The threat to walking routes by a proposed high-speed railway are not being acknowledged, say Ramblers. Photo: Southeastern Railway CC-BY-SA-2.0
At least 150 footpaths are under threat from plans to build England’s high-speed railway between London and Birmingham.
The Ramblers said the proposed route would either bisect or obliterate a large number of paths and risk damaging 10 sites of special scientific interest.
In Buckinghamshire alone, 56 paths would need diverting or altering by the building of bridges and tunnels.
Fourteen of the 20 affected rights of way in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty risk being lost permanently and seven Oxfordshire paths will be crossed by the HS2 route.
The campaigning charity welcomed the House of Commons Select Committee on Transport report which, it said, outlined environmental gaps in the Government’s business plan for HS2.
But the threat to walking routes was not being acknowledged, the Ramblers said.
Campaigns officer Rachel Alcock said: “Footpaths need to be accounted for now, in advance planning stages and the current potential impact from HS2 viewed as disruption to an entire network of public access to the countryside.
“If they are neglected and left to be dealt with case by case during the planning process, these footpaths will be at risk from being scrapped from our maps forever.
“What this means is not only an entire network of paths being shut down, but access to the countryside that surrounds these footpaths being cut off for good.”
The Ramblers said they do not object to High Speed Rail in principle, but their concern is that HS2 proposals have implications for footpaths and walkers that have not yet been analysed and there has been no guidance provided on how footpaths will be addressed.
Ms Alcock added: “We will continue to campaign vigorously to reduce the effects on the rights of way network, on footpaths and the surrounding countryside.
“The select committee report has only strengthened this position by acknowledging the current lack of clarity surrounding the environmental impact of HS2.
“The Ramblers agree that anything less than a full environmental impact assessment, including the impact on footpaths, would be insufficient and irresponsible. We urge the Government to tackle this issue with eyes wide open, to ensure that HS2 takes the best track possible for all.”
The select committee also said the Government should ‘desist from disparaging opponents of high speed rail as Nimbys [Not in my Back Yard]’. Both sides in the debate should show respect for each other and focus on the facts, the MPs said.
The committee also said the Government should look at the environmental impact of extending the ‘y-route’ branching northwards to Manchester and Leeds before a final decision on HS2 is made.
Bob Shildon
09 November 2011I like the photo, did you take it?
Paul
09 November 2011Sorry, I'm not a strong supporter of HS2, but this statement from The Ramblers in absolute rubbish.
Even I know that HS2 have produced a detailed factsheet stating how they they will try to avoid impacts to footpaths and will work with The Ramblers and local communities to rationalise any impacts and develop opportunities. In fact I have the sheet in front of me as I write!
When I was at the consultation event I spoke to one of their people who made it VERY clear that a letter had been especially sent to The Ramblers from the HS2 senior manager that describes how they would avoid impacts etc. So yes it has been acknowledged.
Clearly The Ramblers have made no attempt to meet HS2 people so perhaps they should simply pick up a phone and organise something. Perhaps they should visit the HS2 website and learn about the proposal. Easy!
Rachel Alcock - Ramblers Campaigns Officer
10 November 2011Dear Paul,
Thanks for your comments on our release. I just want to correct several of the points you raise. I am not aware of the factsheet you mention and we do not have a copy of any sort of document which outlines how footpaths will be dealt with if or when the plan for the line goes ahead. HS2 have made it clear to us that rights of way will be dealt with on a local level, after the route has been confirmed. In fact in their Local Area route guides, which were available at the consultation events, the Department for Transport outline local heritage sites, landscape features, roads and property which have been considered and how they will de dealt with. Yet the same statement always appears for rights of way 'any effect on cycle routes and footpaths would be addressed as more detailed planning is done. Wherever possible routes would be reinstated or alternatives provided'.
We have always called for a clear statement from HS2 Limited outlining how they will mitigate the effects to rights of way. There is no guarantee that Ramblers specifically would be consulted at a local level. We have met with HS2 limited and the Department of Transport on several occasions as part of our work with the Right Lines Charter, and have written outlining our concerns. However, most importantly we are worried that at no point have HS2 Limited readdressed their original figure for rights of way along the route (27), when clearly the true amount is far more.