...As are we.

Thank-you for your patience over this past year. It has not been an easy one for our conservation group. We have felt at times as if we have been walking a tightrope. In order to be involved in discussions with Align regarding the future of Leather Lane we have had to honour non-disclosure commitments to Align. This has enabled us to continue to be involved in the development of Align’s designs for the new track crossing at Leather Lane. Over the last year we have doggedly continued to push for better outcomes for the future of the entire ecology of Leather Lane. 

To some degree we are still bound to silence about the current design proposal for Leather Lane. Whilst we cannot share these proposals with you yet, we can tell you that the outcome is currently looking better than we could have hoped. This is all because of the work of the LLCG and the untiring, overwhelming support that you have given us since the beginning of the campaign to save the Oaks, and to preserve the crucial wildlife corridor that Leather Lane provides. 

What we can say without breaking our undertaking to Align is that:

We feel that Align have listened to and carefully considered our suggested proposal to reroute the track crossing to the north rather than to the south of Leather Lane (which would have saved a significant number of Oak trees).
We consider that the current Align proposals are innovative and would provide a greener and better outcome for wildlife than the previous designs shared with us by EKFB.

We are also confident that the current design provides an improved visual outcome from The Lee and Great Missenden as the current proposed track crossing would be lower than that previously proposed by EKFB. Additionally the sound barriers and auto transformers are likely to be positioned in the railway cutting rather than on the horizon. 
And as for Ilona, we can tell you that Align have been extremely sensitive in their design proposals and we can pretty confidently say that based upon the current designs she is safe. 

In fact, Align have proved to be extremely concerned about saving as many Oaks as possible in their design and, whilst we are still currently discussing a few final points we have raised with them about the design, we are pleased to say that for once, even our ecologist believes that HS2’s contractors have got it almost right.

One enormous caveat is that the designs we have seen remain in draft and are subject to change by Align/HS2 until they are submitted to Bucks Council as part of a Schedule 17 application. We understand that Align are currently planning to make that application in spring 2025.

We will be attending a further meeting with Align next week and hope to have answers to our outstanding queries at that meeting.

Standing up against HS2, and holding HS2 and its contractors to account for failings in their original design proposals, ecological surveys and subsequent mitigation at Leather Lane, has taken nearly 4 years. We continue to do so and are so grateful for your dedication and generous support.

We continue to pay our ecologist for advice and provide our bat walks for free. if you are able to donate to support our cause we remain as grateful as ever.

Please donate HERE

 
Bat walks

In other news, we have some very successful bat walks last year and a couple that we had to cancel due to bad weather. We will look to continue those come late spring when the bats become more active after their long winter hibernation. The walks continue to be well attended and feedback is very positive.

Legacy

Never ones to be backward looking we are focusing now on what will be the fate of the old Leather Lane post construction of HS2. We are speaking to various parties about establishing a wildlife conservation area with charity status for the local community. We will keep you posted on our plans as they develop but if you would like to be involved please click the button below. We have also requested that any felled wood from trees on Leather Lane be returned for use in local parishes.

Get involved with the Leather Lane conservation area

It only remains for us to wish you a healthy, happy and harmonious 2025.

With our very best wishes
From all at the Leather Lane Conservation Group