Mum and son walk HS2 route in bid to derail controversial line - The Coventry Observer

Mum and son walk HS2 route in bid to derail controversial line

Coventry Editorial 29th May, 2019   0

A MUM and son have walked the route of HS2 in a last ditch bid to derail the controversial line.

Gerry Bishop and son Matt protested against the high speed line by walking 100 miles from Cubbington to London, which took them 11 days.

Matt – who owns Leam Boat Centre – says after years campaigning against HS2, he hopes the walk has drawn even more awareness about the damage it will do to the countryside.

He was joined on the walk by his 72-year-old mum, who last year underwent an operation for a broken ankle and had metal plates fitted in her foot.




And supporters turned out in their droves to show their opposition against the line, with as many as 45 people joining them at one point.

Matt told the Observer: “The highs on the walk were definitely seeing the beautiful countryside and how inspired and grateful people were along the route. It was so touching, so many had given up.


“The lows were witnessing the countryside being destroyed – seeing giant oaks laying in log piles and hearing how terribly people have been treated by their own government. They can fence off your land and tell you that you have 12 weeks to get out, taking everything people have worked for.

“Most people have no idea about the scale of earth works and machinery coming to their local countryside.”

The line linking London and Birmingham will stretch for 190km – of which 54km will cut through the heart of Warwickshire, also resulting in the loss of ancient woodland in Cubbington, including its prize-winning pear tree.

To raise even more awareness Matt is holding a family friendly gathering at Crackley Wood in Kenilworth on Sunday (June 2) including walks to showcase the threatened parts of the woodland.

People are invited to bring picnics and there will be games held between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Search Walk the Line – Stop HS2 on Facebook for more information.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Coventry Observer.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Coventry Observer.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.