HS2 Monthly Report, July 24

Works update

·      Piling of foundations for the new Nash Lee overbridge has started, with Bucks Council approving works from 08:00 to 03:00 with noise levels up to 66dB.  Local residents have been denied temporary rehousing as the work is only for 8 “nights” in a 15 day period, which is less than HS2’s threshold of 10.

·      Work has started on the excavation of the underground tanking wall for the North Cutting between Folly Bridge and Nash Lee. We understand that Bucks Council consent has been given for Monday to Friday 24 hour working but have not yet received the formal details.

·      An underground power cable has been removed at Ellesborough Road which should allow completion of the “haul road”; enabling dump trucks to move spoil from Small Dean to Stoke Mandeville from August. 

·      The temporary traffic lights on the Ellesborough Road diversion are still in place, and no date has been given about when they will be removed.

·      We are continuing to press for the re-establishment of a safe cycle route between Dunsmore and Wendover following the closure of the Small Dean Lane Bridleway, including escalation with Bucks Council

·      There will be two weeks of nighttime closures of the A413 from 5^th to 15^th August to complete the final realignment of the road under the Small Dean Viaduct.

June to July WPC activity

·      A successful public meeting was held on 28^th June, with similar future information events being requested.  Feedback was mainly about the state of Ellesborough Road and concern about the impact of HGV traffic for works planned at the end of Dobbins Lane on the road surface and cycleway safety.

·      The Council agreed the proposal that WHS2 should take the lead on feasibility investigation to improve the water levels in Hampden Pond.

·      Seven public issues were handled in the month, including the Nash Lee Lane piling works, ongoing work at Ellesborough Road, and the Small Dean bridleway closure.

Current Issues

·      A meeting is being held with Greg Smith MP to review our current issues with HS2, with focus on escalation to the new Department of Transport Minister for HS2 of our public safety concerns resulting from the Small Dean Lane bridleway closure and our need for reasonable noise mitigation funding for North Wendover.  Pressure needs to be brought to bear on HS2 Ltd to change their policies.