Stop HS2 campaigners in Warwickshire, Buckinghamshire and London will be marking the second anniversary of the announcement of HS2 by holding a series of walks through the areas which will be destroyed by the project which they maintain has no business case, no environmental case and which there is no money to pay for.
Confirmed events are as follows-
SATURDAY 10TH MARCH. Stoke Manderville 10AM – Start at Old Risborough Road, near the Bucks Goat Centre and Obsidian Art, HP22 5XJ, where the line will cross. The walk goes around the SW side of Aylesbury to beyond Hartwell House and back in a big loop. The walk is never more than two fields away from the proposed route. Event link at https://stophs2.org/events?event_id=136
SUNDAY 11TH MARCH. Walks along the Coventry Way and Kenilworth Greenway to Burton Green. The Kenilworth Greenway is a four and a half mile long disused railway which has long since become a footpath and was awarded lottery funding in public vote on the ITV programme ‘The Peoples Lottery’ as part of the Sustrans Connect 2 network. HS2 supporters have tried to make a big deal of the fact HS2 would use an old railway, but the reality is they will only take about a quarter of a mile (6%) of the Greenway, right in the middle, where peoples houses are which will require demolition in the village of Burton Green, where 27 letters warning of potential compulsory purchase have been issued. Start points – 11am Stoneleigh Village Hall, Vicarage Road, CV8 3DH this walk will initially walk to the Kenilworth start point of The Engine, Mill End CV8 2HP. Free soup will be available at The Engine from 12pm before departing to Burton Green at 12.30. Walkers will meet at the Berskwell/Balsall Common end of the line at the Brickmakers Arms, Station Road, CV7 7EG to depart to Burton Green at 12.30. There will be entertainments, a licensed bar, batches, cakes and teas at Burton Green Village Hall, Hodgetts Lane, CV8 1PL from 1pm. Event link at https://stophs2.org/events?event_id=134
SUNDAY 11TH MARCH. Cubbington. 10.45am for 11.00am start. Three walks through the woods and on public footpaths starting from KING’S HEAD, Church Hill, Cubbington, CV42 7JY. Choose one walk from 2, 4 or 6 miles in countryside which will be lost to future generations. Event link at https://stophs2.org/events?event_id=138
SUNDAY 18TH MARCH. Perviale, Greenford. There will be a public meeting at Perivale Community Centre, Horsenden Lane South, South Greenford, Greenford UB6 7NP from 5pm with Green Party LAM, Jenny Jones. Prior to this, people are invited to walk around Perivale Wood from 4pm. Jenny Jones will join walkers after meeting residents from 4.40pm. Event link at https://stophs2.org/events?event_id=139
SUNDAY 25TH MARCH. Denham. There will be a mass ramble through the Colne Valley on the first day of British Summer Time. HS2 would slice through Denham Country Park on a 2¼-mile viaduct. The walk starts at 1.00pm at the park’s Information Centre, UB9 5PG and will take in six miles of attractive lakes and rivers, the Grand Union canal and ancient woodlands directly in the path of HS2. Some of the excellent amenities for rambling, sailing, water-skiing and fishing will be destroyed or severely compromised by the £33bn project. Experts will be stationed along the route to explain the additional impact on the Country Park’s profusion of migrating birds and wildlife.
Frank Partridge of Denham Against HS2 said: “We invite local residents and sympathisers from far and wide to join the walk and show their support. The event has been designed to be informative as well as a fun family day out, and we are organising a treasure hunt for children.” “Everyone is welcome whether people want to walk just a mile or two, joining or leaving at any point along the circuit. Most of the route is disability friendly, and we encourage people of all ages and fitness levels to join us to demonstrate their opposition to this misguided and wasteful project, which will cost every family in the country, whether they use the train or not, more than £1,400.” The information booth will be open from 11:00 – 4:00pm on 25th March 2012 at the Denham Country Park Centre. Free parking will be available on the day, and presentations and maps will detail the impact of the proposed HS2 route on the first area of green space to the west of London. Committee members will be on hand to answer questions and discuss concerns throughout the afternoon. Event link at https://stophs2.org/events?event_id=133
For More information on any of the walks contact:
1. Kenilworth Greenway – Joe Rukin 07811 371880.
2. Cubbington – Rose Guiot 01926 425283
3. Perivale – Alex Neiora 07813 777030
4. Denham – Tara Farley 07785 707714