Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group update, December 2022

HS2 Commissioners visit
The HS2 Independent Construction and Residents Commissioners visited Wendover to help resolve our current issues in November. We’ve escalated HS2’s apparent avoidance of the night-time peak noise requirements in the Act to the DfT, and we await a response from the new Minister. On the Water issues Bucks Council and the Environment Agency now understand that both aquifer groundwater and surface storm drainage from the Wendover area will flow downstream increasing the flood risks in Stoke Mandeville and Aylesbury. They have asked for further consideration of the design before giving approval. We also pointed out the unreasonable number and timing of proposed closures of the A413 during the festive season, and inadequate roadside advanced warning. The Commissioners had some success with similar A413 problems at Little Missenden, and we’ll work with them on all three areas.

Construction works
Meanwhile work has started on building the temporary bridge for the Ellesborough Road diversion over the cutting works (top photo). This should enable dump trucks to cross the road without disrupting local traffic from next spring. A similar bridge has been installed for the Nash Lee Road diversion (centre photo). Piling work has also started for the Small Dean Viaduct foundations (bottom photo).

Planning submissions
In the Green Tunnel design submission there are landscaping proposals for about 25 acres near the old Cricket Ground, but we would like your feedback about how the area should be used. Should it become parkland, sports facilities, or a nature reserve? Thanks to those who managed to navigate the whs2.org website to give us their opinions. We would welcome more responses and a direct link is now available at www.whs2.org/survey.htm.

We’re still expecting the plans for the Small Dean Viaduct and Embankment to be submitted very soon, and these will become available on the Bucks Council/AVDC Planning Applications website (just search for “HS2”).

Got an HS2 problem?
Please make use of the HS2 Helpdesk (which is available 24 hours a day) on 08081 434 434 to register your complaints! The commissioners also advised us to make sure that your issue is registered as a “complaint” and get a case reference number to ensure some action. “Enquiries” may just get counted by HS2…

Want to get involved?
If you would like to help us “Do what’s right for Wendover”, have a look at our website whs2.org where you’ll find details of what we’re doing. If you need further help, want to join us, or have ideas and suggestions that would mitigate the community impact, then get in touch at enquiries@whs2.org.

Doing what’s right for Wendover
See whs2.org