What we are facing locally?

The impact on Quainton and Waddesdon

Locally the impact would be profound. Not only will it create a permanent physical divide between Quainton and Waddesdon, but it will also destroy livelihoods and the peace and tranquillity of the beautiful rural landscape.  The threat of noise pollution is extensive, with sound levels potentially reaching over 123 decibels 1 metre from the track. This is illegal in France where, due to potential hearing damage, the TGV is not allowed to be built within 450m of houses. Not only are both villages well within this range but high speed rail is faster and therefore louder. Some of the issues confronting local residents include:

• A loud noise upto 95 decibels at 25 metres
• A train every 90 seconds from 5am-12 midnight
• Trains approaching and leaving a depot 3 miles away in Calvert between 12 midnight- 5am
• Noise 24/7 above 40 decibels, which is proven to disturb human sleep patterns which can seriously damage health ( source: The World Health Organisation)
• Wider than the M25: The track will be 22 metres, but with access roads, vegetation-free zones, cuttings and embankments it will be up to 110 metres wide.
• Non-vegetation zone on either side of rail track
• At least two years construction work along the Waddesdon and Quainton section of the route
• Road closures and diversions on roads connecting to the two villages, including the A41, Quainton Road and Station Road.
• The destruction of businesses, farmland, houses, listed heritage properties, natural habitats, SSSI status woods, nature reserves and rights of way.
• The loss of rare habitats and biodiversity, threatening species such as the Black Hairstreak Butterfly whose population is small and protected under UK law, with 95% of its population located right next to the proposed track in North Bucks, and the very rare the Bechstein’s Bat (protected by EU and UK law) located in two woods that will be bisected by the track between Quainton and Calvert.

You can view the latest route plan for HS2 through Quainton here and Waddesdon here .

 

Endangered Bechstein’s Bat found at Finemere (©North Bucks Bat Group)