Anti-HS2 march in Aylesbury today
Campaigners want to raise awareness for work that has already started in the town.
HS2 work has started at a site in Aylesbury.
Campaigners are meeting this morning and this afternoon to hold a socially distanced protest in Aylesbury.
Work has begun at the old Aylesbury golf course behind Fairford Leys and along the Oxford Road between the Fairford Leys roundabout and The Bugle Horn.
Organisers have asked anyone planning to join them to wear a mask and to ensure social distancing is maintained on the walk.
Groups of no more than 6 will walk between the Fairford Leys roundabout and the Bugle Horn.
Greatest Hits Radio Bucks will be speaking to organisers of the march this morning, updates to follow.
Yesterday, Aylesbury's MP Rob Butler question the Prime Minister about HS2 disruption in Wendover:
“My constituents in Wendover will be worst affected by the construction of phase one of HS2, according to the House of Lords.
“The best mitigation for the village would undoubtedly be a bored mined tunnel but that has been refused.
“Does my Right Honourable Friend agree with this decision, and if so, will he ensure that HS2 Ltd and its contractors will work constructively with the Wendover HS2 group to minimise noise pollution and avoid damaging the aquifer by other means?”
This comes after Lord Tony Berkeley and Wendover Parish Council launched a last-ditch appeal to the Department for Transport for a 4.2 kilometre mined tunnel to be built.
The Parish Council believes these particular designs would make the work cheaper and would mean the project is “less disruptive” to residents.
But as noted in a letter from Lord Berkeley to Andrew Stephenson, the minister responsible for the scheme, the HS2 select committee ‘rejected the bored tunnel solution primarily on the grounds of cost’.
In light of this, Rob Butler asked the Prime Minister for his thoughts on the refusal.
Responding to the Aylesbury MP, Boris Johnson said:
“As Prime Minister, I totally support HS2 and the ambition our linking our country up better.
“As a local MP I feel his pain and I understand exactly where he’s coming from.
“I’ve been assured in my conversation with HS2 that they are having extensive engagement with the Wendover group.
“I know Wendover well as he knows and I ask the relevant minister to make contact with him.”
Responding on Twitter Richard Lloyd, Aylesbury Town Councillor, said: “It’s a shame he didn’t answer the second part of your question.”
The HS2 route will pass narrowly by to the west of Wendover.