Wendover Lib Dems slam HS2 proposal to send Heavy Goods Vehicles through Wendover

Wendover Liberal Democrats have strongly criticised HS2 proposals to send up to 14 HGV return trips per day for up to 14 weeks through the heart of Wendover. The proposals and forthcoming planning application particularly impact residents of South Street and Dobbins Lane, but the effects will be felt more widely in the town.

Lib Dem campaigner Seb Berry said “this proposal, which has been hanging over local residents since early 2024, truly beggars belief.  I defy anyone to take a walk along South Street and Dobbins Lane and conclude that this is an appropriate route for multiple HGV movements for over 3 months. Buckinghamshire Council should have made it abundantly clear to HS2 at the pre-planning application phase, that their proposals were completely unacceptable, but they clearly didn’t.”

HS2 contractors EKFB say that the HGVs are needed to build a ‘Spring Chamber’, a 4m x 3m concrete structure used to control the release of naturally occurring spring water into local watercourses, as required by the Environment Agency.

Crucially, EKFB also plan to upgrade the existing field tracks at the end of Dobbins Lane to access the Spring Chamber, into a permanent route for heavy machinery and vehicles. This track upgrade work accounts for the bulk of the HGV movements and requires the approval of Buckinghamshire Council. EKFB say that they have “been in regular dialogue with the Council throughout 2024” about the proposals.” According to Wendover HS2 Mitigation Action Group, EKFB and Buckinghamshire Council are understood to have reached an ‘agreement in principle’ that the materials for the track upgrade and the heavy equipment can be transported along South Street and Dobbins Lane.” So, it’s no wonder that local anger is being directed at Buckinghamshire Council as well as HS2.

Lib Dem campaigner Dean Field pointed out that “The proposal to upgrade the track seems particularly intrusive, and more resident-friendly options should be pursued, including the use of smaller equipment. This is surely the very least that should be required of HS2 in this residential area”. Dean Field added “I feel it’s more important than ever, that the brilliant local campaign to stop this outrageous proposal, gets maximum support, and local Lib Dems are urging everyone to attend the HS2 Drop-In session to be held at the Wendover Tennis and Squash club on Dobbins Lane, from 3-6pm on 19th February. Wendover Lib Dems will continue to call publicly on both HS2 and Buckinghamshire Council to put Wendover residents first, and to think again about how to keep local disruption to an absolute minimum”.