Trees saved from HS2 destruction near Great Missenden
Bucks Council have worked with local groups & HS2 designers
Last updated 6th Apr 2021
Trees which were going to be torn out for HS2 in Buckinghamshire have been saved.
Bucks Council say they've managed to protect some of the trees threatened on Leather Lane near Missenden, by working with local groups.
But they are limited in how much they can prevent.
Last month, thousands signed a petition against the trees' removal.
What has happened?
Buckinghamshire Council, Chilterns Conservation Board and local protestors have come together to save a number of trees which were due to be cut down in Leather Lane to make way for an access road HS2 are building just off the A413 between Great Missenden and Wendover.
HS2 told us this is for permanent works. The temporary access road will be built first – to take construction traffic off local roads – but it will be built within the permanent land take so no trees will be taken out just for the road.
Last month, revised designs came to light for Leather Lane, an ancient 'holloway', a deep, V shaped track, flanked by wildlife-rich hedges and trees, which has been used by local people for thousands of years.
Despite the Chilterns' holloways' featuring in the Detailed Design Principles - which HS2 must adhere to - the latest engineering led designs showed clearly that HS2 Ltd was planning to cut down significant numbers of mature trees along the length of the existing Leather Lane, and destroy parts of the ancient trackway.
Last week Buckinghamshire Council and the Chilterns Conservation Board met with HS2 Ltd's designers - EKFB - to challenge them to review and modify their plans. EKFB has accepted this challenge and has now confirmed that they will not be cutting down as many trees as we originally thought.
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Ian Thompson, Buckinghamshire Council's Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability said:
"The Council has always fundamentally opposed the construction of HS2, we fought the proposals through every stage.
"Not only do we disagree with the strategic case for the line, but most of all because of the devastating environmental damage and consequent impact on local communities.
"Since construction started in earnest last Autumn, our worst fears have been realised and we are seeing the beautiful Chilterns Area of Natural Beauty ripped apart, losing swathes of vegetation, trees and ecological habitats.
"We were assured that extra compensations would be made to protect the wildlife and woodland at these environmentally sensitive worksites, one of which is Leather Lane, and we are challenging HS2 Ltd to provide us with evidence that the necessary environmental safeguards have been put in place.
"Regrettably, due to the HS2 Act, our overall influence and control is limited on much of the HS2 scheme, but we are working with the Chiltern's Conservation Board and other partners to hold HS2 to account for their actions and I'd like to assure residents that we are doing all we can using the powers we have."
Dr Elaine King, Chief Executive Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board said:
"HS2 Ltd has had many years to plan and deliver what is now the country's largest major infrastructure project.
"The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a nationally protected landscape and we expect to see clear and consistent evidence that HS2 Ltd is treating it with the care and respect it deserves."
An HS2 spokesperson said:
“HS2 always works hard to reduce our impact on the environment and we are pleased to confirm that we have been able to retain more than 40% of the trees on Leather Lane.
"We are also reducing construction traffic on local roads by building a new access road and permanently realigning the lane across a new bridge, helping communities to stay connected.
“The construction of HS2 is playing a vital role in Britain’s economic recovery from Covid-19, with over 15,000 people already working on the project and tens of thousands of additional jobs supported through our supply chain.
"By providing a cleaner, greener way to travel, HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights, and help the country’s push to reduce carbon emissions.”