Lanes in the AoNB

Proposals designed to preserve the character of the Lanes in the AoNB, between Frith Hill and Wendover

These proposals concern 3 lanes which cross the proposed route -

• Rocky Lane
• Bowood Lane
• Leather Lane

and two adjacent lanes -

• Kings Lane
• Potter Row

All are typical of the small by-ways found in the Chilterns, and so are essential to preserving the character of the area.

We propose that

HS2 Construction traffic be prohibited from using these five lanes

and consequentially

The lanes are not to be used as access points for construction compounds related to the works.

This would require HS2 to create some alternative access to the route - see the 'Alternative Scheme' below. This would have the ( long term ) advantage that it is easier to restore a field to something resembling its previous condition, than it would be to restore the lanes ( and associated hedgerows ) to anything approaching their current state, which results from decades of neglect by the highway authorities.

The absence of construction traffic on the lanes would be an added bonus, although this may increase their attraction to traffic avoiding the A413 during construction.

HS2 Scheme

Initial proposals ( presented at Wendover Community Forum, Nov 2012 )

While the list of works released at Wendover shows access via Bowood Lane, the maps subsequently released show access along the line from Rocky Lane. Development of the proposal ( below ) is on hold, until this situation is resolved

 

Rocky Lane

Rocky Lane is the access route to the Rocky Lane (under) bridge compound, & possibly associated with the Smalldean viaduct works ( details were omitted at the consultation ). Rocky Lane is wide enough for two cars, from the A413 to the proposed compound, and could potentially be used for access.

The lane is to be realigned, being moved some 20m or so downhill and lowered by a couple of meters. It would be useful to know the bridge height available with and without this realignment. Since the road above the bridge ( towards Kings Ash ) is unsuitable for HGVs, it may be that a reduced bridge height might be acceptable. Alternatively, if the ( 2.10 %) line gradient at the southern end of the Ellesborough road green tunnel ( 53+400 to 54+200 ) was extended slightly, the line would be higher up at the existing crossing, and the small increase achieved by realignment would be unnecessary.

 

Bowood Lane

Leather Lane

Leather Lane provides access to the Leather Lane compound, which services the Leather Lane bridge works. Leather Lane has a similar character to Bowood Lane, and although slightly wider, it is still single track with passing places. As for Bowood Lane, any improvements would be highly detrimental to the lane & the AoNB

Alternative Scheme

An alternative scheme would be to construct a new 'Lanes Relief Road' , on the line of the existing footpath from Dutchlands Farm ( on the A413 ) to Kings Ash Lane ( Rushmore Wood ) - see Map. The new road would provide access to either one new compound, where it crosses the proposed route, or to the two compounds at Bowood & Leather Lane, via 'haul roads' along the route. It would continue onwards to join Kings Ash Lane, and so be available as a diversion while the Bowood and Leather Lane bridges were under construction. The advantages of the scheme are

• Construction traffic would be removed from Leather & Bowood Lanes, so no 'improvements' would be necessary
• By using the relief road as a diversion, the proposed realignment of Bowood & Leather Lanes would not be necessary ( The realignment is to allow the new road to be built, while the existing road is still in use )
• The new road could be reinstated as a field, once construction was completed

Traffic management

To maintain traffic flow during the construction phase, we recommend that

• only one of Rocky & Leather Lanes should undergo major reconstruction at the same time
• In anticipation of commuters seeking to avoid the A413, Bowood & Leather Lanes be made one way for the duration of construction in the area - Bowood downhill, Leather Lane uphill .