HS2 construction compound could be based in Cubbington

Members of village’s Action Group Against HS2 met officials of HS2 Ltd at the last Offchurch and Cubbington Community Forum meeting and were told that green belt land in the area around the junction of Coventry Road and Leicester Lane - the A445 - has been selected as a site for a construction compound for the project.

The officials were not able to say how large the compound would be or when it would be in place but work on HS2, if Parliament gives the go-ahead, is due to start in 2017.

Peter Delow, the chairman of Cubbington Action Group Against HS2, said: “While we appreciate that such facilities will be required should the construction of HS2 go-ahead, it’s something of a bombshell to learn that Cubbington has been selected for this dubious honour. The people living on this stretch of Leicester Lane will be badly affected by the construction and operation of the railway itself, so the added impacts of the construction compound will just add to the misery. I think we can expect the impacts of construction to include noise, dust, possible night disturbance and increased heavy goods traffic on the A445.

“We can anticipate that the compound site will be temporary, only functioning during HS2 construction, and expect that the land will be restored to its previous condition when the compound is no longer required. On top of the potential impacts of HS2 on Cubbington that we were already aware of - including the destruction of ancient woodland in South Cubbington Wood - this latest revelation just reinforces our determination to fight this unwanted and unaffordable white elephant.”

The action group has two fundraising events coming up.

The first is a beetle drive for adults and children , which will take place at the village hall in Broadway on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

Entrance will be £2 for adults and £1 for children and will include refreshments and ‘creepy’ prizes for youngsters.

And on Sunday group members will lead a four-mile circular Autumn Walk from Cubbington to Weston through countryside which is threatened by HS2.

Walkers can meet outside the King’s Head pub in Church Hill from 2.30pm.

Strong shoes or wellies are recommended and dogs are not allowed.

Participation is free but donations would be appreciated.

For more information about the group and its events click here