Early morning commuters were met by HS2 protesters on Tuesday on the A413 between Chalfont St Giles and Chalfont St Peter amid fears over a planned new road.

Residents and Stop HS2 campaigners are protesting against the proposed access road and temporary fencing, signalised junction and access gate that would largely go through grassland between the HS2 vent shaft compound in Chalfont St Peter and the A413.

A planning application for the plans could be given the go-ahead by Chiltern District Council's planning committee on December 16 - and if put through, could bring 108 more diesel lorries onto the A413 per day at the peak of the works.

The application has been recommended for conditional approval.

HS2 say the reason this route is being proposed is to avoid putting HGVs down Chesham Lane, Denham Lane and Joiners Lane - which goes through the centre of Chalfont St Peter, passing Robertswood School, Woodland Manor Care Home, the Montessori Nursery and the Epilepsy Society, whose centre includes residential care.

Protesters are also concerned about the "destruction" of wildlife it could potentially cause as the area is known to be home to badgers and hedgerows and trees would be removed.

Elizabeth Cairns, protest organiser, Stop HS2 co-founder and mum-of-two said: “Local people need to wake up to the destruction that is happening at the hands of HS2 right under our noses.

“HS2 local engagement is limited and so many residents have no idea what this project will actually mean day-to-day for the next 10 years or more of construction.

“We know HS2 are not complying with EU Habitat Directives and UK Wildlife laws and it will take all of us to stand up and hold them to account in every way possible for this project to be stopped."

Campaigners are calling on residents to object to the planning application before December 16 and join the Stop HS2 campaign.