Campaigners walk the line to halt rail plans

Sep 8 2010 By Camilla Goodman, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

high speed rail

CAMPAIGNERS against the proposed High Speed Two (HS2) rail line are to march through the countryside this weekend along the route the track is set to devastate.

The eight-mile protest walk will take place on Saturday, starting at Amersham station and finishing at Great Missenden station.

People wanting to take part are being asked to raise sponsorship for organisers The Chiltern Society's anti-HS2 fund, which will be used to start a case against HS2 and to start a major publicity campaign this autumn.

Places are limited for the eight-mile walk - for health and safety reasons - and it is now almost fully booked. However the society will also be putting on a separate two-mile walk that anybody can join on the day.

Organiser Jim Rodda said: "We have had to limit the numbers for health and safety reasons but the opposition to HS2 crossing the Chilterns is universal in this part of the world so far as I can see."Only by walking the route can you truly appreciate the utter devastation HS2 would bring, and realise not only the horrendous visual impact it will have but how the noise from these enormous trains would carry over the valley."

The society has decided to fight for the preservation of the Chilterns and is preparing evidence to present to the public consultation. Its members do not oppose the principle of high-speed rail, they just do not want it to run directly through the Chilterns.

Society member Carol Rainsford, who will be taking part in the walk, said: "I think the society is really determined to ensure that HS2 does not spoil the Chilterns. It will not even benefit us because it doesn't stop here; it's just going to ruin our beautiful area."

Most of the walk is on public rights of way but Mr Rodda obtained permission from landowners where the route crosses private land.

Ms Rainsford said: "We will be sticking as close to the proposed route as possible. In some parts we will actually be walking where the track will go."

The walk is expected to finish at around 3pm in Great Missenden, where an information day will also be running from 11am to 4pm at the Origins Gallery, in High Street, providing details on HS2 and the Exceptional Hardship Scheme.

Anybody can join in the two-mile walk, which will start at Chiltern District Council's car park, in King George V Road, at about 10am and finish in School Lane.

The Buckinghamshire Examiner and Advertiser launched a Save our Chilterns campaign earlier this year against HS2, following the previous government's announcement its preferred route would tunnel under the Chalfonts and Amersham Old Town and emerge close to Great Missenden.

For more information log on to www.chilternsociety.org.uk or call the Chiltern Society on 01494 771 250.