Wendover HS2 – June 2020

HS2 conFusion
We are surprised that (at the time of writing) Fusion are continuing to undertake HS2 Enabling Works with Archaeology surveying at the north end of the field next to the Wendover bypass. How can they justify keeping four diggers, four dump trucks and a gang of up to 20 surveyors busy since late January?

In April the HS2 “works in your area” website stated “The archaeology works which we have informed the community about have been put on hold” which may have been factually correct, as there doesn’t appear to have been any public notice for this activity.

Close to the cricket ground Fusion have fenced off the Right of Way paths across the field, but regrettably the width of the passage doesn’t allow 2 metres of social distancing should you encounter someone coming the other way. Boundary fencing of the site was also installed where the Rights of Way are going to be in ten years’ time; but regrettably needed to be moved to allow more archaeology surveys.

What seems strange is that this work is adjacent to where the tunnel excavation is planned. When we enquired it transpired that a further bout of surveys will be needed on the actual line of the track during the real construction (not enabling) works.