11:21am Tuesday 16th March 2010
By Lawrence Dunhill
HORRIFIED villagers in Hughenden are fearing for the future of their precious valley after it emerged it is in the firing line for the Government's High Speed rail project.
Trains could thunder through Hughenden Valley at speeds of up to 250mph - if there is enough opposition to the preferred route through the Chiltern district.
A wave of protests are set to break out across the Chilterns over the Government's plan – which said a route through Chalfont St Giles, Old Amersham and near to Great Missenden is the “preferred” option.
If this option is defeated by protesters the controversial report said a route tunnelling under Gerrards Cross and Hazlemere, before emerging at Hughenden will be a “genuine alternative”.
Richard Pushman, chairman of Buckinghamshire County Council, said: “I can't believe this is an option – I discovered it to my horror.”
The member for Hughenden added: “To take away the tranquillity of the area would be an act of vandalism - we are extremely concerned about it.”
A 720-metre viaduct would have to be built to span the Hughenden Valley and carry trains which would run non-stop from London to Birmingham. The trains would then go on to Manchester and Leeds.
This option would be more expensive and “slightly inferior” to the first choice route, the report said. (Click the link below for more details on the route)
The preferred route consists of a tunnel beginning at the M25 near Chalfont St Peter and continuing underground through the northern part of Chalfont St Giles and old Amersham.
It would then go overground and run parallel to the A413 just south of Hyde Heath and then on through the fields between Great Missenden and South Heath.
The Government said the service, which would not stop in Bucks, would be a massive boost to the economy and get people off aeroplanes. It would cut journey times between Britain's two biggest cities by about 40 minutes.
Work on the £30 billion project could start in 2019 for the line to be ready in 2026.
Conservation groups and Buckinghamshire Mps have already spoken out against the plan and emotions are set to run high at a public meeting in Great Missenden later this month.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/trade_directory/