FOUR people have been charged after attempting to disrupt the building of the new HS2 line in Wendover.

HS2 is a planned high-speed rail line being built from London to the North-West, with the hopes of connecting Scotland, Manchester, Birmingham and London.

It is the largest infrastructure project in Europe and is currently under construction with completion expected between 2029 and 2033.

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Part of the line is being built in Wendover – namely a 450m-long viaduct which will be the first major railway bridge.

However, the project has caused controversy with some people worried about the potential impact on the countryside.

Four people were arrested for attempting to disrupt the construction of the viaduct.

George Keeler 23, Daniel Hooper, 50, William Harewood, 32, and Sacha James, 22, were all charged with one count of obstructing/disrupting a person engaged in a lawful activity.

They were caught between September 10, 2021 and November 10 and 14, 2021, trespassing on the construction site between Small Dean Lane and London Road.

On the land, they were caught hiding and digging underground with the intention to have the effect of obstructing or disrupting the construction of the line.

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It is unknown why the four were attempting to disrupt the construction of the site but they all pleaded guilty in May this year.

They were also all charged with one count of resisting an enforcement officer who was engaged in executing a writ issued from the High Court.

However, this count was subsequently dismissed for all defendants with the Crown Prosecution Service offering no evidence.

Keeler, of Denmark Road, Buckinghamshire, was given a period of conditional discharge for 12 months. There was also a victim surcharge of £22.

Hooper, of Llandeilo, was given a community order to complete 40 hours of unpaid work. There was also a victim surcharge of £95.

Harwood, of Colston Road, Bristol, was given a period of conditional discharge of 18 months. There was also a victim surcharge of £22.

James, of Denmark Road, Buckinghamshire, was given a period of conditional discharge for 12 months. There were also court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £22.

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This is not the first case of HS2 construction sites being disrupted, with protesters digging a 100ft tunnel network secretly at the Euston site in January and February 2021 and spending 31 days underground.

The court heard that the disruption to HS2's work at the Euston site cost about £3.5m.