11:51am Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Andy Carswell
HIGH speed trains could run along a planned new line every four minutes, residents were told last night.
Amersham Mayor Martin Phillips made the announcement at yesterday's annual meeting of the town council, to gasps of disbelief from residents.
And he called for people to work together to protest against the proposed route, which was unveiled by the Government on Thursday.
Cllr Phillips said of the plans: “It will be a blot on the landscape for the people living in the valley.”
He said the line would run parallel to School Lane in Old Amersham and exit a tunnel just past the football club.
It would also run underneath the Tesco supermarket in the Old Town.
Cllr Phillips quipped: “Following what happened in Gerrards Cross, I don't think that's a very good idea” - a reference to a tunnel being built under a planned store in the town which collapsed.
He said 14 trains would use the line each hour – one every 4.2 minutes.
But he added: “Last time I got the train to Manchester it cost me £250, so I can't imagine there will be much demand for this.”
A public meeting is due to be held at the Misbourne School in Great Missenden on March 29 at 7.30pm. Amersham and Chesham MP Cheryl Gillan and Buckinghamshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport Cllr Val Letheren will be among the speakers.
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