A 100-year-old church in Buckinghamshire was given a grant worth ten of thousands of pounds by HS2 for crucial improvements.

St Michael and All Angels Community Church in Amersham secured around £56,000 from the high-speed railway’s Community and Environment Fund.

The HS2 fund was created to “add benefit to communities along the route that are demonstrably disrupted by the construction” – such as improvement of the Church’s facilities for the 600 people who come through its doors each week.

Alan Jarvis, Spokesperson for St Michael and All Angels Community Church, said: “We are delighted to have received financial support from HS2 to be able to refurbish and upgrade our Community Hall for the benefit of our users.”

With the money, the Church plans to install new access point and paving between the car park and the community hall for better access for visitors with disabilities and pushchairs, a canopy to keep the weather out and create a covered buggy park.

Alongside new emergency doors, the Church will be retrofitted with LED lights, electric vehicle charging points outside, and electric water heaters, which is set to help the Church reach its zero-carbon goals.

Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds, said: “St Michael and All Angels Community Church has sat in the heart of the Amersham community for the last century and HS2’s sizeable investment through the Community and Environment Fund will ensure the Church continues to be able to serve local people for decades to come.

“The grant awarded to the Church will also be instrumental in opening up the facilities to residents from all age groups.”

Part of the money will also pay for a community garden with planters and seating made out of recycled plastics, which are designed to match the existing planters on Amersham’s High Street.