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Locals gear up to block HS2’s trucks

Photo Credit: Greg Smith MP

Residents of Wendover are set to protest against HS2's proposed use of South Street and Dobbins Lane as major routes for HGVs in the spring.

Locals have voiced strong opposition to the decision, citing concerns over increased traffic, disruption, and the heightened risks to both residents and cyclists in the area.

Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group say:

"Following a detailed evaluation of the North Cutting's impact on groundwater flows from the Coombe Hill aquifer, the Environment Agency has instructed HS2's construction contractor, EKFB, to take action to protect local water systems. Specifically, EKFB is required to carefully measure and increase the flow of water into Stoke Brook, located near the Kings Farm Shop.

As part of the mitigation efforts, EKFB plans to create a "Spring Chamber" – a concrete box approximately 3m square – to be buried in a field behind Kings Farm. An inspection manhole will also be included as part of the works. The Environment Agency has made it clear that this chamber must be in place before any further excavation of the Wendover Green Tunnel and North Cutting can proceed, with work set to begin around Nash Lee.

To facilitate the construction of the Spring Chamber, EKFB proposes upgrading an existing track to allow heavy vehicles to cross the fields at the end of Dobbins Lane. This route will also be used for ongoing maintenance access. In discussions with Buckinghamshire Council (BC) officers, EKFB has reportedly secured agreement in principle to transport materials and heavy equipment to the site via South Street and Dobbins Lane.

EKFB estimates that up to 12 Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) return trips per day could be required for the duration of the works, sparking concerns about the increased traffic impact on local roads, particularly South Street and Dobbins Lane, which are already under scrutiny due to the proposed HS2 HGV route."



The protest will take place on February 19th, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, outside the HS2 "drop-in" session at the Tennis Courts on Dobbins Lane.

A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd said:

“We are working hard to reduce disruption for local people during the construction of HS2 and will put in place measures to ensure safe access via Dobbins Lane. This includes making sure there is only a single HGV on the lane at any one time, limiting their speed to 20mph and managing the flow of vehicles to avoid the school run. Dobbins Lane is already used by HGVs and bin lorries – and there is no reason to think that properly managed HS2 traffic would pose a greater risk to pedestrians or cyclists.”

The protestors are calling on the Bucks Councillors, to address the safety concerns. A petition is also being circulated to gather support for alternative routes, with residents pointing to three viable options that have reportedly been dismissed by HS2 due to costs, delays, and environmental concerns such as hedgerow damage.

Bucks Council statement:

Cllr Peter Martin, Deputy Cabinet Member Transport (HS2/EWR) said:  “Buckinghamshire Council is in regular communication with EKFB (HS2’s contractor) about the details of the proposal and the access track.  The Council will formally respond once the proposal is submitted as a Town and Country Planning Act application and a decision is made. Unfortunately we have no control over when HS2 will submit that application.”

Local voices argue that the safety and well-being of residents should be a higher priority than environmental factors that can be mitigated. The protest is expected to draw attention to the community’s concerns and to push for reconsideration of the proposed plans.

David Cobb, a concerned resident in Wendover states:

“HS2 have explicitly not included communicating with any residents within their ‘hard workload’.  We can now infer that, since it takes less than 3 minutes to drive down Dobbins Lane, that HS2 may increase their HGV movements up to 20 lorries/hour!  There is no such thing as ‘safe access’ – but this is not just about Dobbins Lane – the HGVs will need to drive to reach the High Street end of Dobbins Lane and, in doing that, they will need to navigate the tortuous route along the always-congested South Street – which has the academy, St Mary’s Church users and nursery schools along its edges and then get across an awkward staggered junction at the mini roundabout which is forever witnessing ‘near misses’. HS2 are silent on the 2 or 3 vastly safer options which do not imperil the safety of pedestrians using these roads throughout the day. They need to be challenged openly on providing evidence that they have explored the alternatives because, to date, they are avoiding this issue.  Bin lorries, one day a week, crawl along stopping and starting and are a piece of everyday society functioning. They are surrounded by operatives walking alongside. It is facile to make such comparisons. There are relatively few HGVs in Dobbins Lane, like any other lane in Wendover, and HS2 are trying to give the impression their activity is at best marginal to the status quo. This is disingenuous. We need to get to the truth concerning any past communications between HS2 and Bucks Council on this matter because both parties’ integrity is being questioned by residents who feel that someone has sold their safety down the river.  Here HS2 are invited to park one of their intended HGVs outside the tennis club at their consultation event on the afternoon of 19th February so that they can attempt to reassure residents and pedestrians that size doesn’t matter. It does.”

A statement from Wendover Parish Council said:

We are aware of HS2's intentions to use Dobbins Lane as a route for HGV’s to access the land to the rear of Lionel Avenue, for the purpose of building a spring chamber to help balance water flows in the area.

Working with the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Group we have raised our concerns with Buckinghamshire Council and our local MP. This has led to correspondence from the MP and a significant number of complaints that have been shared with us. 

Sadly, we have no responsibility for determining if Dobbins Lane can be used by HGV traffic. However, WPC wishes to make it clear that we remain steadfastly opposed to any HS2 Heavy Goods Vehicles entering Wendover for multiple reasons, there are major safety concerns and will continue to work with all parties to try and find alternative solutions to this situation. 

We continue to work with the Wendover HS2 Mitigation Group to try and minimise the impact of HS2 on all residents.

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