Alternative route for HS2 haul road in Chalfont St Peter has been approved.

The Buckinghamshire County Council and HS2 contractors, Align, have worked together to find a better solution for access to the planned Chalfont St Peter tunnel vent shaft.

HS2 Ltd had originally planned to use Chesham Lane, Denham Lane and Joiners Lane as their construction route.

However due to its close proximity to Robertswood School, Montessori Nursery School, the Epilepsy Society, and Woodland Manor Care Home, this route was deemed unsuitable.

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This proposal meant that HS2 traffic would be too close to young children and vulnerable adults walking along the road, and there was a concern about parking problems along the route.

Buckinghamshire County Council and Chalfont St Peter Parish Council originally asked Parliament in 2015 to provide an alternative haul road across land between the A413 Amersham Road and Chesham Lane. At that time HS2 Ltd acknowledged some benefits, but said that, on balance, it was too expensive and not feasible.

Upon the contractors revaluation of the alternative haul road they believed it would be a safer solution and the plan was approved yesterday by Chiltern District Council's Planning Committee (December 16).

Historic England made no comment and Natural England made no objection to the application.

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However, a condition of planning permission is a full site restoration plan to mitigate the temporary environmental effect on the character of the area.

A Chalfont St Peter construction compound will be in use for a minimum of four years, with busy traffic for around 10 months: up to 106 two-way heavy lorry movements a day during the peak construction months.

Construction of the vent shaft is expected to start early next year.