Locals Lament 'Desecration' as HS2 Transforms Cherished Chilterns Countryside

In the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty, the construction of the HS2 high-speed rail line has dramatically transformed the once-rural landscape as of October 2025. What was once a peaceful valley between Great Missenden and Wendover is now dominated by the concrete and earthworks of the massive infrastructure project.

Longtime residents like Margaret Bunce, a farmer's daughter, are devastated by the changes. The Bunce family has farmed this land for generations, but now their fields are inconveniently divided by the HS2 line. In total, the project has taken 6.5 hectares of the Bunces' property, with 3.5 hectares seized on a "temporary" basis. Other farmers along the route face similar challenges as their land is carved up.

The construction has also taken a heavy toll on the Chilterns' natural heritage. More than a third of Jones' Hill Wood, an ancient woodland, has been destroyed, despite local protests. Grim's Ditch, an Iron Age monument, has also been partially demolished. Residents describe the changes as a "desecration" of the beloved landscape.

The disruption extends beyond the loss of land and landmarks. Locals like Roger Turner report that the groundworks have caused flash flooding on their properties, with dirty runoff pouring into their fields. The constant presence of construction vehicles and machinery has also upended the peaceful routines of those living in the valley.

While HS2 has promised to eventually "green over" much of the railway, the Chilterns will be irrevocably changed by the time the project is completed, which is now expected to be years behind schedule. For now, the residents of this once-tranquil corner of Buckinghamshire must continue to grapple with the daily realities of this massive infrastructure development.