CAMPAIGNERS against High Speed 2 are fighting it on three fronts, a meeting attended by a Labour Lord heard.

More than 100 people, including Lord Wilf Stevenson packed Great Missenden's Memorial Hall.

Among the key points to be raised at the Sunday gathering were from tunnel experts, who gave presentations on tunnelling methods and details of plans being drawn up for one in the Chilterns.

The meeting was told that HS2 Ltd is insisting any AONB-wide tunnel would have to include a 500 metre long above ground 'escape facility' to comply with EU regulations.

The prospect of that site being Mantles Wood, right in the heart of the AONB, was raised.

Campaigners said any tunnel should go through without a break.

Independent Chiltern District Councillor Seb Berry said: "Plan A, B, C and D must be to stop HS2".

He added: "It's important that people recognise the full impacts of proposals for a full tunnel solution with an escape facility in the middle of the AONB.

“While an improvement on the Government's January 10 statement, it would not be a panacea."

Shirley Judges of the Chilterns Conservation Board said: "We are now fighting HS2 on three fronts.

“The first is still to stop HS2. HS2 is extravagant and unnecessary and we will continue to fight it. The second front is the Judicial Reviews - there are now five.”

The reviews have been brought forward by a combination of campaign bodies, affected councils and environmental organisations.

She said: “We hope that they will force the Government to think again. The third is mitigation. If HS2 is built we don't want to be able to see, hear or sense it."

She encouraged residents to consider what kind of mitigation measures they want to see, if all else fails, so these can be put forward at a series of community forum meetings being held with HS2 Ltd.

The Government have insisted HS2 is vital for increasing capacity on the overcrowded rail network and will create jobs.

Ministers have said it will help bridge the north-south divide and boost the economy. In Parliament the plans have attracted cross party support.