Cubbington HS2 Information/ Fund-raising Event
Sat 15 June 2013
People in Leamington and Cubbington areas had a second chance to see the latest HS2 maps and reports for this area on Saturday 15 June at Cubbington’s Methodist Church Hall. They showed that all mitigation measures suggested by the action group have been rejected by HS2 Ltd. People have been shocked and dismayed to learn about the impacts of HS2 construction, as Peter Delow, action group chairman, comments:
“Not only is it becoming clear that these impacts will be far worse than many have anticipated, but the HS2 Ltd report indicates that it will take much longer than has been previously indicated, spanning the seven years 2017-2023, rather than just eighteen months as we had been given to understand. It has also become clearer how bad the likely noise and visual impact of the completed railway will be on the communities of Cubbington, Offchurch and Weston-under-Wetherley.”
Report 17 of the HS2 Draft Environmental Statement indicates that Cubbington’s ancient woodland will be largely destroyed by a cutting taking over three years to construct, and the celebrated 250 year old wild pear tree will be axed. A high embankment and 11m high viaduct over the River Leam will destroy a peaceful spot inhabited by kingfishers and popular with walkers. *
On local roads the construction of new bridges, traffic diversions and the huge number of construction vehicles will cause great disruption to people travelling from the villages of Offchurch, Weston, Hunningham and Cubbington to Leamington on school runs or to work. In addition there will be dust, mud and air pollution. Peter Delow highlights the construction vehicle traffic estimates revealed in the report *:
“The route for construction vehicles to and from the A445 uses Rugby Road (B4453) and Kenilworth Road, taking them past the homes of many Cubbington residents. The report estimates the likely number of vehicle movements in Offchurch and Cubbington overall at 1350 two-way trips in a peak hour. However this is for construction materials only, and does not include the movement of excavated spoil. Since a spoil treatment compound is planned near Leicester Lane, I think that we can expect many additional lorry trips to and from this compound.”
Cubbington and Offchurch Action Groups sent a detailed formal response to HS2 Ltd’s Consultation on the draft Environmental Statement.
* Report 17 of the HS2 Draft Environmental Statement (Offchurch and Cubbington): Estimates for construction times – 2.3.9, p.19; Vehicle construction traffic 2.3.18 and 12.5.3 – p. 20-21, 86.
