HS2 Monthly Report, June ‘24

Works update

·      The Ellesborough Road diversion is now due to be completed by 8^th July; which will enable the removal of the temporary traffic lights.

·      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 four weeks of nighttime closures of the A413 to complete the final realignment of the road under the Small Dean Viaduct from 22^nd July to 18^th August.

·      The new water pipe in the field behind Lionel Avenue is due to be buried by the end of September; removing the visual impact of security fencing which caused concern to local residents. 

June WPC activity

·      Councillors Williams, Porter and Ballantyne met Bucks Council’s HS2 officers to review Land Restoration and Traffic issues.

·      Preparations for the HS2 Public Meeting (to be held in the Memorial Hall on 28th June at 19:00) were undertaken, including publicity in local shops and some small street banners.

·      Five public issues were handled in the month; including the community impact of the Small Dean bridleway closure, two applications for HS2 funding and further disturbance at Nash Lee Lane.

Current Issues

·      Preparation for the “mass haul” movement of spoil from Small Dean to Stoke Mandeville appears to have stalled with no progress on excavation of the final section of the dump truck route between the old and new Ellesborough Roads.  This is thought to be due to yet another UK Power Networks cable that needs to be made safe.  This is likely to cause significant impact to the project timescales.

·      Discussion with Bucks Council suggests that they are confident that development of land returned following the HS2 works will be controlled by the existing Planning restrictions in the Green Belt and Natural Landscape (AONB).  The land associated with the cottages demolished in Ellesborough Road will be landscaped, along with removal of the old Cricket Pavilion.  Provision is to be made for a future cycleway between Ellesborough Road and Nash Lee.

·      Diggers have been readied for excavation of the underground wall to divert aquifer groundwater around the North Cutting, now that the Environment Agency has permitted the start of the works.

·      A proposal has been made that the Parish Council support the feasibility and costing of an artesian bore hole to boost the water levels in Hampden Pond, prior to seeking HS2 Community Funding of the works.