HS2 Construction and the Risk to Chilterns’ Rivers

The River Chess Association has been in consultation with HS2 and the Environment Agency  about the potential damage that could be done to the chalk aquifer that supplies the water for the RiverS Misbourne and Chess. HS2 plan to drill two tunnels and a number of ventilation/access shafts through the local chalk; we are concerned that this will damage the aquifer through pollution or by blocking the migration route of the water that feeds our rivers. This could result in the loss of these rare, iconic rivers and the habitat and wildlife they support. The Government identified this risk and in 2016 issued a financial indemnity worth up to £70 million to Affinity Water for the loss of their water source from the aquifer as a result of this work. HS2 have agreed to attend a meeting to give us a presentation on how they intend to mitigate the risks to our rivers.