Campaigners for Chiltern nature have spoken about the second sinkhole to appear due to HS2 works.
The second sinkhole caused by HS2 tunnelling works was discovered in Hyde Heath near Amersham right next to a public bridleway, leading to the closure of the path to the public.
Buckinghamshire Council leader Martin Tett visited the sinkhole with councillors Steven Broadbent and Gareth Williams on Friday, November 10.
Now Chiltern Society has expressed concern over the risk of more sinkholes after the Hyde Heath hole, which sits a short distance away from an earlier Shardeloes sinkhole and the HS2 Little Missenden ventilation shaft.
Chiltern Society’s HS2 team project manager John Gladwin said: “The Chiltern Society has been concerned about the risk of sinkholes for a long time. We raised the issue with HS2 and Parliament over 10 years ago.
READ MORE: Chalfonts skate and activity park gets planning permission
“The Misbourne Valley has had a number of sinkholes develop over the years, from Chalfont St Peter all the way up the valley to Great Missenden, and we believe there is a risk that further sinkholes may appear along the final section of tunnelling to South Heath, Great Missenden.
“The Chiltern Society will be closely monitoring this and potential future sink holes in the Chilterns.”
HS2 spokesperson said they informed the landowner and put “extra monitoring in place” on the ground before the sinkhole appeared after tunnelling data showed an indication of a potential geological feature near the woodland.
The spokesperson for HS2 added: “We have been engaging with all key stakeholders including Buckinghamshire Council, Affinity Water and the Environment Agency, throughout the excavation of the Chiltern tunnels and we will keep them updated as we go forward.”
The giant 2,000 tonne TBMs Florence and Cecilia reached the Little Missenden ventilation shaft in August on their way through excavating the 10-mile-long Chiltern tunnel.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here