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Over the past few months, we have introduced a number of improvements to the HS2 website and how we share information with you. As part of this work, we have now moved the contents of the HS2 in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire website to the In your area section of the HS2 website.
We will continue to provide local webpages and publish information about the progress of the railway in your area.
We have also published local community landing pages for each section of the route. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area.
We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from us and haven't already registered, please sign up directly at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it. Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .
We will no longer use this platform or Commonplace to publish information or issue emails to you. This website has now been archived. You can still access the materials that were originally available on this website by visiting the HS2 in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire overview page .
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Over the next few months, we will be undertaking the main earthworks in the location between the Chiltern Tunnel North Portal and Rocky Lane.
The earthworks consist of deep excavation, removal and movement of large quantities of soil between these areas in preparation to receive Align’s tunnel boring machine in 2024.
Additionally, we will be excavating the cutting for our internal haul road and the train line itself, removing and storing topsoil for the construction of our site access road.
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-works-notification-earthworks-update-north-portal/
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Following on from our bat surveys, we are continuing our established programme of bat mitigation works in the Chetwode area. To complete the bat mitigation and to enable this to happen safely we need to put a road closure in place.
A section of Main Street (The Green) in Chetwode will be closed from 23 August to 27 August 2021. The closure will be in place from 9.30am to 3.30pm.
The road will be open as usual outside of these hours.
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-notice-of-road-closure-chetwode/
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our ongoing pledge to keeping communities informed about the planning and delivery of the HS2 project, we are introducing a number of improvements to how we share information with you .
This is a reminder that we're moving your local website within the HS2 website.
This summer we will be moving the contents of this website over to the 'In your area' section of the main HS2 website. We are also changing the way that we issue email updates about the project and giving you more choice about how you would like to receive information from us.
We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.
We are now in the final stages of this transition which is expected to be completed by mid-August, however we will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.
Join the HS2 mailing list to continue to receive updates from HS2 about the projectWe will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.
Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our continued preparatory works, we need to undertake some further work in the Mixbury area including:
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-works-and-road-closure-mixbury/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As the project progresses and to further prepare for the main HS2 construction works, we are constructing a temporary roundabout on the A41 between Aylesbury and Waddesdon. The purpose of the roundabout is to improve road safety, facilitate the future realignment of the A41 and enable access to our site compound.
In order to complete the works and tie the roundabout into the current carriageway, we need to undertake a series of works along the A41. These will include:
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-a41-fleet-marston-temporary-roundabout/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our continued preparatory works for our internal haul and access roads we will be closing Stratton Audley Road, Chetwode, for approximately two weeks.
Stratton Audley Road will be fully closed, 24 hours a day, from Monday 9 August to Monday 23 August, with a diversion in place.
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-works-notification-road-closure-stratton-audley-road-chetwode/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
This is a reminder that as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping communities informed about the planning and delivery of the HS2 project, we are introducing a number of improvements to how we share information with you and are moving your local website within the HS2 website.
The contents of this website will be moving over to the 'In your area' section of the main HS2 website, and we are also changing the way that we issue email updates about the project to give you more choice about how you would like to receive information from us.
There are local community landing pages which have been published for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe, providing information about the HS2 route within each area. We will be adding further pages and information to each area in the coming weeks.
We are now in the final stages of this transition which is expected to be completed by mid-August, however, we will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.
Join the HS2 mailing list to continue to receive updates from HS2 about the projectWe will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.
Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Our works to build the railway are underway in the North Chilterns area. Over the next couple of months, you can expect to see works in the local area including:
For further information, please see our newsletter: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-north-chilterns-area-update-july-2021/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are holding virtual one to one sessions to enable you to find out more about HS2 works in your area.
You can book individual or group meetings of up to 3 people with our engagement team, who are available to answer your questions about the HS2 works in your area directly. These can be anything from questions around the HS2 construction that’s happening in your area to finding out more information about available community funding and job opportunities.
Book your one to one appointment by clicking on the following links below:
Twyford to Greatworth area - Tuesday 20 July, 3pm-7pm
Aylesbury area - Wednesday 28 July, 3pm-7pm
North Chilterns area - Tuesday 27 July, 3pm-7pm
Calvert area - Tuesday 3 August, 3pm-7pm
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
To mark the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology , we are holding a series of free online events so you can get involved and find out more about what treasures are being unearthed as we build the country's new high speed railway. The Festival of Archaeology runs from July 17 - August 1, shining a light on our past and how our ancestors lived.
Subjects we will be covering in the free online 'webinars' include:
We will also be holding our fourth weekend of open days at our Field Museum at St Mary's Church in Stoke Mandeville on Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.
Inside a specially constructed tent the size of a football pitch, archaeologists working on our behalf are currently excavating the remains of the former parish church of St. Mary the Virgin. This is a once in a generation opportunity to excavate the ruins of a medieval church and churchyard. Inside the museum you can ascend the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of ongoing excavations, as well as displays, films and finds to explore the history of St. Mary’s Church and the amazing archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area.
We’d love to welcome you onto site to explore this fascinating excavation, where you can learn about life and death in Stoke Mandeville over more than 800 years.
Tickets are available to book from 10am on Tuesday July 13 and booking will close at 5pm on Thursday July 22 .
Visit our event our events page to view details and book your ticketsDetailed joining instructions including our Health and Safety statement will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We would like to invite you to our ‘You Said, We Did’ online events and virtual exhibition to share the final designs for the Amersham Ventilation Shaft and Headhouse and the design for the surrounding landscape. These online 'webinars' have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area .
In September 2020, we held a public engagement event and you gave us feedback on four topics about our design and construction. We asked you to rank our objectives in order of priority and provide comments. Your comments and how we have taken on board feedback from the community regarding Landscape, Ecology, Design of the headhouse and Construction will be the focus of the virtual exhibition and online events.
Due to Covid-19 we have postponed all public face-to-face engagement events and meetings, but we will continue to find new ways to involve the community.
We are holding a series of three online ‘You Said, We Did’ events to show you the final design for the Amersham Ventilation Shaft. These online 'webinars' have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
Sign up to our online events to find out moreDuring the sessions we will:
Our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have during the event.
This event is being held on three dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
Useful links
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
WPD are continuing with the removal of the old overhead line and towers in the Turweston area.
During the week commencing Monday 26 July, we need to temporarily close a section of footpath TUW/7/1, at the edge of Turweston village. This short closure will enable us to remove one of the redundant towers safely.
We anticipate completing this work within a single, one day closure.
For further information and the local diversion route, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notice-of-utility-work-and-footpath-closure-turweston/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our extensive environmental programme, our contractors have now planted 700,000 trees and created over 100 wildlife sites along the route between the West Midlands and London .
The wildlife sites represent a mix of different habitat types, including grassland, woodland, scrub and ponds, and are already havens for wildlife including birds, bats, barn owls, badgers, great crested newts, butterflies and dragonflies.
Alongside our environmental contractors, we have designed tailored ecology plans that provide habitats for local wildlife and protected species including new badger setts, bat houses, bird boxes, reptile banks and bug houses, along with wildflower seeding, aquatic habitat creation and the reintroduction of native flora to help local wildlife populations thrive.
Up to 7 million trees will eventually be planted alongside the line from the West Midlands to London and we will leave behind more than 33 square kilometres of new woodland, wildlife and river habitats - the equivalent of 23 new Hyde Parks lining the spine of the country.
In addition, our Woodland Fund has also allocated over £1.2m as part of a grant scheme managed by the Forestry Commission, with 213,000 trees already planted including 92 hectares of new woodland creation and 52 hectares of ancient woodland restoration. For example, a project at Avon Wood in Warwickshire has created a diverse new 11-hectare woodland within three miles of the new railway. More than 18,000 new trees have been planted there, with 30% of the woodland being oak, with the rest mainly made up of hornbeam, alder, beech, lime, holly and birch.
We are continuing to progress with potential new schemes to be supported through the Woodland Fund, which could eventually support an additional 440 hectares of new native woodland creation as well as the restoration of 245 hectares of existing ancient woodland sites. Every habitat site is designed specifically to support local biodiversity, to link up existing wildlife habitats and create ecological networks which help to protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity and allow species to move through the landscape.
Examples of new habitats sites include:
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our continued preparatory works for our internal haul road, we are planning some local road closures for a period of approximately three weeks each. This work will involve the completion of the site access road crossings in each area and clearance of vegetation.
The works will commence in July and continue through to August. The closures will take place consecutively starting with Bowood Lane, then Leather Lane and conclude with the Rocky Lane crossing.
For further information, please see our notification: https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-works-notification-notice-of-temporary-road-closures-leather-lane-rocky-lane-bowood-lane/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
This week we have launched ‘Cecilia’, the second of the two tunnelling machines that will excavate the ten mile long tunnels beneath the Chiltern hills. The first machine ‘Florence’ was launched just over a month ago.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is named after pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who was born in Buckinghamshire, with the name suggested by pupils at the nearby Chalfont Community College and chosen in a public vote. It will operate alongside an identical machine named ‘Florence’, with each machine excavating separate northbound and southbound tunnels and will help to safeguard the woodland and wildlife habitats above ground.
Despite starting second, Cecilia will run slightly faster, aided by geological data fed back from Florence, meaning that both machines are due to break through at around the same time.
In total there will be ten TBMs working to create 64 miles of tunnel between London and the West Midlands for the high speed rail project which is already securing jobs and helping the UK to build back better from the pandemic. More than 16,000 jobs and over 500 apprenticeships are already being supported by the project which is set to transform transport links between Britain’s major cities, free up space on the rail network for more freight and local services and support the UK’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.
The first two TBMs are operated by our main works contractor, Align – a joint venture between Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – and launched from a site by the M25 to the north west of London. Designed specifically for the mix of chalk and flints under the Chilterns, the two identical TBMs are powered by zero carbon electricity and move at a speed of up to 15 metres a day. Each machine operates as a self-contained underground factory - digging the tunnel, lining it with concrete wall segments and grouting them into place.
Each tunnel will require 56,000 precision engineered, fibre-reinforced segments – which will all be made on site. A crew of 17 people will operate each TBM, working in shifts to keep the machines running 24/7. They will be supported by over 100 people on the surface, managing the logistics and maintaining the smooth progress of the tunnelling operation. Chalk excavated from the tunnels will be used for landscaping at the south portal site once construction is complete, creating wildlife-rich chalk grassland habitats across 127 hectares of the southern Chiltern hills.
Align is recruiting 1,200 personnel in total, including 100 apprentices, to work on the Central 1 Area of Phase One that it is delivering and are targeting their recruitment and investment to upskilling local people who are currently unemployed, with a particular focus on women, the under 25s and those with disabilities.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We will be holding our third weekend of open days at our Field Museum at St Mary's in Stoke Mandeville on Saturday 10 July and Sunday 11 July.
Inside a specially constructed tent the size of a football pitch, archaeologists working on our behalf are currently excavating the remains of the former parish church of St. Mary the Virgin. This is a once in a generation opportunity to excavate the ruins of a medieval church and churchyard. Inside the museum you can ascend the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of ongoing excavations, as well as displays, films and interactives to explore the history of St. Mary’s Church and the amazing archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area.
We’d love to welcome you onto site to explore this fascinating excavation, where you can learn about life and death in Stoke Mandeville over more than 800 years.
Tickets are available to book now and booking will close at 5pm on Thursday 8 July.
Book your tickets nowDetailed joining instructions including our Health and Safety statement will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our ongoing pledge to keeping communities informed about the planning and delivery of the HS2 project, we are introducing a number of improvements to how we share information with you .
This is a reminder that we're moving your local website within the HS2 website
This summer we will be moving the contents of this website over to the 'In your area' section of the main HS2 website. We are also changing the way that we issue email updates about the project and giving you more choice about how you would like to receive information from us.
We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.
We are aiming to complete this exercise next month (July) and will write to you again to confirm this nearer the time.
Join the HS2 mailing list to continue to receive updates from HS2 about the projectWe will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.
Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are starting construction of the internal access road and excavating the cutting to the south of the A422 as part of our works to build the railway. As we construct the line of the railway, we need to close or divert footpaths to allow the public to cross our works safely.
Work is now starting to the south of the A422.
Footpath WBB/17 near Westbury village will be closed from the 5 July 2021 and a new footpath will cross the line of route when our work is complete in the area.
For further information, please see our notification https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/early-works-notification-public-rights-of-way-closures-westbury/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We have obtained approval for an ambitious scheme which will use material excavated from the Chiltern tunnels to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats around the tunnel’s south portal .
The ‘Colne Valley Western Slopes’ project – which was approved under Schedule 17 of the HS2 Act by Three Rivers District Council and Buckinghamshire Council – will see the transformation of what is now a construction site into one of the largest areas of new chalk grassland in the Chiltern hills.
This will sit alongside new areas of woodland, wood pasture and wetlands, including almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species and nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. Around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes will give the public access to large parts of the site, which sits between the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns AONB.
Find out more about the Chiltern tunnel chalk grassland projectThe plans have been developed by our main works contractor, Align (a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick), working with Jacobs and LDA Design. As well as the landscaping, the approval also includes the design of the south portal itself and associated service buildings. Going forward, we and our contractors will continue to work closely with the planning authorities to develop the final restoration of the site.
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
There will be night-time slip road lane closures required on the M40 Junction 11. This will take place over the period 21 June to 17 July 2021, between the hours of 8pm to 6am.
We will be closing lanes on the northbound and southbound exit slip roads on the M40 at Junction 11. The lane closures are to enable completion works for the new traffic signals to the motorway slip lanes and ‘A’ road approaches. We will also be installing traffic detection surface loops which control traffic volume on the roundabout, and traffic monitoring cameras.
Please see our notification for further information https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-work-notification-notice-of-m40-j11-new-traffic-signal-installation/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We would like to invite you to online information events highlighting the ways in which we are preserving the quality and supply of water during our works in the Chilterns and the Colne Valley .
These online "webinars" have been set up to give residents the opportunity to hear and ask questions about:
Our team of experts will provide a presentation on the ways in which our construction has been designed to reduce impacts on ground and surface water. They will be available to answer any questions you may have during the event in a Question and Answer section.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite for the events on the following dates:
Please note registration closes 2 hours before each live event starts.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
This is a reminder that as part of our ongoing commitment to keeping communities informed about the planning and delivery of the HS2 project, we will be introducing a number of improvements to the ways in which we share information with you .
We’re moving your local website within the HS2 website
This summer we will be moving the contents of this website over to the 'In your area' section of the main HS2 website. We are also changing the way that we issue email updates about the project and giving you more choice about how you would like to receive information from us.
We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.
We are aiming to complete this exercise in July this year and will write to you to confirm this closer to the time.
We’re asking you to sign up for notifications to continue to receive updates from HS2
We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.
Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe in our Personal information charter .
Contact us if you have any questions
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We will be holding our second weekend of open days at our Field Museum at St Mary's in Stoke Mandeville on Saturday 26 June and Sunday 27 June.
Inside a specially constructed tent the size of a football pitch, archaeologists working on our behalf are currently excavating the remains of the former parish church of St. Mary the Virgin. This is a once in a generation opportunity to excavate the ruins of a medieval church and churchyard. Inside the museum you can ascend the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of ongoing excavations, as well as displays, films and interactives to explore the history of St. Mary’s Church and the amazing archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area.
We’d love to welcome you onto site to explore this fascinating excavation, where you can learn about life and death in Stoke Mandeville over more than 800 years.
The first round of tickets are available to book now and booking will close once the event is fully booked or at 5pm on Thursday 24 June, whichever comes first.
Visit https://stmarysfieldmuseum.eventbrite.co.uk for more information about this event and to book tickets . Detailed joining instructions including our Health and Safety statement will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.
The Government is due to make an announcement about the next stage of Covid-19 restrictions on Monday 14 June. Depending on what new guidance is provided by the Government a second round of tickets for the open days in June may be released on 15 June. If we are able to make additional tickets available we email you again to confirm.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Our works to build the railway are underway in the Twyford to Greatworth area. Over the next few months, you can expect to see the following works in the local area:
• Ground Investigation (GI) works and water monitoring;
• Utility works including trial holes and diversions;
• Continued set up of works compounds at A43, A422, A421 and A4421;
• Piling work at the A421 and A4421;
• Localised clearance of vegetation and fencing along the line of the route from Twyford up to Greatworth;
• Continuation of the access roads and drainage activities;
• Excavation, movement and storage of earthworks;
• The creation of several site access points from existing roads;
• Demolition of some structures along the line of the railway; and
• Demolition of the existing Finmere Bridge at the A4421 and installation of temporary bridges at the A4421 and A421.
For further information, please see our newsletter https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-twyford-to-greatworth-newsletter-june-2021/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As we progress our works to build the railway, we will construct our internal access roads in Twyford. In order to do this we will need to close some footpaths in the area. This will help support the construction of the access road and the HS2 rail line. We also intend to keep open throughout works to keep connectivity for walkers in the area.
For further information please see our notification https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-work-notification-public-rights-of-way-closures-twyford/
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As we progress our works to build the railway, we will need to create some crossings for our access road in Mixbury. These will be required where our internal roads cross the existing road network.
The works will be carried out on Featherbed Lane, Mixbury and will involve a road closure.
For further information please see our notification https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-notification-access-road-crossing-point-featherbed-lane-mixbury/
If you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
As part of our ongoing commitment to keeping communities informed about the planning and delivery of the HS2 project we are introducing a number of improvements to the ways in which we share information with you.
We’re moving your local website within the HS2 websiteThis summer we will be moving the contents of this website over to the 'In your area' section of the main HS2 website. We are also changing the way that we issue email updates about the project and giving you more choice about how you would like to receive information from us.
These changes will help to
We have published local community landing pages for each section of the route between London, the West Midlands and Crewe. These provide information about the HS2 route within each area. Over the coming weeks we will be adding further pages and information to each area.
Once we have moved all of the key pages and information from this website onto the HS2 website later this summer, we will stop updating this website. Visitors to this website will be signposted to the new pages within HS2.org.uk
At this point, we will stop publishing updates to this website and you will no longer receive email notifications from this website.
We are aiming to complete this exercise in July this year and will write to you to confirm this closer to the time.
We’re making changes to the way we share updates with you by emailIn addition to moving the local website we are also taking this opportunity to improve our mailing lists and create greater flexibility around how you receive information from us.
We will no longer be using this website or Commonplace to issue email updates to you. Instead, we are asking that you sign up to receive information from HS2 directly. We will continue to produce regular updates about the project, including notifications of our upcoming works, how it’s being constructed and what we’re doing to make it less disruptive.
If you would like to continue to receive updates from HS2 you can sign up for email notifications at engagement.hs2.org.uk/join-mailing-list . We will ask you to confirm your email address as part of the sign-up process.
Once we have moved across all of the pages and information from this website over to the HS2 website we will stop issuing emails from this website. Instead, you will receive emails directly from us about the parts of the project that you’ve expressed an interest in.
The personal information you provide will be handled in accordance with current data protection legislation and only used for the purposes for which you have provided it.
Find out more about what we will do to keep your information safe on our Personal information charter .
Contact us if you have any questionsIf you have any questions about these changes or would like some help signing up to receive email updates from us please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team, available all day, every day on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
A Buckinghamshire cricket club has secured nearly £10,000 from our Community & Environment Fund (CEF) to buy a new sit-on roller for the club’s ground based in Gawcott .
The £9,683 grant will enable Gawcott & Hillesden Cricket Club to replace its trusty and long serving push-along roller with a new motorised sit-on machine for its ground at Richard Roper playing fields. The new roller, made to order by Cornwall-based Poweroll, is due to arrive at the club’s facilities this month.
Since our Community and Business funds were launched in 2017, 53 projects in Buckinghamshire have shared over £3.15 million. Projects supported range from a new facility for a brass band charity in Amersham to the refurbishment of a play area in Charndon, making it inclusive for children of all abilities.
Community and Business Funds
With construction of HS2 underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ . You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We are holding virtual one to one sessions to enable you to find out more about HS2 works in your area.
You can book individual or group meetings of up to 3 people with our engagement team, who are available to answer your questions about the HS2 works in your area directly. These can be anything from questions around the HS2 construction that’s happening in your area to finding out more information about available community funding and job opportunities.
Book your one to one appointment by clicking on the following links below:
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Following feedback we received from the community about our plans for the Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse, we would now like to invite you to sign up to a free online event to share the final designs.
In November 2020, you completed questionnaires covering four topics: Landscape Design; Ecology; Headhouse Design and Construction, ranked our objectives in order of priority, and provided comments which will be covered in our 'You Said, We Did' webinars in May 2021.
During the webinars we will:
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding online events to update you on the design of the Little Missenden ventilation shaft and designs for the headhouse. These online "webinars" have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
Topic to be discussed inlcude:
Our experts will be available to answer any questions you may have during the event. This event is being held on two dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
We will be running the webinars via Microsoft Teams Live Events, which is a free to use online platform. If you have the Microsoft Teams app installed on your desktop or mobile device, the session will open automatically within that.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We have today announced the launch of ‘Florence’ – the first of 10 HS2 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) that will dig 64 miles of tunnel on Phase One of the UK’s new high speed railway. ‘Florence’ was launched from our South Portal site next to the M25 in West Hyde, Hertfordshire, at an event attended by HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson .
Florence, at 170m-long – the largest ever used on a UK rail project – will dig 10 miles of tunnel under the Chilterns, operating 24/7 for the next three years. Designed specifically for the mix of chalk and flints under the Chilterns, Florence and her identical TBM 'Cecilia,' will dig separate tunnels for north and southbound trains. Each machine operates as a self-contained underground factory - digging the tunnel, lining it with concrete wall segments and grouting them into place at a speed of around 15 metres a day. Each tunnel will require 56,000 precision engineered, fibre-reinforced segments – which will all be made on site.
A crew of 17 people will operate each TBM, working in shifts to keep the machines running 24/7. They will be supported by over 100 people on the surface, managing the logistics and maintaining the smooth progress of the tunnelling operation. Chalk excavated from the tunnels will be used for landscaping at the south portal site once construction is complete, creating wildlife-rich chalk grassland habitats across 127 hectares of the southern Chiltern hills. Find out more about HS2's tunnelling programme .
Named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale – a name suggested by local children due to her residence at nearby Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, and chosen in a public vote – the TBM will dig the first of a pair of 10 mile long tunnels under the Chiltern hills and help to safeguard the woodland and wildlife habitats above ground, before emerging near Hyde Heath. A second machine ‘Cecilia’ will launch next month to excavate the second tunnel at the South Portal site.
Built by Herrenknecht, a world leader in TBM manufacturing, at its factory in south-west Germany, the two 170m long machines were transported to the UK in more than 300 separate shipments last year , before being reassembled, tested and commissioned by an expert team of tunnelling engineers at the Chiltern tunnel south portal site, near the M25 to the north-west of London.
The first two TBMs will be operated by main works contractor, Align – a joint venture formed of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
Align is recruiting 1,200 personnel in total, including 100 apprentices, to work on this area of the project and are targeting their recruitment and investment in upskilling local people who are currently unemployed, with a particular focus on women, the under 25s and those with disabilities, helping us support the UK Government’s Plan for Jobs to protect, support and create employment during the COVID-19 crisis.
The names of the two TBMs were suggested by students at Meadow High School in Hillingdon and The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire, which are close to the tunnel launch site. They were inspired by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern medicine, and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin.
Useful linksIf you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Our dedicated education pages on the HS2 website have undergone a major redesign, with a collection of new resources to help teachers bring a careers context to curriculum learning with the aim of inspiring young people to take an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects and careers .
Teachers are able to find relevant resources much more easily through the introduction of a filter function, there are new resources available with supporting videos and also a workshop delivery guide with activities tailored to pupils ranging from the ages of 5 all the way up to 18.
View the new look educational resources pages - download guides, lesson plans, videos and worksheetsThe fresh look of the educational resources follows on from the introduction earlier this year of a suite of curriculum-linked projects designed to help teachers and parents home schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic when we were unable to deliver our regular programme of STEM workshops and schools were less able to take students 'off-curriculum' for career-themed activities during lockdown.
Created by our Skills, Employment and Education team, the resource pages include plans for STEM lessons which teachers can use to introduce a careers context to regular curriculum lessons. Activities take around 1-2 hours to complete and include using maths skills to work out how to construct a bridge across a motorway, researching the ecology of great created newts to create new habitats and using archaeological information to interpret the history of a site. Pupils also have the opportunity to design a new product to improve the customer experience when travelling by train and use their science skills to create an environmental improvement plan for their school.
We have also included a delivery guide for teachers who would like to run a STEM inspiration day in their school. This includes videos, teacher notes, presentations and worksheets for activities where students can develop their skills through hands-on and team build challenges to inspire them to become EPIC (Extraordinary People Initiating Change) engineers. Students develop their STEM powers, exploring the essential skills that are needed to be successful in a STEM career. Activities are underpinned by examples from the world of work, with students finding out about careers in transport infrastructure as they take on different roles in the challenges.
Activities include 'Stations of the Future': a team-based design-and-present activity where students compete to design a futuristic train station considering future trends and the needs of all customers and also tunnel building, where students design, construct and test a supporting structure for a cut and cover tunnel.
We have also introduced STEM projects accredited by the British Science Association, which, when completed, can be entered for a CREST Award. These are longer projects aimed at inspiring pupils to become scientists and engineers that encourage students to carry out independent research or investigation. The target age and duration of the projects vary.
The updated online resources also include activities adapted for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to encourage them to think about pursuing STEM careers. Downloadable lessons for SEND students include working in teams to design a train station, learning about ecosystems and building an insect hotel, and preparing for independent rail travel through role play.
Younger students aged between 7-11 can also get involved in shorter activities ranging from making rail tracks from everyday materials, solving puzzles and planning a railway route.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We would like to invite you to a free online event to share the final designs of the Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse, following feedback we received from the community about our plans during engagement events in November 2020 .
After the public Design Input event, you completed questionnaires covering four topics: Landscape Design; Ecology; Headhouse Design and Construction. We asked you to rank our objectives in order of priority and provide comments which we will cover in our 'You Said, We Did' series of webinars in May 2021.
During the webinars we would like to:
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding online events to update you on the design of the Little Missenden ventilation shaft and designs for the headhouse. These online "webinars" have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
We will discuss:
Our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have during the event. This event is being held on three dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
We will be running the webinars via Microsoft Teams Live Events, which is a free to use online platform. If you have the Microsoft Teams app installed on your desktop or mobile device, the session will open automatically within that.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We would like to invite you to our field museum at St Mary’s Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, where you will be able to discover how archaeologists have started to unlock almost 900 years of history.
The St Mary’s site is unique and we are providing a rare opportunity to excavate and understand the history of this building, how its use and meaning changed over time and what it meant to the community of Stoke Mandeville. The burial ground at St Mary’s was in use for 900 years, with the last recorded interment in 1908. The team of 40 archaeologists working on the site will be able to construct a picture of the role of St Mary’s in the local community from its construction in the 11th Century through to its decline in the late 19th Century.
The St. Mary’s Field Museum will open to the public on the weekend of 29th and 30th May, and at regular dates throughout the summer .
Inside a specially constructed tent the size of a football pitch, archaeologists working on behalf of HS2 are currently excavating the remains of the former parish church of St. Mary the Virgin as part of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to learn more about the ruins of a medieval church and churchyard.
Inside the museum you will be able to ascend the viewing platform for a bird’s eye view of ongoing excavations, as well as watch displays, films and interactives exploring the history of St. Mary’s church and the amazing archaeological discoveries in the surrounding area. Our experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
Tickets will be available to book from 17 May and booking will close at 10am on Friday 28 May .
When tickets become available, please choose your arrival time from the following time slots when completing the booking form. These time slots are available on Saturday 29 May and Sunday 30 May.
Detailed joining instructions including our Health and Safety statement will be sent to all registered attendees closer to the time.
In 2018 LP-Archaeology began initial work and a comprehensive series of archaeological excavations, surveys, and building recording has followed, revealing well preserved walls and structural features of the church. Last year we revealed that unusual stone carvings, medieval graffiti and other markings had been found, with questions raised as to whether they were sun dials or witching marks.
Earlier this year works began on the final phase of excavations at the site. A large “tent” structure was constructed over the whole church and churchyard to protect it from the elements and provide a stable environment for the excavations to take place. This covering also helps the archaeologists give those people buried there the dignity, care and respect they deserve.
Over the next six months, a dedicated team of archaeologists, assisted by engineers, will remove the remaining structure of the church and excavate all of the individuals buried in the churchyard. All artefacts and human remains uncovered will be treated with dignity, care and respect and our discoveries and stories of what life was like in Stoke Mandeville over a 900-year period will be shared with the community through open days and expert lectures.
More information is available on our dedicated St Mary's Church webpage .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Archaeologists have begun unlocking almost 900 years of history at St Mary’s Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire.
The Old St Mary’s Church in Stoke Mandeville was built in 1080AD, shortly after the Norman conquest that transformed Saxon England. Renovated in the 13th, 14th and 17th Centuries, it played a central role in the community, furnished with a variety of extensions and the construction of a brick bell tower. The site sits on the line of the new HS2 route and is being carefully removed by a team from LP-Archaeology, working with our enabling works contractor, Fusion-JV.
The construction of a new church closer to the centre of the village in the 1880s saw the building abandoned and it fell into disrepair. According to local accounts, a child was killed by falling masonry in the 1930s, and by 1966 the building was considered so dangerous that the Royal Engineers were drafted in to demolish it. Over the next 50 years the rubble pile left became overgrown with vegetation, blending into the surrounding greenery, meaning newcomers to the area may have been unaware of the existence of the church building there previously.
The St Mary’s site is unique and we are providing a rare opportunity to excavate and understand the history of this building, how its use and meaning changed over time and what it meant to the community of Stoke Mandeville. The burial ground at St Mary’s was in use for 900years, with the last recorded interment in 1908. The team of 40 archaeologists working on the site will be able to construct a picture of the role of St Mary’s in the local community from its construction in the 11th Century through to its decline in the late 19th Century.
In 2018 LP-Archaeology began initial work to carefully pick apart the rubble mound. A comprehensive series of archaeological excavations, surveys, and building recording has followed, revealing well preserved walls and structural features of the church. In October last year, we revealed that unusual stone carvings, medieval graffiti and other markings have been found, with questions raised as to whether they were sun dials or witching marks.
In early 2021 works begun on the final phase of excavations at the site. A large “tent” structure was constructed over the whole church and churchyard to protect it from the elements and provide a stable environment for the excavations to take place. This covering also helps the archaeologists give those people buried there the dignity, care and respect they deserve.
Over the next six months, a dedicated team of archaeologists, assisted by engineers, will remove the remaining structure of the church and excavate all of the individuals buried in the churchyard. Around 3,000 burials are expected. Before work on the burial ground began a virtual blessing was given by the Bishop of Buckingham. All remains will be reburied in a local spot to be determined, with a specially created monument to mark the location.
All artefacts and human remains uncovered will be treated with dignity, care and respect and our discoveries and stories of what life was like in Stoke Mandeville over a 900-year period will be shared with the community through open days and expert lectures. Our archaeology programme seeks to engage with all communities both local and nationally to share the information and knowledge gained, as well as leaving a lasting archival and skills legacy.
More information is available on our dedicated St Mary's Church webpag e .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Ambitious plans to create 127 hectares of new grasslands and woodlands around the southern portal of our Chilterns tunnel have been enabled by an innovative solution to reuse the waste chalk slurry generated during the tunnel’s construction .
Two giant tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will spend three years boring out 2.6 million cubic metres of chalk beneath the hills to create the new high speed rail network’s 10-mile long twin bore tunnel. The chalk cut away by the 170-metre long TBMs will be mixed with water before being pumped out as slurry back along the tunnel to its entrance.
Slurry from boring the tunnels will be processed on site at a construction base just inside the M25 motorway – avoiding the need to transport the waste off site for reprocessing elsewhere. Once out of the tunnel, the chalk and water slurry will be separated on site in a giant, purpose-built slurry treatment plant (pictured) where it will be pressed through ever-finer filters until all the water is removed to leave behind a dry chalky “cake”.
One of the key challenges the separation process faces is preventing the thickening slurry from clogging up the filtering machinery. Working with its supplier MS, which has delivered the slurry treatment plant, our civils contractor Align opted to use a polymer specifically developed to be effective with Chilterns chalk, which will enable the entire separation process to happen in around a week.
The chalk cake will be used to deliver the Colne Valley Western Slopes project - part of our Green Corridor programme to re-establish the locally distinctive chalk valley landscape and create the right growing conditions for calcareous grassland across the site.
The initiative will be a major contributor in helping us meet our carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gain in the Colne Valley, reducing road haulage, and enabling habitats to sequester carbon by replacing arable land with natural habitats. Almost 65,000 trees and shrubs comprising 32 species will be planted together with nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. Around 90 hectares of chalk grasslands will be created and areas of historic woodland reinstated.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Our construction partner for the Chilterns Tunnels and Colne Valley Viaduct, Align joint venture, has taken an innovative step to reduce the use of single use plastic on its construction sites .
Analysis of Align’s purchasing data showed that the joint venture, which is made up of three companies, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, was using over 100,000 pairs of disposable blue plastic overshoes in indoor areas at its construction sites every month.
Neil Hancox, Align’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Director, who spotted the data trend collaborated with the company’s family-run supplier of construction consumables to come up with an innovative and more environmentally friendly solution. Within a matter of weeks, Crawley-based OnSite Support Ltd returned with a prototype shoe made from recycled Taslan.
Each pair of the newly designed overshoes contains recycled material from six plastic bottles. The product is also fully washable and has an anti-slip sole to offer better grip on slippery surfaces. The new shoes, which have been developed in three different sizes to meet the needs of male and female workers, are now in use across our Align construction sites. Within the first month, the shoe covers had proven effective in reducing littering as well as contributing to Align’s target to ensure that 70% of plastic is recycled or reused by the end of the project.
OnSite Support is among the latest innovation-led SMEs to join our supply chain. Over 2,000 companies have already won work on the project, 70% of which are SMEs and over 95% are based in the UK.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are holding virtual one to one sessions to enable you to find out more about HS2 works in your area.
You can book individual or group meetings of up to 3 people with our engagement team, who are available to answer your questions about the HS2 works in your area directly. These can be anything from questions around the HS2 construction that’s happening in your area to finding out more information about available community funding and job opportunities.
Book your one to one appointment by clicking on the following links below:
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
The 100th freight train arrived at our main construction site in Buckinghamshire this week, as the latest figures show that construction of the UK's new high speed railway has helped the rail freight industry bounce back from the pandemic.
The first 100 trains - operated by DB Cargo and Hanson for our contractor EKFB – have so far delivered 150,000 tonnes of aggregate for use around the Calvert Railhead. Transporting this material by rail instead of road has already taken the equivalent of 7,500 HGVs off local roads and cut over 24,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
The temporary 26,200 sq/m Calvert Railhead being built EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial and Bam Nuttall – will be the main construction and logistics hub during work on the central section of the railway. New temporary access roads will then be used to move people and materials from the railhead, helping to take construction traffic off local roads. Once the new railway is built, the railhead and temporary access roads will be removed and the site landscaped, leaving only a small infrastructure maintenance depot.
Despite being seriously affected last year, the amount of freight on Britain’s railways in the last three months is now 2% above pre-pandemic levels. Construction traffic, including that from our sites, showed the largest increase, according to figures released by the Office for Rail and Road earlier this month. Across the whole project, 15,000 freight trains are set to haul 10 million tonnes of aggregate to construction sites – taking the equivalent of 1.5 million HGVs off the UK’s roads.
At the peak of construction, more than 650 people will work at the Calvert Railhead. They will be some of the 4,000 jobs set to be created by EKFB over the next two years, constructing an 80km section of the railway between the Chilterns and south Warwickshire, including 17 viaducts, 81 bridges and three ‘green tunnels’.
The railhead is also next to a section of disused railway which is being brought back into use as part of the East-West rail project which is set to link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Aylesbury and Cambridge. The two teams are working closely together on their construction plans, and we are set to deliver three bridges and 3km of earthworks along the southern edge of the Calvert site on behalf of East-West Rail.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Our works to build the railway in the Twyford to Greatworth area are underway and we will be working at Finmere Bridge (A4421) to create our haul and access road crossing.
The works will involve a series of road closures at Finmere Bridge, Newton Purcell to carry out the following activities:
Vegetation clearance on the existing Finmere Bridge
Surveys and trial holes
Construction of a hard surface to support a crane
Demolition of the existing Finmere Bridge
Removal of the materials and remedial works
Creation of the access and the new haul road crossing
For further information please see our notification https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notice-of-work-at-finmere-bridge-a4421/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We would like to invite you to our second ‘You Said, We Did’ online event and virtual exhibition to share the final design for the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal and the design for the surrounding landscape. This online 'webinar' will take place on Thursday, 25 March, from 6.30-8pm and has been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
Since spring 2018 we have held a series of information events with the local community to share details on the progress of the designs, construction, and to seek views and respond to feedback for the Colne Valley Western Slopes, the South Portal and Colne Valley Viaduct. The webinars and online exhibition are the latest in that series.
Sign up to our online event to find out moreDue to Covid-19 we have postponed all public face-to-face engagement events and meetings, but we will continue to find new ways to involve the community. At the online ‘You Said, We Did’ event, you will hear from the team designing and building the railway and our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
During the session we will:
This event will take place on:
View or download our Chiltern Tunnel South Portal and Colne Valley Western Slopes 'You Said, We Did' engagement boards, March 2021:
Useful links
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of the preparatory works building the railway, Western Power Distribution (WPD) will be undertaking utility works in Finmere. The following works will take place:
• Complete the utility diversion
• Featherbed Lane road closure between 29 March - 11 April
Further information including the diversion route can be found here:
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-works-notification-notice-of-utility-work-and-road-closure-mixbury/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Amersham Cricket Club and Prestwood Methodist Church in Great Missenden are the latest Buckinghamshire recipients to be awarded grants from our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) .
The pavilion at Amersham Cricket Club in Shardeloes will be refurbished with a CEF award of £65,330. The funding will be used to reclad and replace the roof of the building to make it watertight. The pavilion is a unique wooden structure which complements the grounds, although it is in need of repair and the new cladding and roofing will retain its aesthetic charm and ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Prestwood Methodist Church in Great Missenden received a £4,000 CEF award towards the cost of replacing four windows in the main hall. The funding will also be used to replace an existing access door and emergency exit door with aluminium-framed units. As a safety measure, the lower panels in the windows and doors will be fitted with non-glass blanking panels.
Prestwood Methodist Church, Great Missenden
Since our Community and Business funds were launched in 2017, £9million has been awarded to projects between London and the West Midlands. In Buckinghamshire, a total of 47 projects have shared over £2.7million. Projects have ranged from upgrades to swimming pools, improved children’s play areas, to a new café and visitors centre at Wendover Woods.
Community and Business Funds
With construction of HS2 underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ . You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of ours to build the railway we will need to carry out works on the M40 Junction 11.
There will be a slip lane closure on the M40 J11 on 12 April 2021 between the hours of 20:00hrs to 06:00hrs.
We will be closing the southbound exit slip road on the M40 at Junction 11. The works will enable the installation of road surface ‘loops’ for the new traffic signals to the motorway slip lanes and ‘A’ road approaches.
The night-time closure will require a diversion along the M40 to Junction 10.
Further information, including the diversion route map please go to:
https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/hs2-works-notice-of-m40-j11-new-traffic-signal-installation/
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Preparations for the launch of our first giant tunnelling machines increased this week as the first of 112,000 wall segments for the Chiltern tunnel rolled off a purpose-built production line at the project’s tunnelling HQ close to the M25 .
The project’s first two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) - named Florence and Cecilia - are due to launch in early summer. Each of the 170-metre long, 2,000-tonne machines will spend more than three years underground, digging and slotting the wall segments into place to create the 10-mile long tunnels.
Made of high-performance fibre-reinforced concrete, the segments are being produced at a temporary pre-cast factory next to the TBM launch pads at what will be the south portal of the tunnels. This will avoid putting extra HGVs on local roads and ensure a steady supply of segments for the TBMs.
Construction of the Chiltern tunnel, and nearby Colne Valley Viaduct, is being led by our main works contractor, Align JV - a joint venture made up of three companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. Work on the two structures will support around 1,200 jobs.
Once construction is complete, the pre-cast factory and the rest of the south portal site will be cleared, with the chalk excavated from the tunnels used to landscape the site and create high-quality chalk grassland and other wildlife habitats.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Construction of the UK’s longest railway bridge began this week, with an expert team of ground engineers sinking the first of almost 300 piles that will form the foundations for the Colne Valley Viaduct .
The viaduct, which will carry the new high-speed rail line for 3.4km across a series of lakes and waterways on the north west outskirts of London, will be almost a kilometre longer than the Forth Rail Bridge and carry trains travelling at speeds of up to 200mph.
Set low in the landscape, the design was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water, with a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, carrying the railway around 10m above the surface of the lakes, River Colne and Grand Union Canal.
The structure will be supported by 56 piers, with the widest spans reserved for where the viaduct crosses the lakes, and narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes and help complement the natural surroundings.
Over the next year, engineers from HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick – will construct 292 piles under the ground to support the viaduct piers.
On top of each group of piles – some of which will go up to 55m into the ground - a concrete pile cap will support the pier which will in turn support the full 6,000 tonne weight of the bridge structure above. Instead of hammering the piles into the ground, holes will be bored before being backfilled to create the pile. The main deck of the viaduct will be built in sections at a temporary factory nearby before being assembled from north to south.
Over the last six years, HS2 has worked closely with Affinity Water and the Environment Agency to monitor water quality and agree working methods. These will be monitored by a team of specialist engineers during construction in order to protect the natural environment.
An extensive programme of test piling has already been completed with engineers sinking 12 piles at two locations with geological and structural data from these tests fed back into the design of the viaduct. This has resulted in a 10-15% reduction in the depth of the piles and associated time and cost savings.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have introduced a new, user-friendly interactive map to the HS2 website, making it easier and simpler for you to find out what current and upcoming works we are carrying out in your area .
The new In your area map brings all of our work notifications together on one page, making it easier for you to navigate and ensure you are kept up-to-date on the work we are doing to deliver the new railway. There is also a text only view , which allows you to view the information in a table and filter results for each area.
Each work item, highlighted on the map with a 'hard hat' icon, lets you know:
You can easily see any other works we might be doing nearby, also pinpointed with an icon.
We will be introducing further improvements to the mapping tool and to this local website over the coming months. We will keep you informed of changes as they happen through our regular email notifications and our local engagement events and activities.
We'd like your feedbackWe'd like to know what you think about the new mapping tool and ways that we can improve it, to ensure that you can easily find information about the delivery of the railway in your area and how to contact us if you have any questions.
Let us know your views by completing our In your area map feedback survey .
Contact us if you have any questionsIf you have any questions about the recent changes or would like some help using the new interactive map, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
An ambitious scheme designed by our landscape architects, ecologists, engineers and soil specialists, aims to reuse construction materials to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats that will substantially enhance the local natural environment.
Chiltern Tunnel South Portal Aerial View
The Colne Valley Western Slopes project will be a major contributor to help meet our carbon reduction targets by delivering significant ecological gains. It will also reduce the carbon footprint of the project by cutting road haulage and waste treatment activities and arable land will be replaced with natural habitats.
Plant species and habitats are being carefully selected to be resilient to a changing climate. Almost 65,000 trees and 32 species of shrubs will be planted, together with nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows. Around 90 hectares of calcareous grasslands, which once thrived on the valley slopes, will also be established and areas of historic woodland reinstated. The project, being designed and delivered by our civils contractor Align, will provide wider health and recreation benefits for neighbouring communities, including providing new connected green spaces and around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes.
Arable land that is initially needed for a major works compound to construct the Colne Valley Viaduct and Chilterns Tunnel will be transformed by reusing existing soils and recycling three million m3 of chalk taken from the tunnel excavation, as well as concrete and limestone aggregate materials used in the construction process. Reusing materials instead of transporting them away by road will significantly reduce carbon, while the excavated material will be used to re-establish the distinctive local chalk valley landscape, replicate natural drainage flows and establish the right growing conditions for calcareous grassland across the site.
Calcareous grasslands, which develop on shallow soils overlying chalk or limestone, are a valuable, scarce and rapidly declining habitat in the UK, with this decline reflected in both the Colne Valley and adjacent Chiltern Hills. The neighbouring Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is currently thought to support around 700 hectares of chalk grassland.
This collaborative project will provide a unique opportunity to create one of the largest extents of such habitat in this area. New planting and seeding will create an extensive mosaic of habitat that will potentially be colonised by hundreds of species of flora and fauna, including invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Align is currently preparing the site for the launch of the two tunnel boring machines that will excavate the 16km-long Chiltern Tunnels. Once launched in 2021, the site will receive a continuous supply of chalk until tunnel completion in 2024. Field trials are in preparation ahead of final seeding, and planting of trees and shrubs in 2025. At peak, around 1,200 people are expected to be employed in the design and construction of the Chiltern tunnels and the viaduct, with 50 opportunities for apprentices.
Sign up to our online events to find out moreYou will be able to see the full plans at our dedicated ‘You Said, We Did’ online webinars which are taking place on:
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We would like to invite you to our ‘You Said, We Did’ online events and virtual exhibition to share the final design for the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal and the design for the surrounding landscape. These online 'webinars' have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
Since spring 2018 we have held a series of information events with the local community to share details on the progress of the designs, construction, and to seek views and respond to feedback for the Colne Valley Western Slopes, the South Portal and Colne Valley Viaduct. The webinars and online exhibition are the latest in that series.
View or download our Chiltern Tunnel South Portal and Colne Valley Western Slopes 'You Said, We Did' engagement boards, March 2021:
Due to Covid-19 we have postponed all public face-to-face engagement events and meetings, but we will continue to find new ways to involve the community.
At the online ‘You Said, We Did’ events, you will hear from the team designing and building the railway and our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
During the sessions we will:
This event is being held on two dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
Useful links
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We will be carrying out utility works as part of our work to build the railway.
WPD paused work in November 2020 and will return to site in March 2021 to complete the diversion works. WPD built all but two high voltage towers in 2020 and left the site ready for work to recommence in 2021. In March 2021 the overhead line works will begin and will be diverted off the existing towers onto the underground cable section. These works are planned to be completed by August 2021.
Please see our notification for further information
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We will be carrying out utility works as part of our work to build the railway.
WPD work paused in September 2020 and will return to site in March 2021 to complete the diversion work. In March 2021 the overhead line works will recommence, the towers will be installed and diverted off the existing towers onto the underground cable section. These works are planned to be completed by August 2021.
Please see our notification for further information
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We are delighted to announce that from today (Monday, February 22), applications are now open for residents across Phase One and Phase 2a of the HS2 route to become Local Community Representatives .
As part of the Construction Commissioner Steering Group (CCSG), you will represent your community, share and communicate a range of experiences and perspectives as Britain’s new high-speed railway is built, and also help to monitor the performance of the Independent Construction Commissioner (ICC).
We are seeking to recruit a number of Local Community Representatives to sit on the CCSG, which is independent of HS2 and the Department for Transport. The Group meets three to four times a year, in either Birmingham or London (when attending physical meetings) and also virtually.
For more details about these exciting opportunities and how to apply, please click on the links below. If you have any questions about the CCSG or about becoming a Local Community Representative, you can also contact: community@hs2.org.uk
Applications close on Friday, March 26, 2021 .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have introduced a new and innovative approach to tackling Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS), saving money - an estimated £1.8m in the Colne Valley - time, and carbon output by minimising soil excavation and heavily reducing waste to landfill.
INNS are recognised as a major cause of biodiversity loss in the UK, and are unwelcome intruders in many areas. Non-native plants such as Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam, Giant Hogweed and Rhododendron are becoming more common to our landscapes, to the detriment of native habitats. Working with AECOM, we have implemented an effective strategy which drastically reduces waste creation, only implementing offsite disposal of soil contaminated with INNS and their seeds if other solutions are not feasible.
Traditionally on infrastructure projects, all soil containing INNS plants, rhizomes and seeds would be removed from site, including excavation of a larger buffer zone, and disposed of according to current legislation for controlled waste. Instead, we are implementing measures focused on biosecurity and ‘surgical’ excavation, avoiding most of the costs and lorry movements associated with waste disposal, while assuring removal of the problem.
Our contractor Fusion JV worked with specialists in AECOM to manage a range of INNS, including the removal of significant areas of Japanese Knotweed in the Colne Valley area. Minimising excavation saves substantial time, cost and carbon footprint by heavily reducing waste to landfill, resulting in cost savings estimated at £1.8m. The site preparation works by Fusion JV for the 3.5km Colne Valley Viaduct involved extensive herbicide treatment followed by 4,700m3 of Japanese Knotweed-infested soil removal, all executed with strict biosecurity protocols within the Mid Colne Valley Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Conventional excavation of the Japanese Knotweed would have required vastly more soil to be removed, including areas adjacent to waterbodies in the Colne Valley, which would have necessitated major temporary works and significantly more waste disposal and imported backfill. Through a more strategic approach involving avoidance, partial removal, selective re-use, and capping instead of simply transporting away soil potentially impacted by INNS material, the excavation requirements were less than 30% of original estimates.
AECOM uses an array of different methodologies focused on biosecurity, including soil protection, fencing and washdown stations, as well as in situ herbicide treatment. Alongside detailed specialist surveys and minimised excavations, this approach reduces environmental impacts and lorry loads of waste that would otherwise be transported away from site to landfill.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The final works required to complete the A413 junction, including road closures on the A413.
The main works will involve:
• Planned closure of the A413 at Bottom House Farm Lane in both directions from the week commencing 1 March 2021.
• Overnight diversions on the A413
• Completion activities for the final road surfacing, traffic light installation and white lining
• Widening the existing lane from Upper Bottom House Farm to the A413
• Excavating holes and using construction machinery
For further information please see our works notification
You might notice some additional traffic on local roads and noise from equipment used for the works, but we will mitigate any environmental impacts including noise and traffic.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
The final design for the latest of our ‘barn design’ headhouses providing ventilation and emergency access to the 10 mile-long Chiltern tunnel has been revealed . Residents can find out more about the design and construction of the Chalfont St Giles vent shaft and headhouse at a dedicated community online information event on Thursday, February 11 and also on Monday, February 15 .
Set into a fold in the Chiltern Hills near Chalfont St Giles, the headhouse is designed to fit into the surrounding landscape and takes its inspiration from the style of nearby barns and other agricultural buildings. We engaged with the Chilterns AONB Review Group and Buckinghamshire Council during the development of the designs and held a series of public engagement events to gather views from the local community.
Like the nearby headhouse at Chalfont St Peter - which gained planning permission last month - the single-story building will be wrapped in a simple grey zinc roof with doors and vent openings picked out in a dark bronze colour to provide contrast. The pre-weathered grey zinc roof will age naturally over time, without loss of robustness or quality, while the whole structure will sit on a simple dark blue brick base. Below ground level, a 43-metre ventilation shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels below, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature, remove smoke in the event of a fire and provide access for the emergency services.
Mature trees along the existing boundary will be retained as far as possible and once construction is complete the whole site will be landscaped with new trees and hedgerows planted to help screen the site from neighbouring properties. Within the site boundaries, species-rich grassland habitats will be created, designed to further blend the site into the surrounding Chiltern Hills.
Material excavated from the shaft will be used to create much of the landscaping and avoid putting extra lorries onto local roads. A new temporary marshalled lorry holding area has also been established on the A413 near Gerrards Cross where HGVs can be held until their approach to the vent shaft site is clear, helping to reduce congestion and eliminate queueing at the site entrance.
The plans were drawn up by our main works contractor Align JV (Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, working with design partners Jacobs and Ingerop-Rendel, the architect Grimshaw and landscape designers, LDA).
Sign up to our online events to find out moreIn February 2020 we held an event to share our plans for the Chalfont St Giles vent shaft and we are now able to share how your feedback has been incorporated into the design at our 'You Said, We Did' online engagement events.
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding these online events to update you on the design of the Chalfont St Giles ventilation shaft and to also provide an update about our construction works at the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft. These online "webinars" have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
During the sessions we will discuss:
Our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have during the event.
This event is being held on two dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
In February 2020 we held an event to share our plans for the Chalfont St Giles vent shaft, the construction processes, traffic management plans and the early plans for the layout of the construction site.
After the public Design Input event, you completed questionnaires covering four topics: Landscape Design; Ecology; Headhouse Design and Construction. We asked you to rank our objectives in order of priority and provide comments and we are now able to share how your feedback has been incorporated into the design at our 'You Said, We Did' online engagement events.
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding these online events to update you on the design of the Chalfont St Giles ventilation shaft and to also provide an update about our construction works at the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft.
Sign up to our online events to find out moreThese online "webinars" have been set up to give the local community the opportunity to hear from the team designing and building the railway in your area.
During the sessions we will discuss:
Our team of experts will also be available to answer any questions you may have during the event.
This event is being held on two dates, please select which date to you would like to attend when registering:
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Our works to build the railway in the Twyford to Greatworth area are underway and we will be working at Finmere Bridge (A4421) to create our haul and access road crossing.
The works will involve a series of road closures at Finmere Bridge, Newton Purcell to carry out the following activities:
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We have launched our brand-new jobs site to promote the estimated 20,000 roles that Phase One of the project is creating in the months and years ahead, the first time all opportunities to work directly on HS2 have been available to search in one place.
This follows the Prime Minister's announcement of the 22,000 job opportunities available on the high speed rail project, when officially starting construction in September 2020. The initiative has the backing of the Department for Work and Pensions and a Memorandum of Understanding, which sets out the agreed roles and responsibilities of HS2 Ltd and its job brokerage partners, is in place between the two organisations.
The new digital platform, hosted on the HS2 website , offers those looking for work or a change of career, the opportunity to search the very latest vacancies with our construction partners and station contractors delivering the London to Birmingham section of the railway. The jobs board allows prospective candidates to search for vacancies by region or specialism, so they can quickly identify opportunities that match their criteria.
In September 2020, our four main works contractors and two station construction partners estimated that they would create over 20,000 jobs to support the decade-long construction programme for Phase One of the project. The jobs board, highlighting opportunities to work with us within the supply chain, makes it easier for jobseekers to navigate and find a position that matches their career aspirations.
It has been developed as part of a job brokerage partnership model, bringing together local authorities, enterprise partnerships, charities and employment support services along the 140-mile route of the first phase of the new railway. Job brokerage partners will play an integral role in supporting individuals from local communities, disadvantaged and underrepresented groups into employment on the project, in line with objectives set out in our Skills, Employment and Education Strategy.
We have already supported 13,000 jobs, including more than 400 new apprenticeship starts and over 550 previously unemployed individuals. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we and our contractors also supported over 100 work experience placements to ensure that individuals are actively engaged with the programme and have the very best opportunity to capitalise on future career openings.
The start of main construction works last year was a catalyst for the project, spearheading £12bn of contract opportunities which British businesses are beginning to bid for. As our tier one contractors begin procuring suppliers and services required to deliver their work packages, the number of job opportunities will increase. This heightened demand has created new career pathways and long-term career prospects for individuals at all levels, in both blue and white-collar roles.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The first of five headhouses that will provide ventilation and emergency access to HS2’s ten-mile long Chiltern tunnel has gained planning approval from Buckinghamshire Council.
We engaged with the Chilterns AONB Review Group and Buckinghamshire Council during the development of the designs for the Chalfont St Peter headhouse and held a series of public engagement events to gather views from the local community.
The Chalfont St Peter headhouse is designed to fit into the surrounding landscape, taking its inspiration from the style of nearby barns and other agricultural buildings. Set back from the road, the single-story building will be wrapped in a simple grey zinc roof with doors and vent openings picked out in a dark bronze colour to provide contrast.
The pre-weathered grey zinc roof will age naturally over time, without loss of robustness or quality, while the whole structure will sit on a simple dark blue brick base. Below ground level, a 78 metre ventilation shaft will reach down to the twin tunnels below, with fans and other equipment designed to regulate air quality and temperature, remove smoke in the event of a fire and provide access for the emergency services.
Mature trees along the existing boundary will be retained as far as possible and once construction is complete the whole site will be landscaped with new trees and hedgerows to help screen the site from neighbouring properties. Within the site boundaries, species-rich grassland habitats will be created, designed to further blend the site into the surrounding Chiltern Hills. Material excavated from the shaft will also be used to create much of the landscaping and avoid putting extra lorries onto local roads.
A temporary access road has already been completed to link the site with the A413, Amersham Road. This allows construction traffic to avoid the centre of Chalfont St Peter and stop heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) driving past Robertswood School and the Epilepsy Society. A new temporary marshalled lorry holding area has also been established on the A413 near Gerrards Cross where HGVs can be held until their approach to the vent shaft site is clear, helping to reduce congestion and eliminate queueing at the site entrance.
The plans were drawn up by our main works contractor Align JV (Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick, working with its design partners Jacobs and Ingerop-Rendel, the architect Grimshaw and landscape designers, LDA).
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our preparatory works, we are continuing with our ground investigation (GI) and utility trial holes. These works will be carried out on or adjacent to the road. Due to the works being carried out in a confined area, we are required to put in place short duration road closures.
For further information please see our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
As part of our preparatory works we are continuing with our Ground Investigations (GI) and utility works. For this we need to carry out utility trial holes and surveys.
For further information please see our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Competing against 500 other nominees worldwide, HS2’s main works civils contractor Align JV and civil engineering company Roadbridge have won a Green Apple Environment Award in the Innovation category for their use of thermal camera drones to spot Skylark nests.
The Green Apple Awards are run by the Green Organisation – an independent international environment group that recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world.
A thermal camera drone used for surveys
Align JV, responsible for delivering the section of the highspeed railway which includes the Chiltern Tunnel and the Colne Valley Viaduct, worked with its contractor Roadbridge, to introduce thermal camera drones to dramatically improve the accuracy of nesting birds’ surveys, helping to protect the species and enable faster and more effective results for ecologists working on the project.
As ground-nesting birds with well camouflaged nests, Skylarks are very difficult to survey. However, using a thermal camera, the drone can calibrate to the ground temperature and other objects to lock onto a heat source and identify the birds’ nests extremely accurately. This includes birds on the nest, eggs on the nest and birds sheltering on the ground.
At 12 metres above ground level the drone captures an area of approximately 9m2, which reduces search times and provides a clear perspective from a 90 degree view of the ground below. Exclusion zones are then put on Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and into the Global Positioning System (GPS) of machinery working on site to let operators know when they are working near exclusion zones, to protect nests and allow works to progress safely.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
With many parents supporting children who are learning at home during the current time, we have developed a range of interesting curriculum-linked projects to work on at home. These include shorter activities ideal for families supporting younger children with learning at home and pre-planned lessons that secondary school teachers could set students as part of their curriculum learning.
The online resources were created as a result of us being unable to visit schools to deliver our regular programme of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops because of Covid-19 restrictions and also schools being less able to take students 'off-curriculum' for career-themed activities due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.
Our Skills, Employment and Education team has created plans for STEM lessons which teachers can use to introduce a careers context to regular curriculum lessons. The activities are expected to take 1-2 hours to complete and are aimed primarily at 11-14 year-olds. Lessons include using maths skills to decide on how to construct a bridge across a motorway, researching the ecology of great created newts to create new habitats and using archaeological information to interpret the history of a site. There are also longer STEM projects and workshops available online, where students can develop their skills through hands-on and team build challenges to inspire them to become EPIC engineers.
During the past year, five HS2 colleagues have become Enterprise Advisors for schools for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our work with these schools revealed a demand for STEM activities adapted for SEND students, to encourage them to consider STEM careers. Online lessons for SEND students include working in teams to design a train station, learning about ecosystems and building an insect hotel, and preparing for independent rail travel through role play.
Younger students aged between 7-11 can also get involved in shorter activities ranging from making rail tracks from everyday materials, solving puzzles and planning a railway route.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our preparatory works, we are continuing with our ground investigation (GI) and utility trial holes. These works will be carried out on or adjacent to the road. Due to the works being carried out in a confined area, we are required to put in place short duration road closures.
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Over 300,000 trees will be planted by our specialist ecology teams across the Phase One route during the winter months, taking the total number of trees planted between London and the Midlands to more than 730,000 by this spring .
The planting initiative is part of our extensive Green Corridor programme, designed to create a network of bigger, better-connected, habitats and new green spaces for people to enjoy. 430,000 trees have already been planted across Phase One and up to 7 million trees will eventually be planted along this part of the route, with many new grasslands, meadows and recreational areas for local communities.
This short video highlights progress so far in the delivery of the Green Corridor.
In West Ruislip , planting will create new woodland areas to provide connected habitats for bats . Trees being planted include field maple, hornbeam, hazel, holly, bird cherry, mountain ash, yew and spindle. There will also be areas of grassland and ponds created to protect local biodiversity and create new homes for a mix of wildlife.
Through Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire , advanced planting and woodland compensation planting is being undertaken at West Hyde and Horn Hill, Wendover Dean, Aylesbury, Calvert and near the village of Ladbroke, by specialist ecology and landscape companies.
In Warwickshire and the wider West Midlands , 60,000 trees will be planted at locations around South Cubbington Wood, Ashbeds Wood, Fulfen Wood, Ravenshaw and Broadwells Wood. A broad range of tree and shrub species will be planted to reflect each local area , including oak, hazel, birch, holly and hawthorn. This builds on the 80,000 trees already planted in the Midlands, with 40 ponds and many acres of wetland, heathland and meadow also created across the region.
These areas will quickly develop to create new opportunities for wildlife and people, bolstering local wildlife corridors by linking with existing woodlands and other habitats. New wildlife habitats in a variety of locations also include badger setts, bat houses, bird boxes, reptile banks and bug houses to help local wildlife populations thrive.
Green Corridor prospectus and mapping toolWe have developed a new online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and highlighting our additional funded environmental projects along the route. You can view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and our environmental works in your area.
The Green Corridor Prospectus accompanies the map, outlining how the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities. Used together, these tools will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.
Funding is available for a wide range of independent environmental projects to benefit nature and communities along the route , including creating new parks and play facilities, investing in green spaces in urban areas, regenerating areas along canals, and conserving and enhancing the historic environment. By working in partnership with organisations and individuals, the Green Corridor will deliver a positive, long-term legacy for the natural and historic environment , and for people and communities across the country.
On Phase One and Phase 2a, the £7m HS2 Woodland Fund is helping local landowners create new native, broadleaf woodlands and restore existing ancient woodland sites. The first £1.25m has been allocated as part of a grant scheme managed on our behalf by the Forestry Commission, supporting 28 woodland projects that will deliver approximately 105 hectares of new woodland and restore a further 68 hectares of ancient woodland.
For more information about funding available and how local groups can apply please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Our works to build the railway in the Twyford to Greatworth area are underway. This includes early earthworks in preparation to build the HS2 route and the construction of compounds.
For further information please see our newsletter
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We have recently published some new documents which may be of interest to you. This is part of our commitment to keeping you informed about HS2 progress and construction activities in your area.
Community engagement report: January to June 2020We have published the fifth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from January to June 2020, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
View and download the Community Engagement Progress Report: January to June 2020 report. A collection of all our reports to date can be found on the HS2 website .
We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.
Green Corridor prospectus and mapping toolAs part of our commitment to conserve and enhance Britain’s natural environment as we plan and build the railway, HS2 is creating a Green Corridor along the route, a network of joined up habitats, landscaping and community-based environmental projects.
We have developed an online map showing where we are delivering Green Corridor activities and where additional HS2 funded environmental projects are being delivered along the route. You will be able to use the map to view relevant Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) projects, the Woodland Fund, other local panel funds, and HS2 environmental works in your area.
We have also published a Green Corridor Prospectus to accompany the map. The prospectus outlines the many ways the Green Corridor and associated funding can benefit communities, for example, through the creation of new play facilities, investment in green spaces in urban areas, regeneration along canals, and conservation and enhancement of the historic environment.
Used together the Prospectus and the online map will enable community and environment groups to identify local opportunities to enhance and enjoy the natural environment using the funds available.
As you will know there are a number of grants available to support environmental projects and improve green spaces in your constituency, such as the HS2 Community & Environment Fund and the Woodland Fund. If you would like to know more about how local groups can apply for funding please visit www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/hs2-green-corridor .
Construction activities in your area, Winter 2020We are committed to providing you with information about what construction activities will be happening in your area and when. Our construction forward looks include information on construction, environmental and survey activities planned over the next three months. The latest edition is available to view and download on the works in your area page .
Please note that the dates and information included in the forward look may be subject to change as the programme develops and any changes will be updated in the next edition of the forward look.
HS2 Helpdesk remains available all day, every dayAs a reminder, over the festive period the HS2 Helpdesk will continue to operate all day, every day , including Christmas Day and bank holidays. You can contact us for free on 08081 434 434, by Minicom on 08081 456 472, or by email at HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
We have produced Traffic Information Guides to give you detailed information about traffic during the construction of the HS2 main works from Great Missenden to Godington. The traffic information guides show the routes used by HGVs to construction works compounds and forecast vehicle numbers, as well as some useful information about the controls we have put in place.
The Traffic Information Guides will be made available to communities and stakeholders along the route in areas that are taking part in the initial pilot. As part of this, we would welcome any suggestions you may have about these guides. Once this pilot is complete we will be working to produce similar guides with our other construction contractors across Phase One of the route.
Please see attached traffic information guides
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
Our first two Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) have arrived in the UK ahead of their launch early next year. The two 170m-long TBMs are the largest ever used on a UK rail project and will start to be assembled on site this week, ready to begin digging the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnels.
TBM Florence during manufacture
The two enormous 2,000 tonne machines, named Florence and Cecilia, will now be reassembled, tested and commissioned at the on site by an expert team of tunnelling engineers, before they start work on the high speed rail project’s first tunnels. Built by Herrenknecht, a world leader in TBM manufacturing, at its factory in south-west Germany, the two machines were transported to the UK in more than 300 separate shipments over the course of two months.
Sections of the TBMs ready for assembly on site
The ‘twin bore’ Chiltern tunnel will be the longest on the project and the first to start construction, with the TBMs working underground 24/7 for more than three years. Designed specifically for the mix of chalk and flints under the Chilterns, the two identical TBMs will dig separate tunnels for north and southbound trains, with Florence set to launch first and Cecilia to follow a few weeks behind.
Each machine operates as a self-contained underground factory, which as well as digging the tunnel, will also line it with concrete wall segments and grout them into place as it moves forward at a speed of 15 metres a day. Each tunnel requires 56,000 segments which will all be made on site. A crew of 17 people will operate each TBM, working in shifts to keep the machines running 24/7. They will be supported by over 100 people on the surface, managing logistics and maintaining the smooth progress of the tunnelling operation.
The TBM seals at the South Portal
These first TBMs will be operated by our main works contractor, Align – a joint venture of three international infrastructure companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. Align expects to recruit 1,200 vacancies, with over 100 opportunities for apprentices. Recruitment and investment will be targeted at upskilling unemployed local people, particularly women, under 25s and those with disabilities.
The TBM names were suggested by students at Meadow High School in Hillingdon and The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire, which are close to the tunnel launch site. They were inspired by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern medicine, and pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin. Around 4,500 people from across the UK took part in the poll to select the final names, with Florence taking 40% of the vote and Cecilia a close second with 32%.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
One of Britain’s oldest schools, the Royal Latin School in Buckingham, is the latest beneficiary of the HS2 Community and Environment Fund after securing a £75,000 grant to transform their sporting facilities.
Architect's drawing of the completed sports campus (Image courtesy of the Royal Latin School)
The project will mean that a new sports campus at the school will be created, containing a large fitness suite, mind and body zone, sports lab and a seminar space. The new facility will be available to community groups outside of school times as well as being used by school pupils during the school day. The facility is being built around three themes – ‘energise, enjoy and excel’. Pupils and the local community will be energised to participate in sport and physical activity through a wide variety of activities that they can enjoy and encouraged to excel with state-of-the-art facilities. There will even be visits from elite athletes.
People of all ages will be encouraged to participate and, with a programme of seminars and links with the University of the 3rd Age, the aspiration is to attract older people and adults who may have been less active since leaving school.
The funding of this project and two others this month means that 133 projects have now shared over £8million. Fifteen projects in Buckinghamshire have shared over £2.5 million between them, nearly a third of the total allocated so far. This week, our Chief Executive Officer Mark Thurston will be virtually visiting the National Paralympic Heritage Trust in Stoke Mandeville. He will hear how they continue to work through the pandemic and are using £250,000 CEF funding to deliver their project to record local Paralympic history, while reaching out to local communities, encouraging cohesion, connectivity and well-being through a wide range of activities.
Community and Business Funds
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ . You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We will be holding online information events in December about High Speed Two (HS2) and the construction of the Chiltern Tunnel South Portal and looking ahead to the building of the Colne Valley Viaduct.
These online “webinars” have been set up to give residents the opportunity to hear and ask questions about:
This event is being held on two dates, please select which date to attend when registering;
Please note registration closes 2 hours before each live event starts.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
During January 2020, we asked for views and ideas on some of the detailed aspects of three of our proposed Common Design Elements (CDEs): parapets, piers and lineside noise barriers.
We received 457 replies and our Survey Response Document summarising these has now been published on our website .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our preparation works we will be carrying out some Ground Investigations (GI) along a section of Preston Bissett Restricted Byway 5A (track open to vehicles, walkers, cyclists and horse riders), near Preston Bissett.
For further information please see our notification
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding the below online events to share information about what we're doing in each area. Following earlier news posts issued about these events, we wanted to follow up with a reminder in case you still want to signup to attend.
Signup to the Calvert Area Update webinar, 18 November 18:00 - 19:00Calvert will eventually be home to the Infrastructure Maintenance Depot (IMD) along the HS2 route. As the works are starting to develop, we want to invite you to come and find out more information about what to expect in your local area.
During this session you can hear from our early works contractors Fusion, who will provide a background to the works they have completed and what is still to come and also from our main works contractors, EKFB, who will provide a look ahead for the coming months.
Our environmental experts and project teams will be available to talk about how the Calvert works are developing, what you can expect in the area and answer any questions you may have.
Signup to the Amersham Works Update webinar, 30 November 18:00 - 19:00As part of a series of junction improvements across Buckinghamshire we are making improvements to the roundabout junction of the A355 and A413 known as the Gore Hill roundabout. These works are being undertaken as the A355 and A413 forms one of the construction lorry routes for the HS2 programme of works. As the works are starting to develop, we want to invite you to come and find out more information about what to expect in your local area.
During this session you can hear from our early works contractors Fusion, who will provide a background to the works they have completed and what is still to come and also from our main works contractors, Align, who will provide a look ahead for the coming months.
Please also view our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Following our previous news post about the webinars available to find out more about Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse design engagement, we've added another new webinar date for 19 November which you can sign up to here.
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding this online event to share information about the design and construction of the Little Missenden Headhouse.
Please view our Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse information boards before completing our online survey . The survey will be available to complete until 23:59 Sunday 29 November 2020.
Please visit our dedicated Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse web page for more information.
If you have any questions about the Little Missenden Headhouse or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
World-leading onboard robot technology is being harnessed to improve safety and efficiency on our first two giant tunnelling machines, set to launch early next year.
The 'Krokodyl' robot, pioneered by main works contractor, Align, is the first of its kind in the world and will be installed in the two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) used to bore the 16km-long Chiltern tunnels. Similar to robotic arms used on car factory production lines, Krokodyl will perform simple repetitive tasks, removing wooden spacers between tunnel segments and inserting connection dowels – something people would normally do.
As the TBM moves forward, tunnel segments are erected to form a structural watertight ring designed to support the ground loads. Each segment weighs up to eight tonnes and is delivered to the TBM with wooden spacers between them, generally removed by hand. By fully automating this process, the Krokodyl removes the need for people to work in this potentially hazardous area and helps with the installation of the 112,000 tunnel segments. A second feature of the robot, known as the Dobydo, then places the dowels into position ready for the segment to be slotted into place. Automating this process also reduces risk to people and improves safety and efficiency.
The Krokodyl in action
Both 170m-long machines are specifically designed for the mix of chalk and flint they will encounter under the Chilterns. Operating a pioneering ‘continuous boring’ technique, they are expected to take around three years to excavate the 9.1m diameter tunnels which will be lined with a concrete ring made of seven separate segments as they go. They will convert the spoil into slurry which will then be treated before being used for landscaping on-site, removing the need for additional HGVs on local roads.
The 'Florence' TBM
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We want your views on the design of the Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse
The latest design for the Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse in Buckinghamshire has been unveiled and to help shape our final design we're inviting you to have your say . The Little Missenden headhouse, which will provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed railway, is one of four that will be built above ventilation shafts leading down to the 10 mile-long Chilterns tunnel below.
The Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse is a significant structure which we want to integrate into the landscape and reflect as much as we can the character of native trees and chalk grasslands in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Before we begin construction, we are seeking your views on some specific details of the Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse. These include:
Due to COVID-19 we are not currently able to hold face-to-face public events, but we are holding three online events to share information about the design and construction of the Little Missenden Headhouse.
Please view our Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse information boards before completing our online survey . The survey will be available to complete until 23:59 Sunday 29 November 2020.
Please visit our dedicated Little Missenden Vent Shaft Headhouse web page for more information.
If you have any questions about the Little Missenden Headhouse or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are creating two new site entrances and building crossing points for a haul road on the A412 near Denham Water SkiClub on Moorhall Road. This work is in preparation for the creation of a new haul road to support the construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct.
In order to carry out this work we need to put in place a full road closure on the A412 road over two weekends:
This work is being undertaken at weekends to reduce disruption and for the safety of the public. Electronic traffic signs have been in place on the A412 for four weeks to provide updates for road users and will remain in place until works are complete.
We have coordinated these works with the local highway authorities so that a number of utilities services are being diverted in the same location at the same time. Over the next two weekends two new bell mouth entrances are also being constructed which will form our future haul road crossing.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of a series of junction improvements across Buckinghamshire we are making enhancements to the roundabout junction of the A355 and A413, known as the Gore Hill roundabout .
These works are being carried out as the A355 and A413 forms one of our construction lorry routes. As the works are starting to develop, we would like to invite you to find out more information about our activities in your area.
We will be running online information events, or webinars, to provide you with updates and more details on these works, and you will have the opportunity to ask the project team questions. During this session you will hear from our early works contractors Fusion, who will provide a background to the works they have completed and outline future activities. Our main works contractors, Align, will also provide a look ahead for the coming months.
This event is being held on two dates. Please register and select which date you would like to attend .
Please also view our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area, these works will consist of:
• Newt and reptile relocation
• Vegetation clearance
• Road closure of a section of Old Risborough Road
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
We are part of continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway, we will be planting a large quantity of small and large trees. These sites will form part of the green corridor that provide connectivity for wildlife alongside the future railway.
For further information please see our newsletter
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
Archaeologists excavating the remains of the medieval church of St Mary in Stoke Mandeville have already discovered unusual stone carvings, medieval graffiti and other markings, possibly connected to warding off evil spirits.
Two stones with a central drilled hole from which a series of lines radiate in a circle have been uncovered at the site. Historians consider these to be ‘witches’ marks, created to ward off evil spirits by trapping them in an endless line or maze. There are several well-known examples of these around Britain, in churches, houses and even furniture.
However, they can also be interpreted as early sun dials, used by the church to divide up the day into morning prayer, midday prayer and evening prayer, with these ‘scratch dials’ usually found close to the southern door of the church. At St Mary’s, an example was found low down in the west buttress close to ground level, leading archaeologists to question its purpose as its position suggests it wouldn’t have been used as a sun dial. It could have been there to ward off evil spirits, or been a stone from a sun dial re-used as part of the church building.
Archaeologists from Fusion JV, working on our behalf, have been given the rare opportunity to excavate and carefully deconstruct the remains of the medieval church – something not done in Britain since the 1970s. The old church was built to serve the manor house and located some way from the village centre and was replaced in 1866 by a new church closer to the village. Though it was known that the building had been demolished, the method and extent of demolition had not been recorded and archaeologists were surprised to discover that beneath the rubble the church survived to a height of almost 5ft with floors intact.
Detailed research into the structure has allowed the team to piece together a history of the development of St Mary’s. The church started off as a chapel built in about 1070, shortly after the Norman Conquest and may have been at first the private chapel belonging to the lord of the manor at that time. It was soon extended, and an aisle added in the 1340s, with these new additions seeming to mark a transition from a chapel used for private prayer to a church used by the local villagers.
Work to dismantle and excavate the church will continue into next year and archaeologists are looking forward to answering many more questions concerning the church and its architecture, including discovering whether there may be a Saxon church lying beneath its floor.
We are taking part in this year’s Council of British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology and hosting three webinars, aimed at 16-25 year olds, focused on inspiring the next generation of archaeologists in Britain. From October 24 to November 1, the event will offer hundreds of opportunities for people to get involved.
Ourselves and our contractors leading on the project's unprecedented programme of archaeology will share experiences and findings, with events highlighting some of the exciting discoveries of Britain’s past which have already been found during the works, including those at Stoke Mandeville .
Please view more information about our free online events and how to register .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We are carrying out early construction works to prepare the area for the HS2 route. This activity includes:
1. Ground Investigation (GI) works
2. Utility works including trail holes
3. Continuing to set up works compounds and establishing new ones as required
4. Localised clearance of vegetation and fencing
5. Haul road, access roads and drainage activities
6. Excavation, movement and storage of earthworks
For further information please see this notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
Our HS2 Helpdesk team is available all day, every day to listen and help with any questions you may have about the project. This is a key part of our commitment to keep you informed while we build the new railway.
So if you want to find out more about where it's going, the opportunities available or any other changes it might bring to your area, you can contact our Helpdesk team on:
In most cases, our Helpdesk team will be able to answer your question straight away, but if they can’t then they'll work with our local teams in your area to respond.
For more information about our Helpdesk and how to get in touch with us, please visit www.hs2.org.uk/helpdesk
To mark the Council for British Archaeology's Festival of Archaeology , we are holding a series of free online events so you can get involved and find out more about what treasures are being unearthed as we build the country's new high speed railway. The event, now in its 29th year, is being held from October 24 - November 1, shining a light on our past and how our ancestors lived.
A day in the life of a HS2 ArchaeologistIf you've ever wondered what an archaeologist does when they’re at work, then or webinar A day in the life of a HS2 Archaeologist on Monday October 26 (12.15 - 12.50pm) is for you!
The session will explore the academic choices and professional job roles which led some of our archaeologists to their careers working on HS2. Hosted by one of our Historic Environment Managers and main works civils contractor CSJV’s Archaeological Lead, this webinar focuses on the careers of Dr Emma Hopla and Dr Emma Tetlow.
They will discuss a typical week in the life of the Archaeological Client and the Archaeological Contractor, as well as some of the exciting discoveries they have made along the way. You will also be able to ask the team questions via a live Q&A chat.
Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page
An Introduction to HS2 Archaeology: Staffordshire and CheshireOur second session, An Introduction to HS2 Archaeology: Staffordshire and Cheshire , highlights how our archaeological works on Phase 2a from Fradley to Crewe, which cross north Staffordshire and East Cheshire, build upon our experiences and discoveries from Phase One, revealing new insights and findings about the history of this landscape.
Led by Chris Jordan, our Historic Environment Manager for Phase 2a, this talk will introduce the heritage along the Phase 2a route, including the influence of the landscape, and discuss what we are trying to discover, how we do it, and what exciting finds we might expect over the next few years.
You will be able to ask Chris and the team questions via a live Q&A chat during the online event which takes place on Tuesday October 27 (12.15 - 12.50pm) .
Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page
An Introduction to St Mary's in Stoke MandevilleOur final webinar focuses on the archaeological works carried out at St Mary's Church in Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire.
An Introduction to St Mary's in Stoke Mandeville on Wednesday October 28 (12.15 - 12.50pm) will be led by Guy Hunt, Partner at LP Archaeology, alongside experts from HS2 and Fusion. Guy and the team will explain how the site is a fantastic opportunity for archaeologists to examine and understand a landscape which has been occupied by humans for thousands of years, dating back to the Bronze Age.
The team will be available to answer your questions during a live Q&A chat option.
Please be warned that the presentation will contain images of human remains (skeletons).
Sign up to attend this free online event via our Eventbrite page
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway, we will be carrying out works in the Wendover area. These works include pump testing and spring flow monitoring.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
A dedicated online engagement resource is now available for you to learn more about our highway improvement works to Station Road in Quainton.
Due to COVID-19 we are unable to hold a community information event near to you, so we have created a virtual exhibition room. The virtual exhibition room is an online hall which you can navigate around, read and interact with information boards about the works, leave your feedback and sign up to attend one of our online webinars that will be delivered by the project team working on Station Road (please see below).
Please visit the Station Road virtual exhibition .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake highway improvement works to Station Road between the A41 and the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton. We are also upgrading the junction of Station Road with the A41. These works are required as the section of Station Road approaching the Railway Centre from the A41 forms part of the HS2 lorry route for the main construction of the railway.
Once we have completed these highway works the road will be reopened for public use. This will consist of four phases of work, beginning on October 19, 2020, and scheduled to be completed by summer 2021.
For more information, please view our works notification .
We will also be holding two webinars in October to share information about highways works on Station Road. At both events our team of specialists will provide a presentation and will be available to answer questions during a Q&A session.
Please register here to join the Station Road, Quainton, webinars . These webinars will be held on:
Thursday 15 October 2020 (6pm to 7pm)
Thursday 29 October 2020 (2pm to 3pm)
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake highway improvement works to Station Road between the A41 and the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton. We are also upgrading the junction of Station Road with the A41.
These works are required as the section of Station Road approaching the Railway Centre from the A41 forms part of the HS2 lorry route for the main construction of the railway. Once we have completed these highway works the road will be reopened for public use. This will consist of four phases of work, beginning on October 19, 2020, and scheduled to be completed by summer 2021.
For more information, please view our works notification .
We will also be holding two webinars in October to share information about the highways works on Station Road. At both events our team of specialists will provide a presentation and be available to answer questions during a Q&A session.
Please register here to join the Station Road, Quainton webinars . These webinars will be held on:
Thursday 15 October 2020 (6pm to 7pm)
Thursday 29 October 2020 (2pm to 3pm)
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We will be holding two webinars in October to share information about highways works on Station Road, Quainton. There will also be two webinars to update you on our works in the Calvert area .
At both events our team of specialists will provide a presentation and will be available to answer questions during a Q&A session.
Please register here to join the Station Road, Quainton webinars . These webinars will be held on:
Please register here to join the Calvert works update webinars . These webinars will be held on:
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, you can contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we will need to construct a temporary compound and chalk embankment trial in the Great Missenden area. The compound will be used as a base to manage the works along this section of the route and provide office accommodation, parking and welfare facilities for staff.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to construct a small compound and material laydown area for our highway improvement works in the area. This work includes:
• Setting up a small works area
• In some areas stripping topsoil and installing hardcore material to firm the ground for our vehicles
• Laying areas of temporary track matting to create a works access road from the existing highway entrance
• Erecting temporary fencing and placing low level lighting
• Delivery of plant and machinery required for the works
• 24-hour security on the site during the period of the works
• Storage of construction materials
The construction compound is a local hub for the highway construction works in the area and will provide office and welfare facilities, including car parking. The compound will operate during weekday nights, and during the day to support highway improvements further along the A41. The highway works will be taking place overnight to minimise travel disruption. The compound will be established in October and will remain operational until summer 2021.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
We are carrying out early construction works to prepare the area for the HS2 route. This activity will include:
1. Ground Investigation (GI) works
2. Utility works including trial holes
3. Setting up of works compounds
4. Localised clearance of vegetation and fencing
5. Haul road, access roads and drainage activities
6. Excavation, movement and storage of earthworks
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
We are carrying out early construction works to prepare the area for the HS2 route. This activity will include:
1. Ground Investigation (GI) works
2. Utility works including trial holes
3. Setting up of works compounds
4. Localised clearance of vegetation and fencing
5. Haul road, access roads and drainage activities
6. Excavation, movement and storage of earthworks
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
We are carrying out early construction works to prepare the area for the HS2 route. This activity will include:
1. Ground Investigation (GI) works
2. Utility works including trial holes
3. Setting up of works compounds
4. Localised clearance of vegetation and fencing
5. Haul road, access roads and drainage activities
6. Excavation, movement and storage of earthworks
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
Three Rivers District Council has granted planning permission for a new artist-designed landscaped play area for Maple Cross JMI school in Rickmansworth, bringing a request to HS2 from a local pupil to life.
The ambitious project to redesign the school’s grounds was initiated by a letter to HS2 from a child in Year Six at Maple Cross JMI, which asked that some of the material being excavated at the nearby South Portal construction site be brought to the school to “make a mound to roll down”.
After receiving the letter, HS2 developed a year-long programme of engagement between artist and designer Emily Cropton and the pupils, staff and wider community, in order to make the pupil’s wish come true.
The project involved educational workshops with school children in different year groups, in which they learnt about local history and the natural environment, and developed ideas for the design of their new play space.
Planning permission granted by Three Rivers District Council now means that HS2’s main works contractor Align will start the landscaping phase of the project by moving soil from its construction site 600 metres south of the school.
During the Autumn, Align’s local contractors will work with Emily Cropton to create the new play area which will include an orchard of fruit trees, a meadow of flowering plants, an area of scattered tree trunks for climbing, and a willow tunnel. There will also be a fossil wall built of clay bricks designed with the children, showing what might be found at Maple Cross in another two million years and the stories these fossils will pass on.
This project was commissioned by HS2 and delivered with the kind support of Align JV. To find out more about our works at the South Portal please click here .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works we will be carrying out some Ground Investigations (GI) along a section of Preston Bissett Restricted Byway 5A. This is a track open to vehicles, walkers, cyclists and horse riders. This will be closed for the duration of these investigations.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
September is an exciting time to learn about the mysteries of the past and how our ancestors lived as we host a series of fascinating online archaeology events as part of Heritage Open Days 2020. In addition, a major three-part documentary will be shown on BBC Two from Tuesday, September 15, exploring the discoveries found in Britain’s largest ever archaeological programme.
Before construction work began, and any track is laid, over 1,000 archaeologists, across more than 60 sites between London and the West Midlands, have been carefully uncovering the secrets of Britain’s past. The BBC series, ' HS2 – The Biggest Dig ' will focus on two major cemetery excavations – one adjacent to London’s Euston station and the other in Park Street, next to Birmingham Curzon Street station – the sites of our two new terminals.
For three years, our archaeologists have been giving TV documentary makers, Lion TV, exclusive access to archaeological sites being excavated as part of the project and the series is presented by anthropologist and anatomist Professor Alice Roberts and historian Dr Yasmin Khan.
HS2 Archaeology webinar series, 11 - 19 September - sign-up nowThe BBC series is complemented throughout September with a number of online archaeology webinars to support Heritage Open Days 2020, highlighting some of the exciting finds uncovered along the route of the new railway.
We're holding the following online events (click on the events below to register):
You can find the full list of our online events at www.hs2.org.uk/events .
We will be publishing video recordings of the session online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about each topic through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .
HS2 - The Biggest Dig will be also be available on BBC iPlayer .
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Westbury Parish Council in Buckinghamshire has been awarded £40,574 for a series of community space improvements from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) .
The ‘Westbury Investing in the Future’ project will provide upgraded outdoor spaces including a large area to the side of the village hall for young people to play sport, as well as a permanent gazebo on the patio which will offer the ability for all year round events, whatever the weather.
The project is a continuation of other upgrades which began in 2016 with the rebuilding of the village hall, surrounding road improvements and a revamp of existing village play facilities. Their success has driven the need for further work to increase the capacity of the space for community activities. In addition to the physical upgrades, the project will also see improvements made to signposting for the local village trail and an updated booklet, encouraging more people to enjoy the outdoor historic space the village has to offer.
To date, over £7.5million has been awarded from the funds across 125 projects near the HS2 route. In Buckinghamshire, 40 projects have benefitted, sharing over £2.4million between them. The projects range from upgrades to community facilities, to a contribution to the multi-million pound redevelopment of Wendover Woods, where the funds helped build a new café and visitors centre.
Other projects include two that have received grants from the Business and Local Economy Fund including £120,303 for the ‘Open for Business’ project run by the Chilterns Conservation Board which aims to promote tourism in the HS2 central Chilterns corridor, and £75,000 for Buckinghamshire Business First for their Visit Buckinghamshire Business Advisory Service.
Community and Business Funds
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. Our Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ . You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area. These works will consist of:
For further information please see our notification .
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
Before we build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, the largest archaeology programme ever undertaken in the UK is taking place along the line of route. Our archaeology programme is continuing to unearth discoveries across our sites.
To share information about these works and some of the exciting finds uncovered we are running a series of online archaeology events to support Heritage Open Days 2020.
We're holding the following online events for Heritage Open Days 2020 (click on the events below to register):
You can find the full list of our online events here .
We will be publishing video recordings of the session online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about each topic through a dedicated playlist on the HS2 YouTube channel .
For more information about HS2 please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
The new 400 metre-long road will take heavy good vehicles (HGVs) directly from the A413 Amersham Road to the site of the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft, avoiding the centre of the village, Robertswood School and the Epilepsy Society. The 60 metre-deep vent shaft is being built to provide ventilation and emergency access to the Chilterns tunnel. A single storey headhouse will be built on top containing fans and other technical equipment.
Once construction of the vent shaft is complete, the temporary access road will be removed and the land restored to its former condition. Mature trees will be retained at the perimeter of the vent shaft site, with new planting and wildlife habitats created around the building. In addition, a new temporary marshalled lorry holding area will also be put in place on the A413 near Gerrards Cross. HGVs can be held in this newly surfaced layby until their approach to the vent shaft site is clear – helping reduce congestion and eliminate queuing at the site entrance. The two projects are part of a package of mitigation measures designed to reduce the impact of construction on the local community.
Alongside the new access route, completed by a team led by our main works contractor, Align JV, we have also agreed to work with local highways authorities on a series of road improvements across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire designed to ease traffic flows during construction. This includes a new relief road at Chipping Warden, road widening and improvement at Wardington and junctions close to Great Missenden.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have launched the design for the Amersham Ventilation Shaft headhouse, one of five structures that will be built to provide ventilation and emergency access to the high-speed rail line’s 16 kilometre-long Chiltern tunnel. Set in the middle of a road junction just outside the town, the circular single-storey building will be surrounded by a spiral shaped weathered steel wall designed to echo the shape of the site and the natural tones of the surrounding landscape.
The Amersham Ventilation Shaft is a Key Design Element, which means it is a significant structure. We want it to respect its surroundings and the local area as much as possible and we would like your views on the design of the ventilation shaft including:
Due to COVID-19 we are not able to hold face-to-face public events, but we will be holding a series of online information events in September to share information about the design and construction of the ventilation shaft. These online 'webinars' will give residents the opportunity to hear and ask questions about the Amersham Ventilation Shaft. C lick here to register for one of our webinars .
Please view our Amersham Ventilation Shaft information boards before completing our online survey . The survey will be available to complete until midnight on Sunday 27 September .
Please visit our dedicated Amersham Ventilation Shaft web page for more information.
If you have any questions about the Amersham Ventilation Shaft or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of our continuing works ahead of our construction of the railway we need to carry out some further works in Wendover.
These will consist of archaeology and A413 junction improvement works.
For further information please see our notification .
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
Our first two enormous Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) - Florence and Cecilia - have been completed in Germany, ready to be shipped to the UK and begin the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel excavation.
After a public vote, the first machine was named after Florence Nightingale: the founder of modern nursing who spent many years living in Claydon, Buckinghamshire. The second machine was named after pioneering astronomer and astrophysicist, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin, who was born in Buckinghamshire.
The names were suggested by students at Meadow High School in Hillingdon and The Chalfonts Community College, Buckinghamshire, inspired by the female scientific and medical pioneers. Both machines will excavate the twin-bore Chiltern tunnel on the first phase of the high speed railway between London and the West Midlands.
Around 4,500 people from across the UK took part in the poll to select the final names, with Florence taking 40% of the vote and Cecilia a close second with 32%. The schools that suggested the names are close to our South Portal site, from where the machines will launch early next year.
These first TBMs will be operated by our main works contractor, Align JV and the giant 2,000 tonne machines – which have been built by world-leading German tunnelling specialists Herrenknecht – will be shipped in pieces to the UK and arrive later this year. Florence is set to be launched early in 2021 to begin digging the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel. Cecilia will launch around a month afterwards and dig the other half of the ‘twin bore’ tunnel.
Both 170m long machines are specifically designed for the mix of chalk and flint they will encounter under the Chilterns. Operating a ‘continuous boring’ technique, they are expected to take around 3 years to excavate the 9.1m metre diameter tunnels which will be lined with concrete as they go. The TBMs will mix the spoil with water to form a slurry which will be pumped back to the main site where it will be treated before being used for landscaping on-site, removing the need for additional lorries on local roads. The tunnels will also be as deep as 80m below ground – ensuring that the communities and countryside above are not impacted by the railway.
If you have any questions about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, we will be carrying out Ground Investigations (GI) works around Wendover, in the Small Dean Lane area off the A413.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
As part of HS2’s preparation work, we will be undertaking exploratory CCTV investigation work on the culverts which feed into Hampdon pond. This process is entirely non-intrusive but will require the closure of Church Lane to ensure that these works are carried out safely.
For further information please see our notification
If you have question about HS2 and our works please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org. uk
We will be conducting utility surveys over four consecutive nights from Monday 3 August to Thursday 6 August between 9pm and 5am. For the safety of road users and personnel involved with the works, we will need to implement lane closures and use temporary traffic signals to manage traffic.
Works are being undertaken at night to minimise disruption to the local community and motorists using the A355 and A413. The A355 and A413 will remain open to through traffic. As soon as works are finished all traffic management will be removed. Please see the works notification for details .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are working closely with our construction partners to review the works on all our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with Covid-19. The Government's current Covid-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
The below works are going ahead as our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
We previously let you know about our works around the Colne Valley and we have an update on these works with more detail including lane and road closures. For more information on the below works, including maps please see the works notification here .
Colne ValleyAs we prepare for the main construction works to start, we will be undertaking a range of work at our sites across the Colne Valley. These include:
A lane closure on the A412, near the Denham Water ski club entrance, will be in place to allow us to work on both sides of the highway, initially to undertake vegetation works alongside the A412 North Orbital followed by the construction of a new construction access road crossing of the A412. The lane closure will be managed by two way traffic lights. This will be required for up to four months and will operate 24 hours per day and seven days a week.
We will also be putting in place full A412 road closures at night during some weekends. This work is being undertaken at night and weekends to reduce disruption and for the safety of the public. The weekend closures on the A412 are anticipated to be needed during the period 29 August to 6 September and will be in place from 9pm to 5am. For more information, including maps, please see the works update here.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s continued programme of surveying works in your local area we have carried out geophysical surveys to identify areas of possible archaeological interest. The next steps of our archaeological investigation work will involve excavating trenches and recording any finds.
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Before the main construction works for the railway begins, we need to undertake a number of activities:
• Construction of a compound north of Station Road
• Construction of access roads, including one from the north of Station Road to the west of Greatmoor sidings, culvert crossings for existing water courses and a temporary bridge across the River Ray
• Construction of public highway crossings where the access road crosses the existing highway
• Survey and investigation works on Station Road and to the junction with the A41ahead of highway improvement works
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Archaeologists working on the HS2 project in Buckinghamshire have made an eerie discovery, unearthing a skeleton believed to be a murder victim from the Iron Age. Other discoveries at the Wellwick Farm site near Wendover span over 4,000 years of human history, and include a circular timber monument resembling Stonehenge.
The announcement of the discovery comes during the Festival of British Archaeology , an annual event taking place over nine days between 11th and 19th July. HS2 is taking part and hosting an online event. To find out more about this event, see our recent news post here .
HS2 is taking part, hosting digital events showcasing recent archaeological discoveries. This section of the HS2 route is being prepared to build the Wendover Green Tunnel and the Wendover North Cutting and the archaeology programme is a central part of HS2’s ground preparation works for Phase One of the project - London to Birmingham.
During the excavations an adult male skeleton was found buried face down in a ditch with hands bound together under his pelvis. This unusual burial position suggests he may have been a victim of a murder or execution. Further examinations are taking place for further evidence of foul play.
The works have uncovered a wealth of archaeology, with evidence of human activity dating from the Neolithic to the Medieval period - around 4,000 years. Land to the west of Wendover appears to have been repeatedly used for ceremonial activity, with the additional discovery of a large circular monument of wooden posts 65 metres in diameter aligned with the winter solstice, similar to Stonehenge in Wiltshire.
Archaeologists believe that during the Bronze and Iron Ages the site saw some domestic occupation with at least one roundhouse being identified and possible structures such as animal pens and pits used for disposing food. In Roman times, this occupation may have moved to the current location of Wendover, but Wellwick Farm was still used for burials. A skeleton in a lead-lined coffin, with the outer coffin likely made of wood, was also discovered, and archaeologists believe the person was of high status in order to pay for such an expensive method of burial.
Commenting on the finds, Dr. Rachel Wood, Project Archaeologist said: “We already knew that Buckinghamshire is rich in archaeology but discovering a site showing human activity spanning 4,000 years came as a bit of a surprise to us. The death of the Wellwick Farm man remains a mystery to us but there aren’t many ways you end up in a bottom of a ditch, face down, with your hands bound. We hope our osteologists will be able to shed more light on this potentially gruesome death.
"The large wooden ceremonial structure, the Roman lead burial and the mystery of the skeleton at Wellwick Farm helps bring alive the fact that people lived, worked and died in this area long before we came along."
Mike Court, HS2 Lead Archaeologist added: "Before we build the low-carbon high-speed railway between London and Birmingham, we are uncovering a wealth of archaeology that will enrich our cultural heritage. Our discoveries will be shared with communities and the public through virtual lectures, open days and in an upcoming BBC archaeology documentary.
“The sheer scale of possible discoveries, the geographical span and the vast range of our history to be unearthed makes HS2’s archaeology programme a unique opportunity to tell the story of Buckinghamshire and Britain."
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk.
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area, these works will consist of:
• Set up of small site compound and traffic signage
• Archaeology
The works will start in late July 2020 and will be completed by mid- September 2020
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area, these works will consist of:
• Set up of small site compound and traffic signage
• Minor tree and vegetation shrub clearance
• Archaeology
The works will start in late July 2020 and will be completed by mid- September 2020.
For further information please see notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area, these works will consist of:
• Construction of two small compounds
• Hedgerow and tree clearance
• Great crested newt fencing
• Archaeological investigations
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our preparatory works we will be widening the A413 Link Road in Great Missenden. The works will commence mid-July and are planned to be completed by September 2020.
For further details about these works please see our notification.
In addition to our notification, you can find out more about the works through a virtual exhibition. You can visit the virtual exhibition room here and it will be available for the duration of the works.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 o r email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our continuing works ahead of the construction of the railway we need to undertake some further work in your area, these works will consist of:
For more details on the works please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of a series of junction improvement works across Buckinghamshire we need to undertake some utility surveys at the A413 roundabout junction with Small Dean Lane. This is ahead of further junction improvement works planned for August 2020.
For further information please see our notification
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have been carrying out work to the A404/A413 Whielden Lane junction to improve its capacity and safety ahead of HS2 construction traffic using the road to build the Chiltern Tunnel Amersham vent shaft. Works will start this month (July) on the vent shaft site to create two bellmouths, a combined path/cycle way and relocate BT services and a water main. Whielden Lane will remain closed as a through route until September 2020. We will continue running a replacement bus service between Amersham hospital and Gore Hill/A355 bus stops near Tesco during the closure.
This service runs seven days a week. Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6.30pm on a half hourly basis. Additionally, outside of outpatient appointments on a Sunday, a reduced hourly service will operate from 7.49am to 6.30pm.
You can read our f ull notification here .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 o r email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Affinity Water are carrying out the construction of a water pipeline between Chalfont St Giles and Amersham pumping stations and setting up three compounds where the works will be managed from. These are at Gore Hill in Amersham, at a shared facility with HS2 enabling works contractors Fusion at Bottom House Farm Lane and at the pumping station at Mill Lane in Chalfont St Giles.
For more details on the works including why the pipeline is being built as part of the construction of HS2, see the works notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
In preparation for our main works to begin, we are undertaking the following works during 2020
For more details on the works please see our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
In preparation of our main works starting, we will be undertaking the following works during 2020
For more details on the works please see our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
HS2 will provide opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes. As part of being a good neighbour, we are keen that local companies along the line of the new high speed railway are able to make the most of the benefits the Project will bring, and get involved in the supply chain wherever they can.
HS2 Ltd are running a series of webinars that aim to help local businesses navigate the HS2 supply chain and better understand some of the things that we are looking for from suppliers. At each event, you will hear from a different expert speaker, and also be able to take part in a Q&A session.
Find out more and sign up here to attendWe will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn how to get your business 'HS2 ready' through on our HS2 YouTube channel. You can find out more information about HS2's local business opportunities here . For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Communities and businesses located near to Britain’s new railway are invited to a webinar on Thursday 25 June at 13:00 to find out more about the funding schemes and local business opportunities available.
Up and down the line of route, over 100 projects have already received funding through the HS2 community and business funds, while over 1,000 local businesses are already working on the project, providing goods and services to help build Britain’s new railway.
If your business or community is near to the line of route between the West Midland and London and you want to find out more about the funding programme and local business opportunities available through HS2, please sign up to our event below.
Find out more and sign up here to attendWe will be publishing video recordings of each webinar online, so if you are not able to listen live you can still learn about the funding and business opportunities available through on our HS2 YouTube channel.
You can find out more information about the HS2 Community Funds here and local business opportunities here .For more information about this event or any of our forthcoming events please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our ongoing works in your area we need to construct a new temporary road entrance (called a bell mouth) off Risborough Road. This access point will enable us to subsequently build a temporary internal access road that will allow us to continue the archaeological works at St Marys Church. We will send further information on this road in the near future.
For us to build this bell mouth, SGN and Vodafone will need to re-lay their roadside verge utilities to a deeper depth, in the same location. This will ensure that that the utility connections are not impacted by the creation of the access point and are not disturbed while we use it.
Please click her for further information
If you have any questions about the report, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The funds will be used to make improvements to the Paccar County Campsite in Chalfont St Peter which is open to all organised youth groups and serves 45,000 young people from across Buckinghamshire and West London each year. The improvements will include a new state-of-the-art climbing facility to suit a wide range of abilities, replacing the existing dilapidated climbing wall at the campsite. This comes at an exciting time as climbing will be a new sport in the now postponed Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. An artificial caving complex will also be built under the wall which will be used to provide a realistic, challenging and safe experience of caving for young people who use the campsite. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2021.
The funding has come from the HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF), part of a combined total of £40million in funding available to local communities and businesses that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction of Britain’s new high speed railway between London and the West Midlands. The project will join the other 113 projects along the route that have also benefitted.
39 projects in Buckinghamshire received support since the funding programme opened for applications in March 2017. £55,000 has also been announced today for Amersham Town FC to rebuild their clubhouse. Last month, a £250,000 award for the National Paralympic Heritage Trust in Stoke Mandeville was made, which will be used to develop a number of events, activities and resources designed to tell the story of the Paralympics and challenge attitudes to disability. Other projects include two that have received grants from the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) including £120,303 for the ‘Open for Business’ project run by the Chilterns Conservation Board which aims to promote tourism in the central Chilterns corridor, and £75,000 for Buckinghamshire Business First for their Visit Buckinghamshire Business Advisory Service.
A series of videos and case studies about projects that have received HS2 funds can be found here.
The independent administration of these funds is managed on behalf of HS2 Ltd by the charity Groundwork who will ensure both funds remain available for applications throughout the construction of Phase One. Read the Groundwork annual review.
Community and business groups interested in applying for the fund can find out more at www.hs2funds.org.uk
Pupils at Meadow High School in Hillingdon have suggested a name for one of the first of 10 giant tunnel boring machines (TBMs) which has been shortlisted for a national vote launched by HS2 Ltd. The TBMs will excavate more than 35 miles of tunnel on the first phase the UK’s new high speed railway between London and the West Midlands.
The public is being invited to go to https://www.hs2.org.uk/tbmvoting/ and vote for their favourite name, from a shortlist of three chosen by local school children and inspired by female scientific and medical pioneers.
The names are:
The name with the most votes will be given to the first TBM, due to be launched from a site close to the M25 early next year. The enormous, 2,000 tonne, 170m long machine will be one of two that will dig the 10 mile long Chiltern tunnels.
The second machine, due to be launched a month later, will be given the second most popular name in the public vote.
The TBMs will be operated by HS2’s main works contractor, Align JV – a joint venture formed of three companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick.
The machines are being built by Herrenknecht in Germany. Their names are being chosen now so they can be fixed to machines during their manufacture, ready for when they emerge out of the factory.
After completion the first two machines will be disassembled before beginning their long journey to England. Once they have arrived on site, each TBM will be reassembled, ready to begin their life underground.
Together the TBMs will spend around three years digging what will be the longest and deepest tunnels on the project, stretching from just inside the M25, to South Heath in Buckinghamshire.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have published the fourth public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from July to December 2019, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the second half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
We will continue to publish these reports on a regular basis.
The report is available to view and download here .
A collection of all our reports to date can be found here .
If you have any questions about the report, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As works continue to build the temporary access road to the Chalfont St Giles vent shaft site there will be speed restrictions, lane closures and an overnight closure of the A413. Bottom House Farm Lane will also be closed at its western end to through traffic and pedestrians for a period of three months. More details are in our work notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We're carrying out work to the A404/A413 Whielden Lane junction to improve its capacity and safety ahead of HS2 construction traffic using the road to build the Chiltern Tunnel Amersham vent shaft.
Whilst these works take place, we have to temporarily close the hospital bus stop. Working with Buckinghamshire Council we will be running a replacement bus service from Monday 18 May between Amersham hospital and Gore Hill/A355 bus stops near Tesco.
This service will run seven days a week. Monday to Saturday from 7am to 6.30pm on a half hourly basis. Additionally, outside of outpatient appointments on a Sunday, a reduced hourly service will operate from 7.49am to 6.30pm.
You can read our full notification letter here .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have recently made some changes to the HS2 in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire website, to help improve the user experience and navigation of the site.
New 'works in your area' page for information about all current or planned HS2 works in your areaWe have created a new, dedicated works in your area page , where all the notices for any current or ongoing works are shown, broken down by geographic areas within Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. This brings all our work notifications in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area together on one page, which makes it easier for you to navigate and easier for us to ensure all the notices are kept up-to-date.
New landing page and other pages added for popular topicsThe website landing page has changed so that our menu of pages are now shown, making it easier and quicker to find what you need. We've also added new pages and information on the following popular topics:
We will be continuing to update these pages as our construction activity in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire progresses.
Have your say on the websiteOur community websites are intended to provide you with relevant, local information about HS2 works and developments in your area. We would like to hear your views about our community websites and ideas you may have for improving them. To let us know your views, please complete our short online survey before 11:59 on Friday 29 May. The survey contains 7 questions and should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.
Contact us if you have any questionsIf you have any questions about the recent changes or would like some help using this website, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We are continuing to work closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity should continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
The below works are going ahead as our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
National Grid works on Small Dean Lane in Wendover
Balfour Beatty will be fitting netting to scaffold structures and installing wires to nearby pylons on Small Dean Lane. As the pylons oversail the road, they need to close the lane for certain periods so contractors can keep themselves and the public safe.
Due to programme delays relating to COVID-19, the closures dates have changed from when we originally notified you of these works in April. Intermittent closures on Small Dean Lane will be put in place until early August. Advanced warning notices will be put up to alert drivers to the closures, which we expect will be in force for a couple of hours at a time.
For full detail on these works and the road closures, please see the work notification here which includes a map of the diversion.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We are working closely with our construction partners to review the works on all our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with Covid-19. The Government’s current Covid-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance, which you can see by clicking here .
The below works are going ahead as our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
Junction improvement works
To prepare for construction traffic accessing the Chiltern Tunnel vent shaft site at Amersham, works will be taking place at the A404/A413 and Whielden Lane junction from 18 May to 4 July. These works will see Whielden Lane closed to through traffic, with a diversion in place, day and night working and temporary bus stop closures. For further details please see our works notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The number of community and business groups to receive awards from the HS2 community and business funds has topped over 100 with Buckinghamshire receiving the largest share of this with 37 projects, totalling £2,232,688 between them. The Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One, between London and the West Midlands, make a combined total of £40 million available to local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2.
Amongst Buckinghamshire's 37 awarded projects is the biggest single Community and Environment Fund award to date – which went to Forestry England to help towards their multi-million pound Wendover Woods project. The £450,000 award contributed to the build of a new café and toilets, which has provided a valuable facility for visitors.
A £250,000 award for the National Paralympic Heritage Trust in Stoke Mandeville has been announced this month, which will be used to develop a number of events, activities and resources designed to tell the story of the Paralympics and challenge attitudes to disability.
Other projects include two that have received grants from the Business and Local Economy Fund including £120,303 for the ‘Open for Business’ project run by the Chilterns Conservation Board which aims to promote tourism in the central Chilterns corridor, and £75,000 for Buckinghamshire Business First for their Visit Buckinghamshire Business Advisory Service.
As we work through the COVID-19 pandemic, the approval for the next stage of the project has meant that our contractors now have the go ahead to start building the new railway whilst remaining within the Public Health England (PHE) and industry guidelines. As part of our commitment to being a good neighbour, we realise that communities are affected by the construction of HS2, and the community and business funds are key to help offset the disruption caused.
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One, administered by community charity Groundwork UK, support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects. Community and Business groups along the HS2 route between London and the West Midlands have been able to apply for funds since March 2017.
A map of all awarded projects is available here . Some awards in Buckinghamshire include:
A series of videos and case studies about projects that have received HS2 funds can be found here.
The independent administration of these funds is managed on behalf of HS2 Ltd by the charity Groundwork who will ensure both funds remain available for applications throughout the construction of Phase One. Read the Groundwork annual review.
Community and business groups interested in applying for the fund can find out more at www.hs2funds.org.uk
We are continuing to work closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity should continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
The below works are going ahead as our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
Enabling works between Quainton and Mixbury
As part of our continued programme of enabling works in your area we will be relocating Great Crested Newts, carrying out vegetation clearance and setting up a compound ahead of the future construction of HS2.
Please see the links below for further details on works in the following areas:
Survey Works on Aylesbury Road A41, junction 9
To address the impact of HS2 construction traffic on the road network, we are making improvements to the junction of the A41 at the Broadway, the turning to Grendon Underwood. Before we start construction work on the road, we need to carry out a number of surveys. To do this safely we will need to close one lane of the A41. For further details of these works including lane closure dates please see our work notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We are continuing to work closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity should continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
The below works are going ahead as our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
National Grid works on Small Dean Lane in Wendover
Balfour Beatty will being carrying out work on Small Dean Lane which involves fitting netting to scaffold structures and installing wires to nearby pylons. As the pylons are close to the road, we need to close the lane for certain periods. For lane closure dates and further information of these works please see our works notification .
Ecology works in Lower Hartwell
In 2018 we built an ecology habitat in Lower Hartwell to provide a home for protected species. We need to carry out some maintenance works to the habitat. To find out further details about these works please see our works notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
On 15 April 2020, the Department for Transport gave approval for HS2 Ltd to issue Notice to Proceed to our four Main Works Civils Contractors (MWCC) working on Phase One of the project.
The issuing of Notice to Proceed marks the point in the MWCC contracts where work transitions from scheme design and preparatory work, to full detailed design and construction of the railway between London and the West Midlands.
You can find further information on both gov.uk and the HS2 website .
The four contractors along the phase one route – SCS Railways, Align JV, EKFB JV and BBV JV – will start the second stage of their contracts immediately, progressing detailed design, site preparation works and placing important sub-contracts. During this period, our contractors are continuously reviewing their ability to work within Public Health England guidelines to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce and the communities in which we are working.
We understand that some local communities are concerned about the impact of construction and we remain committed to being a good neighbour to anyone affected by our work.
You can find out Information about HS2 construction works during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic here.
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The health, safety and wellbeing of the communities along the route of the new railway, and our staff, remains our absolute priority.
Construction sitesWe are working closely with our construction partners to review the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with COVID-19. The Government’s current COVID-19 strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance.
Work at the majority of our sites has been paused as we complete this review, noting that some staff may be present to make the safety assessments and to ensure the sites remain safe and secure.
We do expect that work will restart at some of these sites where our contractors are confident that they can operate in line with PHE and industry guidance, protecting our staff and the communities in which they are working.
Community engagementWe have taken the decision to postpone all face-to-face engagement events and meetings during this period. We have been notifying local residents and putting in place alternative ways of communicating and engaging with communities over the coming weeks and months.
HS2 HelpdeskThe HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be the public’s first point of contact should they need advice or information from HS2. You can contact the Helpdesk:
If you contact us by post there will be an extended delay in us receiving and responding due to the current circumstances.
Following UK Government advice to stop non-essential contact with other people, and avoid all unnecessary travel, we have taken the decision to postpone a number of face to face engagement events and meetings. You may already have received notifications about some of these. We have made this decision to support the government aim to reduce the time spent in public places and the amount of contact between people due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
We are looking at alternative ways of engaging and communicating with you over the coming weeks and months.
The HS2 Helpdesk remains operational all day, every day, and will be your first point of contact should you need advice or information from HS2. You can contact the Helpdesk on:
Our Helpdesk Team will be in regular contact with community engagement managers, and will be able to put you in touch should you need to speak to your local team.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
As part of our continued programme of archaeology in your area we have undertaken geophysical surveys and trial trenching to identify areas of possible archaeological interest.
These works are planned to start in late March 2020 and will be completed by summer 2020. The site for the archaeology works is located between Bacombe Lane and Ellesborough Road. Access to the site will be from Bacombe Lane.
For more details on the works please see our notification .
If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
The HS2 Community Drop In Event on 18 March 2020 at Westbury Village Hall has been postponed. We will provide an update when a new date is confirmed.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
If you have any questions about HS2 and our works, please copntact our Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We’re inviting primary schools close to the HS2 line of route to sign up for a free safety workshop that teaches children about the importance of staying safe around construction sites. Safety is one of our core values and we’re working with Arc Theatre to deliver Playing it Safe , an interactive workshop.
Playing it Safe has visited over 5,000 pupils so far since its launch in 2018 to teach them about the dangers present on construction sites and the surrounding areas, as well as the consequences of trespassing on those sites.The workshop is available to Years 5 and 6 with audiences of between 30 and 90 pupils, with each session lasting between 60-75 minutes. Arc Theatre can deliver up to two sessions in one school per day. The workshop is completely free of charge, but limited and offered to schools closest to the route. If you would like your local school to take part in this workshop please ask them to contact Nita@arctheatre.com or call 020 8595 8509.
For more information about our safety programme or the wider HS2 project you can contact our HS2 Helpdesk team team all day, every day on:
A new project has been awarded funding in Buckinghamshire as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.
National Paralympic Heritage Trust receives £250,000The National Paralympic Heritage Trust opened at Stoke Mandeville Stadium near Aylesbury last year. The ‘Paralympic Values: Stories From’ project is the start of its outreach activities.
Drawing on the Paralympic values of determination, inspiration, courage and equality, the project will develop a range of tailored events and activities with supporting resources, taking place at the Heritage Centre/National Spinal Injuries Centre and locations along the HS2 route. It will increase knowledge of the Paralympics, as well as reflect the stories of local people from the workshops and events that take place. These will become a permanent record on the organisation’s website through blogs, videos, written stories, photographs and reports.
The project will challenge attitudes to disability, while reaching out to local communities, encouraging cohesion, connectivity and well-being through a wide range of activities, facilities and volunteering opportunities, such as disabled artist residencies, the creation of heritage displays, Paralympian talks, demonstrations and workshops, and disability awareness building and training.
Local Paralympic history will be recorded, be accessible and shared regionally, nationally and internationally. People will learn more about – and contribute to – their local heritage, with young and old, disabled and non-disabled people having opportunities to volunteer, gain new skills and build confidence.
HS2 Community and Business FundsOur Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As our work continues across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire we've added some Advance Works Notices and Community Event Invitations for various locations shown below. For more information please follow the links:
Survey works in Brackley Lane, Calvert
Notice of test piles in Quainton
Notice of utility diversion in Quainton
Notice of works in Steeple Claydon
Notice of demolition work and traffic management in Turweston
Notice of planting works in Westbury
Community Event Invitation in Preston Bissett
Community Event Invitation in Westbury
If you have any questions about our Common Design Elements or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Four new projects in Buckinghamshire and one new project in Oxfordshire have been awarded as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.
Finmere Parish Council in Oxfordshire receives £74,000 to redevelop their village hallFinmere Parish Council’s ‘Operation Finmere’ project will improve the village hall and playing field to modernise the facilities and make them easier to use. The roof will be replaced and an extension added to create an extra function room allowing for a wider variety of bookings and events, as well as greater storage space. New doors and a patio area will improve access to the playing fields from the hall, making it easier and safer. The repairs and improvements to the hall will ensure it is a place where people want to spend time taking part in activities including: yoga, pilates, coffee mornings, children’s groups, training and education, dancing and quizzes.
Waddesdon Bowls Club in Bucks receives £23,000 to improve their accessibility and maintenance facilitiesWaddesdon Bowls Club is a Community Amateur Sports Club that is located in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. Their improvement project will provide enhanced kitchen facilities, new green maintenance equipment and better access to the green for older and disabled members.
Ludgershall Village Parish Council in Bucks receives £10,000 to refurbish the local play areaLudgershall Parish Council’s project to replace the existing playground equipment on the village green will provide a safe area for children of all ages and abilities to play, socialise and enjoy physical activity. Improvements will include a new surface, toddler and infant equipment such as swings, wooden low-level fitness trails for children with a range of abilities and special needs, a new zip wire and play equipment for juniors.
Great Missenden Parish Council in Bucks receives £71,000 to refurbish the village memorial centreThis project will allow Great Missenden Parish Council to make improvements to the village Memorial Centre. The current doors and windows will be replaced, enhancing the appearance of the building and increasing its energy efficiency. The project will also provide a new suspended ceiling for the main hall, upgraded lighting, a strip and re-polish of the wooden floor and complete redecoration throughout. A hearing loop will also be installed.
Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau in Bucks receives £8,900 to provide more outreach servicesThe Chiltern Citizens Advice Bureau Limited ’s Prestwood Integrated Outreach pilot project is designed to expand and improve the current outreach services in the village. The current outreach programme runs one day a week, supporting people in the community who may not be able to get to the CAB premises. Funding will provide additional outreach worker hours and create a hub with a video/voice call-enabled tablet that connects directly to qualified volunteer advisers in the Amersham office, allowing people to access support when the outreach worker is unavailable.
HS2 Community and Business FundsOur Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) for Phase One are worth £40 million. They give local communities and businesses disrupted by the construction of HS2 the opportunity to receive funding of up to £1 million for projects to improve their local area or support their local economy.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, visit https://hs2funds.org.uk/ .
You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We would like to invite your feedback on the design of HS2’s Common Design Elements planned for the Phase One route between the West Midlands and London.
Further to our post on the 2nd January, there's now just four days left to have your say. You can view the plans on the HS2 website and download an information booklet , before completing our quick online survey . The survey closes at 11pm on Thursday 30 January .
Common Design Elements are parts of the railway with a standardised appearance which will give it a recognisable look and make it more efficient to build. They include frequently used structures, such as bridge piers and parapets, as well as lineside noise barriers.
Since Parliament approved plans for the Phase One route in 2017, we've been developing the design of the new railway and now we need your views to help inform how we progress with the Common Design Elements.
If you have any questions about our Common Design Elements or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Further to our news post on the 14th January , the works and planned overnight full road closure on Frith Hill will now restart on Monday 27th January 2020 at 7pm and will be completed in mid-February. The delay to our works and closure of Frith Hill has been caused by adverse weather conditions.
These works are essential to widen the exit onto the A413 towards Amersham to allow a dedicated left turn onto the A413 roundabout.
If you have any questions about HS2 and our works, please contact our Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Archaeology - Various Locations
As part of our works in your area, we have already carried out geophysical surveys to identify areas of possible archaeological interest. The next steps of our archaeological investigation work will involve excavating trenches and recording any finds.
For further information please click the links below:
HS2 Notice of Works: Archaeology, Finmere, Janaury 2020
HS2 Notice of Works: Archaeology, Newton Purcell/Chetwode, January 2020
HS2 Notice of Works: Archaeology, Fleet Marston, January, 2020
HS2 Notice of Works: Archaeology, Twyford, January, 2020
Vegetation Clearance in Turweston
To carry out our utility diversion work, we need to clear vegetation along the line of our diversion, this will include hedgerows and trees. There is a map in this notification which shows the area we will be working in. We need to divert the existing overhead line away from the future route of HS2 to enable future construction works and the operational railway.
For further information please click the link below.
HS2 Notice of Works: Vegetation Clearance Works
If you have any questions about HS2 and our works, please contact our Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of the preparation works for the construction of the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft a temporary access road is being built from the A413 to the site. Works will start in late January through to April 2020 when the access road will then be in use. This means HGVs will not have to come through the village to the site. There will be temporary bus stops in operation on the A413 until the access road works have finished in the Spring and a diversion of Public Right of Way (CSP 10/1). The access road will be in place until the vent shaft has been completed, when it will then be removed and the area reinstated.
For more information please see the notification sent to residents here
Please contact us if you want to find out more.
HS2 and our main works contractor Eiffage Kier would like to invite you to the Thame Valley viaduct key design event on Saturday 8th February from 12:30 - 5pm at The Fairford Leys Centre , Hampden Square, HP19 7HT.
This event is an opportunity for you to find out more about:
If you have any questions about HS2 and our works, please contact our Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries.org.uk
Update: The planned overnight full road closure on Frith Hill to undertake the widening of the exit onto the A413 towards Amersham to allow a dedicated left turn onto the A413 roundabout, commenced Monday 13th January 2020 at 7pm, and will continue for one week finishing on Saturday 18th January 6am.
These works and the overnight road closure will restart on Monday 27th January at 7pm for one week, and set to be completed by Saturday 1st February 6am.
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries.org.uk
We would like to invite your feedback on the design of HS2’s Common Design Elements planned for the Phase One route between the West Midlands and London.
Common Design Elements are parts of the railway with a standardised appearance which will give it a recognisable look and make it more efficient to build. They include frequently used structures, such as bridge piers and parapets, as well as lineside noise barriers.
Since Parliament approved plans for the Phase One route in 2017, we've been developing the design of the new railway and now we need your views to help inform how we progress with the Common Design Elements.
You can view the plans on the HS2 website and download an information booklet , before completing our quick online survey . The survey closes at 11pm on Thursday 30 January.
Find out more and have your sayTo find out more and let us know your views by completing the survey, please go to www.hs2.org.uk/common-design .
If you have any questions about our Common Design Elements or HS2, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Four more projects have been awarded funding in Buckinghamshire as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.
The Saye and Sele Hall in Quainton receives £7,400 for an outdoor space to teach preschool children about sustainable planting
The Saye and Sele Foundation charity owns the Saye and Sele Hall in Quainton. The funding will help to improve the outside area so that a pre-school group can utilise the space as an outdoor classroom and an area to grow plants. The project will also provide chairs and tables for use inside the hall to support meetings and events.
Claydon Community Café receives £75,000 to convert a vacant retail space in Steeple Claydon into another Community Café
Claydon Community Café CIC will be converting a vacant shop unit in Steeple Claydon into ‘Molly’s Community Café’. This will create a welcoming facility for everyone, where they can enjoy healthy food and drinks in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. It will be staffed by volunteers, including those with disabilities and special needs who will be supported.
Charndon Parish Council receives £9,900 for a new inclusive children's play area
Charndon Parish Council's project to refurbish and extend the community centre play area will provide an inclusive space where children of all physical abilities can play together. This includes providing play equipment which is accessible for children who are disabled. The new equipment includes a new Pod Basket Swing, installation of new fencing and laying of a rubberised safety surface .The playground will help to bring together children of different ages and physical abilities into one shared community space.
Amersham Band receives £75,000 for their new community band hall
Amersham Band is a valuable and popular community asset, playing at a variety of public events including concerts, civic functions and fetes and helping to bring people together to build social capital and local networks. Their current premises are under notice of closure and the group have found a suitable alternative site. The funding will contribute to the construction of a new purpose-built community band hall which will enable the organisation to double the number of events over the next few years as their activities expand.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds, including how to apply, click here .
You can also watch our short videos which explain how to best demonstrate that your project meets the application criteria for the Community, Environment or Business Funds.
If you have any questions about the Community and Business Funds, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of the preparation works for the construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct we will be continuing to carry out some initial works in your area which will help us develop our plans for construction.
Ground Investigations
These works will be taking place on sites using existing access routes off Moorhall Road, Harvil Road and Dews Lane. Some locations in Korda Lake and in Savay Lake will be conducted from floating pontoons. We will be working extended hours on the lakes, Monday to Sunday 7am to 7pm.
To provide enough room for our equipment to access the areas where we will be working, we will have to carry out tree removal, clearance of shrubs and other low-lying vegetation in the vicinity of the works.
Utility surveys next to Moorhall Road
We also need to conduct a survey of the utility services that run through this area. This will be done by hand-excavators to protect the services. We will be working next to Moorhall Road with protection barriers for the safety of our staff. There will be no road or lane closures.
For more information please see the notification sent to residents here
Please contact us if you want to find out more.
The planned overnight full road closures on Frith Hill to undertake the widening of the exit onto the A413 towards Amersham to allow a dedicated left turn onto the A413 roundabout and the construction of the bell mouth from the haul road onto the A413, scheduled to start on Monday 2nd December have been suspended until Monday 9th December 2019
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries.org.uk
We would like to invite you to an event about a proposed borrow pit near to Finmere Quarry.
This event is an opportunity for you to find out more about the project and what it means for the local area.
At this event you will be able to
- find out about proposal for the borrow pit which is an excavation to supply aggregate to the HS2 project
- talk to our experts and see drawings and displays and;
- ask questions and explore the proposal in more detail
For more information please click here.
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We have published the third public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from January to July 2019, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of the year, along with currently available data such as from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events we have held.
We will continue to publish these reports on a six monthly basis. The next report will cover July to December 2019, and will be published in spring 2020.
The report is available to view and download here: https://www.hs2.org.uk/documents/community-engagement-progress-report-january-to-june-2019/
If you have any questions about the report, HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
We’d like to invite your feedback on the emerging design of the Chalfont St Peter Ventilation Shaft , which will help us to develop and finalise the plans.
Please view our proposals on the associated exhibition panels before completing our quick online survey before 23:59 on Sunday 17 November 2019.
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Following local feedback, we’ve discussed the Great Missenden Link Road works with Buckinghamshire County Council and we’ve agreed to postpone the Link Road works until early 2020. This will allow us to redesign the works to reduce the loss of trees on Link Road from eight trees to one. We will also continue to review the affected tree as our design progresses.
Meanwhile, we will continue our works to widen the Frith Hill junction onto the A413, which will require the overnight closures as set out in our notification.
We will also have traffic management in place for works on the roundabout where our haul road meets the A413 to install raised curbs and traffic bollards. This will help to improve the safety of the junction which is in close proximity to the children’s playground. We will also carry out some work on the bell mouth of the haul road.
There will be no tree felling for our works on Frith Hill and the A413 roundabout.
Once we have an updated the design for Link Road we will let you know ahead of any works starting.
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
You will shortly see works starting from 30 October on the A361 Wardington and we will be keeping you updated and informed as these works progress.
You can find further details about these works on our notification which includes what to expect and how we manage any impacts. This will include traffic management starting from the 30 October.
Please see maps and diversions:
Venue: Stoke Mandeville Community Centre Eskdale Road, Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury HP22 5UJ
Date: 24th October 2019
Time: 4pm - 8pm
We are preparing for the start of the construction of the new high-speed railway and will be sharing information for Wendover, Ellesborough, Little Kimble and Stoke Mandeville area at this drop in.
The drop in session is an opportunity for you to ask questions regarding
• The recent noise model and proposed mitigation relating to the operational railway
• Landscaping proposals for your local area
• How the main works will be delivered
• The latest programme of works
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
HS2’s brand new track and fast intercity services will carry more than 2 million people a week.
By freeing up space on existing lines, for new local train services, passengers and freight, HS2 helps ease congestion and over-crowding. Travelling by train becomes a more convenient and enjoyable option for everybody, regardless of how far they’re going.
Our latest video explains how the delivery of Britain's new high speed railway will be a game changer for the UK rail network and will help to improve your journey, even if you don't use our trains.
Once the full network is complete we expect HS2 trains to carry over 300,000 passengers a day. We have planned for the future by making sure that the HS2 network can grow with increased demand.
Up to 48 HS2 trains will be running on the rail network every hour, each carrying up to 1,100 passengers.
Visit the HS2 website to find out about the stations we will serve.
If you have any questions about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
As part of our works to improve two roundabouts on the A413 in Great Missenden we will need to put some traffic management measures in place, starting from 14 October to February 2020. The work will be carried out in phases. During these periods we will need to:
These traffic management measures are essential to carry out the work safely and we’ll remove them when they are not required. You can find more details on the location, dates and times of these closures in our notification .
The traffic management measures will allow us to:
Please contact us if you want to find out more.
Wendover viaduct and tunnel portal information event
In September last year, we held some information events asking for your feedback on the Wendover Dean viaduct and Wendover South Portal Green Tunnel. We would like to invite you to our follow up events to show you the results of that feedback and provide an update on some key issues.
Come and talk to us about this on:
Thursday 26 September 2019, 4pm to 7pm at St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Wendover, HP22 6JG 6NL
or
Thursday 17 October 2019, 4pm to 7:30pm. Ballinger War Memorial Hall, Ballinger Road, Ballinger, Great Missenden, HP16 9LQ
Great Missenden road works information event
We're also holding an information event about the construction of the temporary haul road, widening of Frith Hill exit on to A413 and Link Road in Great Missenden.
Come and talk to us about this on:
Thursday 3rd October 2019, between 3.00pm and 8.00pm. Great Missenden Memorial Centre, Link Road, Great Missenden, Bucks. HP16 9AE
Please contact us if you want to find out more.
Following our information events in the summer we would like to update you on works in Calvert and Steeple Claydon as we continue preparing for the start of the construction of the railway.
Please click here to see the full notification for further information.
Please be aware that our community drop in sessions planned for Tuesday 17 September at Steeple Claydon Village Hall and Wednesday 18 September at Calvert Community Hall have been postponed until next month on the below dates. The postponed drop-ins will be held as information events which will focus on all of Fusion's works in the local area. At these events you will be able to speak to staff about vegetation clearance, fencing, site compounds and planting.
Steeple Claydon details:
Date: Tuesday 22 October 2019
Time: 4pm - 8pm
Venue: Steeple Claydon Village Hall, Queen Catherine Road, Steeple Claydon, MK18 2PY
Calvert details:
Date; Wednesday 23 October 2019
Time: 4pm - 8pm
Venue; Calvert Green Village Hall, Cotswold Way, Calvert Green, MK18 2FJ
For more information please click on the below links:
The Government has announced the HS2 Prolonged Disruption Compensation Scheme.
This policy complements a wider package of environmental controls set out in the HS2 Phase One environmental minimum requirements and adds to the noise insulation and temporary re-housing measures set out in information paper E23.
We are aware of the issues that building a new railway can cause to people who live nearby. We will design and build the railway in ways that reduce noise as much as we reasonably can.
An introduction to the scheme for residents has been published on the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-prolonged-disruption-compensation-scheme/prolonged-disruption-compensation-scheme
Full guidance will be published in late autumn 2019 in advance of the start of the Phase One main construction works.
If you are eligible under this scheme we will contact you in advance of the construction works to discuss your options and provide more information about the application process.
In the meantime if you have any questions, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk on 08081 434 434 or hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
National Grid will be moving and raising the heights of some electricity pylons that the new railway will pass under in four separate locations between Great Missenden and Aylesbury and will also carry out minor routine maintenance work to replace equipment on five pylons in Aylesbury at the same time.
They will create a new access off the A413 so they can reach two pylons near Nash Lee Road and build a new bellmouth and haul road off Bishopstone Road to enable our vehicles, staff, plant and equipment to access pylons west of Aylesbury.
We will need to temporarily close some footpaths and Public Rights of Ways while they are working in the area.
You can find out more detailed information on our works notification sheets and maps , giving you details of locations, times and any diversions.
We are setting up a work site in the Bishopstone area opposite Sedrups Farm ahead of planned archaeology and utility diversion. Our access will be off the A418 Oxford Road.
Download our works notification sheet for more information.
You can contact our HS2 Helpdesk team all day, every day of the year on:
Freephone: 08081 434 434Minicom: 08081 456 472Email: hs2enquiries@hs2.org.ukHow we can help
Our team is here to listen and help with any enquiry, complaint or feedback you may have. Our Helpdesk team will try to answer your questions in the first instance. If we need to talk to other people in the company to provide a full response, we’ll make sure we investigate your query with the relevant people at HS2 Ltd and respond at a later time.
If you would like to see our complaints procedure or you’re not satisfied with how your case is being dealt with, further information can be found here .
You can also contact our Helpdesk if you think you have a damage claim related to HS2.
We’ve written the Bucks and Oxfordshire Local Area Engagement Plan to explain how we’ll deliver our Community Strategy in your area. It sets out how we‘ll engage with communities in Bucks and Oxfordshire to ensure that we meet our commitments and continue to be a good neighbour. This is particularly important in 2019 as we begin our main construction work.
This plan:
· introduces you to your local Community Engagement team and partners working on our behalf;
· provides maps showing where our key works are in your area;
· informs you about the different ways you can contact us; and
· explains how we’ll measure how well we’re doing against our 10 Community Commitments.
As part of our preparatory works, a construction compound is being set up to the east of Gawcott Road, around 2km north of Calvert, 2km south west of Steeple Claydon and 1.5km from Twyford.
The compound will start to be set up at the end of July and works will take place over the summer period. The compound will remain in place until the construction is complete in 2023.
Set up of the compound will involve creating an area of hardstanding, before installing the prefabricated offices and forming the storage areas.
For more information please here.
Today saw three more projects awarded funding in Buckinghamshire as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.
The Chilterns Conservation Board has been awarded £120,303 BLEF funding. The project aims to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Chilterns AONB and increase public understanding and enjoyment.
This project is a three-year tourism initiative to highlight that the central Chilterns area is ‘Open for Business’ throughout HS2 construction and is an outstanding area to visit. It aims to maintain a vibrant visitor economy during construction, attracting visitors, increasing footfall and visitor spend, despite the disruption.
A full-time project manager will coordinate and deliver a programme of activities to promote the central Chilterns including: six walking festivals; three food and drink festivals; a marketing and communication programme including online and printed materials; a business engagement drive with 12 networking events to inform firms about the festivals, campaigns and opportunities, encouraging them to take part, and production of The Chilterns Pass – a promotional loyalty card for local residents and tourists.
Little Missenden Parish Council have been awarded £28,000 CEF funding to provide multi-functional toddler play equipment at the local recreation ground. The equipment will include multiple access points such as steps, ramps, nets and slides, providing stimulation, variety and challenge for the children. It will also include sensory elements, encouraging curiosity and a sense of adventure.
Carers Trust Bucks and Milton Keynes, a registered charity in Aylesbury have been awarded £70,907 CEF funding for a project to provide additional support to carers whose roles may become more difficult because of the construction of HS2.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. Visit the Groundwork website for further information about Groundwork and the funds themselves.
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here .
The latest cohort of projects to receive funding from the HS2 Community and Business Funds have been announced today, taking the total award value from the Funds to £3.5m to organisations along Phase One of the HS2 route.
HS2’s Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF) has so far seen 62 projects from across the country receive funding awards. This government-backed funding programme was created to add benefit to communities and support local businesses affected by Phase One of HS2 above compensation and mitigation.
The Funds are being managed independently by Groundwork UK, a community charity that works to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.
The latest cohort of funded CEF and BLEF projects includes:
Community groups and business support organisations are being encouraged to apply to the Funds for projects that have a demonstrable positive impact on their local community.
A combined total of £40 million has been made available for both the CEF and BLEF projects for Phase One of the construction of HS2. The Funds will provide support for good quality bids and funding will be available throughout this time period. CEF and BLEF have supported 62 projects since March 2017 from small scale grassroots projects to large scale capital projects which benefit a wide range of communities.
For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here .
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here .
HS2 are holding five events for the community to find out more about the updated design and construction of the Colne Valley Viaduct . At the events you will be able to:
The events, timings and locations can be found in Upcoming Events section
This year we are taking part in the annual Bucks Railway Centre Steam Gala. Come and find us at our mobile event trailer between 10:30 and 17:00 to learn more about the project and get advice on a host of opportunities:
- Accessing skills and training
- How to apply for our community funds
- Opportunities for local businesses
- How to stay in touch with us
You can find out more information on the Bucks Railway Centre Steam Gala at: https://bucksrailcentre.org/product.php/5/steam-gala
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our enabling works contractor Fusion will be carrying out the following works on Station Road in April until June 2019:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Quainton
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Groundwork, the independent administrators of Phase One of HS2 Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and Business and Local Economy Fund (BLEF), have released the HS2 Fund Annual Review for 2018/2019.
In this last year, 49 CEF & BLEF projects have received funding with communities and businesses along Phase 1 benefitting to the tune of close to £3m.
Read the report here , including case studies of how funding is supporting towns and cities along the Phase One line of route.
For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.
The following works by National Grid are planned between Great Missenden and Aylesbury for approximately four weeks:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to a future drop-in at Great Missenden here.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We have published the second public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period from July to December 2018, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the second half of the year, along with year-end data from our Helpdesk, community funding awarded and the events held.
We will continue to publish these reports on a six monthly basis. The next report will cover January to June 2019, and will be published in autumn 2019.
You can download the report here .
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our enabling works contractor, Fusion will be carrying out the following archaeology investigations in Bishopstone from April for 6 weeks:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area here.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our main works contractor Align will be carrying out the following ground investigation works near Denham Water Ski Club - Starting April until September 2019:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in Denham here.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
In March a further £4 million was released to fund the creation and restoration of woodlands in areas ranging from London to the West Midlands, as part of HS2’s ongoing ecology programme.
The HS2 Woodland Fund is now a total grant scheme of £5 million and is aimed at helping landowners to create new native woodland and restore Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites. This follows the success of the first £1 million of the Fund that was committed to projects throughout 2018.
The Woodland Fund is open to applications from landowners located within 25 miles of the Phase One route of the high speed railway, which passes through parts of Greater London, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, as well as the wider West Midlands. The fund aims to help local landowners create new native, broad leaf woodlands, especially where they connect or expand existing ancient woodland or connect semi-natural open habitats. It also provides financial support for the tree planting and associated items needed to protect them – this includes fencing and gates, as well natural flood management items.
To find out more about the Woodland Fund and how to apply you can visit the Forestry Commission website by clicking here
We recognise that there are many schools in close proximity to our planned works and it is important for us to ensure that children understand the dangers that construction sites can pose. We have a duty to engage directly with local schools to communicate and reinforce the importance of staying safe when living and playing near construction sites.
We appointed Arc Theatre to deliver Playing it Safe , an interactive health and safety workshop designed for primary schools along the Phase One route of HS2. The workshop uses drama to communicate the dangers present on construction sites and the surrounding areas, as well as the consequences of trespassing on those sites.
Playing it Safe has now taken place at more than 50 schools, teaching over 4000 pupils how to stay safe when living near construction sites.
The workshop is available to Years 5 and 6 with audiences of between 30 and 90 pupils, with each session lasting between 60-75 minutes. Arc can deliver up to two sessions in one school per day.
The workshop is completely free of charge, but limited and offered to schools closest to the route. If you would like your local primary school to take part in this workshop please ask them to contact Nita@arctheatre.com or call 020 8595 8509 .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
National Grid will be undertaking ground investigations from 1 April for approximately of 6 weeks.
This is to inform the design of the new electricity pylons, which will be relocated from the Colne Valley.
Further information can be found here .
For more information on the pylon relocation, please see our project leaflet .
Find out more about our plans in Denham here.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our main works contractor Eiffage Kier will be carrying out the following works along the line of route in Calvert in March until July 2019:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Calvert
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Align, the Main Works Contractor for the Colne Valley Viaduct and the Chiltern Tunnel will be carrying out the following planned works starting April 2019 for a period of 4 weeks:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here .
Find out more about our plans in this area here or come along to our local drop-in session in Great Missenden.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via
The following works at Bottom House Farm Lane, Chalfont Saint Giles are planned from 18 March until 22 March:
Find out more about our plans in The Chalfonts area here.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Starting late March until November 2019
The following works between the villages of Quainton and Waddesden are planned:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to a future drop-in and event in Quainton.
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Western Power Distribution will be carrying out the following planned works:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area .
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via
You can find out more about our plans in Little Missenden and Hyde Heath here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Starting Tuesday 19 February until 31 August 2019
The following works at A412 Denham Way and nearby Denham Water Ski Club are planned:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Denham .
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via Hand pS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Starting Monday 18 February until Friday 15 March 2019
The following works at and nearby the Chalfont St Peter vent shaft site are planned:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in The Chalfonts here .
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via Hand pS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We are writing to keep you updated on HS2 activities in Great Missenden starting February until end of September 2019 regarding;
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
Find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Great Missenden here .
You can also keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We recently launched a pilot project called Growing Spaces , a community engagement project to build mini allotments and vegetable growing boxes, to create new planted areas for local primary schools across Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Ten schools were invited to take part in the pilot because of their proximity to the construction of the railway.
The Growing Spaces project is part of HS2’s commitment to tailored community engagement projects and creating a Green Corridor alongside the railway.
To deliver the project, we’re working with a small social enterprise called Growing Ideas, set up by an experienced science teacher and engagement specialist with a mission to deliver engagement and educational sessions in schools. The focus of the Growing Spaces project is to teach the importance of nutrition, as well as the practical skills and the science behind growing fruit and vegetables.
Each engagement day with the schools involves pupils filling their specially designed allotment box with soil and planting their own collection of seeds and saplings. The pupils learn through interactive activities about how plants grow, how to maintain them and the importance of nutrition in their diet.
Steeple Claydon School was one of the first schools to take part in the project and you can watch a short film about their experience below.
We’re aiming to roll out the scheme to other schools along the route and continue our ongoing engagement with local communities.
Following on from discussions last week with SGN the Gawcott Road closure has been extended to 3 March 2019, due to technical issues during the testing period. It was agreed with Bucks CC to extend to this date to ensure that the testing will not impact on gas supplies to homes or businesses. It will also enable Western Power Distribution to undertake planned work in the vicinity which means everything is completed at the same time rather than further disruptions.
SGN will be investigating options to open the road prior to 3 March 2019 if possible.
The detailing the diversions can be found here.
Today saw two new projects awarded funding as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds.
Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Chilterns Conservation Board have been awarded £240,000 to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and increase public understanding and enjoyment.
The ‘Chalk, Cherries and Chairs’ project will create new opportunities for people to investigate and celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of the area, including:
· Providing local groups with the resources and skills to conserve, expand, and enhance community wild spaces
· Volunteering opportunities, training and toolkits for people to explore local ancient routeways, with digital and web-based information available to all
· Public activities and performances, soundscapes, story-telling, walking routes and digital parish maps to celebrate the old cherry orchards, Grim’s Ditch (a local monument) and wider area
· Celebrating heritage crafts through a programme of courses and demonstrations in traditional crafts with a connection to the local landscape
In addition to funding from CEF, this project has also been awarded a £2 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (announced earlier this week – details here ).
You can find out more about the Chilterns Conservation Board by visiting www.chilternsaonb.org/conservation-board.html
Colne Valley ‘Open for Business’ campaign
The Colne Valley Park CIC have been awarded £72,200 to deliver a promotional campaign to reinforce the message that the Colne Valley is open for business during HS2 construction. Aimed at retaining an estimated 2 million annual visitors and supporting rural businesses, the campaign will focus on:
Informative promotion
The creation of a new Colne Valley Regional Park (CVRP) website will enable information to be easily accessed and updated. Printed promotional materials providing park use information (e.g. circular walks leaflets) will be updated to reflect the disruption to routes from the HS2.
Persuasive promotion
Six editions of a 4-page printed broadsheet will be distributed to key visitor and tourist attractions and businesses. The broadsheet will use clear, contemporary design to promote the areas, attractions and views which are best to visit in each season, taking in to consideration the disruption from HS2.
You can find out more about the ‘Open for Business’ campaign by visiting the Colne Valley Park website here .
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here .
Introduction to HS2 Community Funds
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our contractor Fusion, will be carrying out the following works starting February until end of March 2019:
There will be some additional traffic on local roads and some noise from equipment used at the site.
Access to the site will be from the A421.
Once the work is completed, the trenches will be backfilled.
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
You can find out more about our plans in this area.
You can keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our contractor SGN, will be carrying out the following utility works from 21 January until 17 February 2019:
The road closure is required to complete utility works at Gawcott Road (Perry Hill).
Traffic diversions will be in place. With Access only to Greatmoor Sailing Club.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Calvert and Steeple Claydon here.
You can keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our contractor Fusion, will be carrying out the following works in January until the end of April 2019:
These activities will be taking place along the line of the HS2 route between the Oxford Rd and the existing Marylebone railway line to the south of Aylesbury area indicated in the works notice and map here.
You may notice some site signage on the highway around points where we will be accessing the land from the road but this work will not involve significant amounts of local traffic. The fencing will not interrupt any of the existing public rights of way in this area.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events in Stone, Bishopstone and Hartwell and Wendover here.
You can keep up to date and read more project news in Buckinghamshire here
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of road improvements to Hornhill Road in Maple Cross. A section of Hornhill Road will be closed from 7am to 6pm from 7 until 18 January 2019. There will be:
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our main works contractor Align, will be carrying out further enabling works near to Denham Ski Water Club on the A412.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find out more about our plans in Wendover here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find out more about our plans in Denham here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find out more about our plans in Amersham here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find our more about our plans around the Great Missenden area here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find our more about our plans around the Stone Bishopstone area here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Today saw the announcement of new projects awarded funding as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds , with two projects in Bucks receiving over £90,000 combined.
In Wendover, the Chilterns MS Centre has received over £74,000 to deliver a project to improve access to exercise for people with MS. Evidence shows that regular exercise is beneficial for people with MS and they currently provide a limited number of classes within their physiotherapy programme.
These classes include yoga, Pilates and T’ai Chi, which increase stamina, flexibility, balance and strength, and improve mental wellbeing. This funding will provide specialist exercise classes across the community and will continue to fund the current level of exercise classes, as well as to expand the number and range of exercise classes on offer at the Centre and to help people with MS to exercise in their communities. The funding will also encourage and enable people with MS to exercise more often by giving them more choice about where and when they exercise and by making classes easier to access. It will also help them to reach people with MS who are not currently using their services or exercising regularly.
You can find out more about the Chilterns MS Centre by visiting www.chilternsmscentre.org
Also, the Amersham Museum has received over £16,000 for their accessible mobile museum. The Mobile Museum is a travelling exhibition that will share the story of life in Amersham and the surrounding area in the 20th Century. This will include oral history, film, photographs, documents, objects, artwork and displays created by local people. Funds were already secured from other sources for the purchase of a vintage vehicle, this will fund materials and equipment to be used with the travelling exhibition. The vehicle will house an immersive exhibition, created with local people, that travels around the community to events, schools and care homes. It will include a facility for securely displaying collection items, creative pieces made by community groups and a space where new memories can be collected and recorded. The Mobile Museum is an outreach tool, enabling people who don't or can't visit the museum to have a rich and engaging museum experience from their home, school, at an event or in a community setting.
You can find out more about the Amersham Museum by visiting: www.amershammuseum.org
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here
As part of HS2’s preparation works, the following activities will be starting 3 December until end of December:
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events or our community event on 28 November, full details can be found here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find our more about our plans in the Stoke Mandeville area here or attend one of our future drop-in sessions here
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find our more about our plans in the Chalfonts area here or attend one of our future drop-in sessions here
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, the following activities will start in November 2018 until January 2019:
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, the following activities will be taking place in November 2018.
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, the following activities will be taking place starting November 2018 and will continue until September 2019.
A number of trenches have already been dug in the area and interesting archaeology has been uncovered there. Because of this, further archaeological investigations will take place to get a better understanding of the area and its history
Other work to expect up to January 2019
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here .
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here .
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
You can find our more about our plans in the Denham area or attend one of our future drop-in sessions here
We have published the first public report that documents our progress towards being a good neighbour by putting engagement with communities at the heart of everything we do.
This report covers the six-month period January to June 2018, and draws on a number of case studies of activity during the first half of this year, along with currently available data such as from our helpdesk, funding awarded and the events held.
We will be publishing these reports on a six monthly basis. The next report will cover July to December 2018, and will be published in spring 2019. In the next report we will include feedback from communities on how well they think we are doing at being a good neighbour, building on the content of the first report.
You can download the report at the link below.
https://www.hs2.org.uk/documents/community-engagement-progress-report-january-to-june-2018/
Archaeological investigations will be taking place at Widmore Farm, Finmere , work is due to begin in early November and last for 4 weeks. These investigations follow on from geophysical surveys previously completed.
For more information click here.
As part of HS2’s preparation works, the following activities will be taking place starting November 2018 and will continue until the end of the year:
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Today saw more projects awarded funding as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds. To date, over £1.9m of funding has been awarded across the Phase One route.
In Buckinghamshire, Road Farm Countryways CIC has received over £74,000 from the Community and Environment Fund to refurbish an existing run down barn in the farmyard to provide a large accessible changing room and toilet facility for the users of the service and groups who visit the farm.
Road Farm Countryways CIC is a Care Farming Community Interest Company based in Great Missenden that provides opportunities for young adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities through Care Farming (therapeutic use of farming practices) and visits for schools, scouts, guides and youth and community groups.
The funding will also allow the group to help to re-roof a traditional long, low farm building (currently with no roof) with traditional clay roof tiles and building work also includes timber cladding and mending brick and flint work. It will also help to restore a traditional old building on the farm which can then be used as a training and workshop facility.
You can find out more about Road Farm Countryways by visiting www.roadfarmcountryways.com
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here.
Tree and vegetation clearance work in Brackley Lane, Calvert will be taking place during November 2018.
For more information please click here
During November and December 2018 Fusion, the enabling works contractor, will be undertaking a programme of works near Edgcott.
For more information please click here
Between November 2018 and May 2019 Fusion, the enabling works contractor, will be undertaking a programme of works in Quainton.
For more information please click here
Starting from Monday 15 October we are conducting some research focused on asking the views of communities along the route of the new railway. This is a telephone survey lasting about ten minutes that will be carried out by Ipsos MORI on our behalf.
If you are phoned by an interviewer from Ipsos MORI asking for your views on whether HS2 is being a good neighbour, please consider taking part. The survey will help us to measure how well we are doing against the commitments in our Community Engagement Strategy and your feedback will also help us understand where we need improve.
If you have any queries regarding the survey please visit the contact us page by clicking here.
Today saw the announcement of new projects awarded funding as part of the HS2 Community and Business Funds. To date, £1.9m of funding has been awarded across the Phase One route.
In Buckinghamshire, Lee Parish Council has received over £44,000 from the Community and Environment Fund to help replace a wooden children’s fort in a children’s playground in Lee Common. The current fort is a popular piece of play equipment built 28 years ago and has undergone repair and modification so that it can continue to be used. The timbers are continuing to deteriorate and, through this funding, will now be replaced.
The community and business funds are administered and managed by independent community charity, Groundwork UK. For more information on Groundwork and the funds themselves click here.
You can also see an interactive map showing all of the projects awarded funding so far by clicking here.
As part of HS2’s preparation works, Chalfont Lane (A412 to Shire Lane) was closed on 27 November 2017 and will remain closed for the duration of our construction.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As archaeologists prepare to undertake investigations of the ruined church of St Mary's in Stoke Mandeville, visitors learnt more about the HS2 approach to the historic environment and what the team are hoping to uncover on site.
The event was delivered as part of his year's Heritage Open Days Festival and you can read about the event by visiting our new Archaeology page by clicking here.
We will be updating this page as their investigations continue.
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our utilities contractors SGN and Western Power Distribution (WPD) will be carrying out utility works in the Calvert and Steeple Claydon area. Addison Road will be closed in both directions for one week to complete gas and electrical diversions. This work is to ensure gas supplies are maintained to properties and businesses during the change over to the new pressure reduction site.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our main works contractor Align, will be carrying out surveys of utilities near to Denham Ski Water Club on the A412.
You can find out more about our plans in this area or come along to future drop-in events here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
St Annes Hall, Aylesbury Rd, Wendover, Aylesbury. HP22 6JG.
on Saturday 29 September 2018, between 12.00 noon and 6.00 pm
This is a public event focusing upon the Wendover Dean and Small Dean Viaducts and the Wendover Green Tunnel key design elements.
If you are unable to make this event, you can find out more here or come along to future drop-in events for local communities in the Wendover area.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk .
Come along and find out more at our drop-in events for local communities in The Chalfonts area.
Come along and find out more at our drop-in events for local communities in Denham and the Denham Green areas.
The next stage of utility ground investigation surveys will begin in October/November (depending on weather). The results of these surveys will be used to complete the detailed designs for the overhead diversions between Mixbury and Turweston. The works will take six months to complete.
For more information please visit the Advanced Work Notice HERE.
Come along to St Anne's Hall, Aylesbury Road, Wendover, HP22 6JG today between 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm to view the Wendover and Small Dean Viaducts and the Green Tunnel Portal designs and to speak to the design team.
If you cannot make it today the exhibition will be taking place again on -
12 September 2018, 11:30 am - 8:00 pm Ballinger War Memorial Hall, Ballinger Road, Great Missenden HP16 9LQ
29 September 2018, 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm St Anne's Hall, Aylesbury Road, Wendover, HP22 6JG
You can also view the designs and give your feedback here .
Come along to our Heritage Open Day, Exploring St Mary’s medieval church ruins – unearthing the past and discovering local stories
From 12:00pm on Sunday 9 September at the Stoke Mandeville Community Centre on Eskdale Road, we are hosting an afternoon of talks and activities on themes around the history and heritage of St Mary’s medieval church site and ruins. The talks will also explore the archaeological burial investigations that will be taking place there.
The day is free to attend and open to any member of the public, for all ages and we invite visitors to come and share their memories and stories about the area with us as part of an exciting oral history recording project.
The event is part of this year’s Heritage Days Festival , England’s biggest festival of heritage and culture.
You can find out more about the event on our upcoming local events page
As part of HS2’s preparation works, our main works contractor Eiffage Kier, will be carrying out further ground investigations along the route from south of Wendover to Quainton.
More details about the sequence of works can be found in the works notice here .
To learn more about HS2 Ground Investigations, you can view the video here .
Come and talk to us at our walk in exhibition at :
on Tuesday 21 August 2018, between 2pm and 7pm
This public event will be focusing upon the haul road, widening of Link Road and the road alterations on the A413 and Frith Hill roundabouts. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
Come and talk to us at our information events at:
on Thursday 6 September 2018, 1.00 pm and 6.00 pm
on Wednesday 12 September 2018, between 11.30 am and 8.00 pm
on Saturday 29 September 2018, between 12.00 noon and 6.00 pm
These events are public events focusing upon the Wendover Dean and Small Dean Viaducts and the Wendover Green Tunnel key design elements. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the HS2 enquiries team on 08081 434 434 or via HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk
We will be starting works on the former St Mary’s Church site in Stoke Mandeville. This is a significant archaelogical site where we hope to learn more about the history of the local area and the people who lived there. Read more about these archaeological works in the notification here.
Ground Investigation work near Quainton
National Grid is required to move a number of overhead electricity lines, pylons and gas pipelines along the HS2 route to allow for the build and operation of the new railway. During 2019 National Grid will move and raise the height of some electricity pylons and overhead line to the west of Quainton.
To inform the design of the new pylons Balfour Beatty will undertake ground investigation surveys between 13 and 31 August 2018. Surveying will be done in both pylon locations by a small team (approx. 4 people), with at least two vehicles and equipment including a drilling rig. An access assessment will be done by Balfour Beatty and at this moment we don’t expect to close roads or to install temporary traffic lights but will keep you updated if there are any changes once the assessment has been completed.
Core working hours will be from 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays (excluding bank holidays) and from 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Except in the case of an emergency, any work required to be undertaken outside of core hours (not including repairs or maintenance) will be agreed with the local authority.
None of the works described here will affect electricity supplies.
Please contact National Grid Community Relations team if you have any queries about National Grid’s work or role with HS2 Ltd. The team are available 7am-7pm Monday to Friday on 0800 073 1047 or you can email info@nationalgridhs2.com .
For more HS2 information email: hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk Telephone: 08081 434 434 Engagement Team: areacentralengagement@hs2.org.uk Website: www.gov.uk/hs2 High Speed Two (HS2) Limited, 2 Snowhill, Queensway, Birmingham B4 6GA.
As part of HS2’s programme of surveying works in your local area, we recently sent letters to residents about the need to carry out investigations into the utilities running below the ground in the location shown on the works notification and map here .
The works will now start on Monday 20th August and take five days to be completed.
It is expected that works on London Road outside Wendover - scheduled for 30th July 2018 will now be delayed for at least 4 weeks. We will agree with Buckinghamshire County Council permission to carry out the works at a later date and keep you notified as soon as we know when these have been rescheduled.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have cause.
The Department of Transport has appointed a new independent Construction Commissioner. The Construction Commissioner undertakes independent reviews of complaints related to construction received by HS2 Ltd.
Their role will be to provide independent, impartial decisions as well as advice on how to make a complaint and will build relationships across industry and community groups, local authorities, HS2 Ltd and contractors.
Sir Mark Worthington, the new Construction Commissioner, has more than 20 years of experience working with government.
We recently updated our guidance on how to make a complaint to HS2 Ltd. This can be found at this https://www.hs2.org.uk/how-to-complain .
For any urgent issues that may need to be quickly resolved, you can call our 24/7 Freephone Community Helpline on 08081 434 434 .
More information about the appointment can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sir-mark-worthington-appointed-as-independent-hs2-construction-commissioner
As we move into the next stage of building the new railway, we are introducing security and safety support vehicles as part of our plan to ensure that the public and those working on the project, as well as property and sites along the route, remain safe and secure.
These units will be working along the Phase One route to respond to incidents and will be working 24 hours a day.
Their tasks might include responding to a security incident or checking to see if property or a piece of land is secure. The units will be working in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire and the surrounding HS2 project area.
If you have any questions please call our Freephone Community Helpline on 08081 434 434 or speak to your local engagement manager.
If you suspect a crime, you should always call 999 or 101.
They will begin in August 2018 and be available for the duration of the project.
As part of HS2’s continued programme of surveying works in the local area, we need to carry out investigations into the services (gas, electricity, water, cable etc.) running below ground under the A413 just to the south of Wendover. There will be no disruption to any of your services during these works. Details about the notification can be found here . Aswell as details of our activities in and around the Wendover area here.
Due to the summer break at Quainton Coffee Morning, there will not be a drop in session during August.
HS2 Drop in sessions will begin again in September, please see Updated Quainton Drop In Sessions
Come along and meet Emma your HS2 Community Engagement Manager at her drop-in session below.
More details of works in The Chalfonts can also be found here .
Come along and meet the HS2 and Eiffage Kier JV Community Engagement Managers at the Waddesdon Fete on 1st July 2018.
The managers will have a range of information available including maps/plans and details of the HS2 Community and Environment Fund.
The fete takes place between 1pm - 6pm at Waddesdon Cricket Ground, Silk St, Waddesdon, Aylesbury HP18 0JH. For more details about the fete please visit Waddesdon Fete Face Book Page
Health and safety is a top priority for the successful delivery of HS2 Ltd.
We recognise that there are many schools in close proximity to our planned works and it is important for us to ensure that children understand the dangers that construction sites can pose. We have a duty to engage directly with local schools to communicate and reinforce the importance of staying safe when living and playing near construction sites.
We have appointed Arc Theatre to deliver Playing it Safe , an interactive health and safety workshop designed for primary schools along the Phase One route of HS2. The workshop uses drama to communicate the dangers present on construction sites and the surrounding areas, as well as the consequences of trespassing on those sites.
The workshop is available to Years 5 and 6 with audiences of between 30 and 90 pupils, with each session lasting between 60-75 minutes. Arc can deliver up to two sessions in one school per day.
The workshop is completely free of charge, but limited and offered to schools closest to the route. If you would like your local school to take part in this workshop please ask them to contact Nita@arctheatre.com or call 020 8595 8509 .
The first strategic award to be made from the HS2 Community & Environment Fund (CEF) was announced by the HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani today on a visit to Wendover Woods near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.
The £450,000 grant for the Wendover Woods Recreational Development project will help deliver a new woodland hub for visitors to use, with an adventure trail, café and parking for 600 visitors at Wendover Woods.
The grant will be received by Forest Enterprise England. Find out more about the announcement here .
A community project in Aylesbury Vale is among the first recipients of a share of government funding worth £45million over 11 years
The full press release and full details can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/community-projects-to-benefit-from-45-million-of-hs2-government-funding
HS2 revealed an outline concept for the Colne Valley viaduct, which will help inform development of its final design and form the basis for wider discussions with local communities. For further information, please see:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-reveals-colne-valley-viaduct-concepts