Video Speaker 14th September 2021 - Keith Hoffmeister, Engineering aspects of HS2

The topic? HS2, the subject of a talk given to club on September 24 by photographer and member of the Chiltern Society Keith Hoffmeister. It was his second address to club, the subject of the first being his and the society’s opposition to the project linking London to Birmingham, and then onwards to the east and west of the northern parts of England.

Earlier opposition came to nought and a great deal of work had subsequently been done in the last 12 months, he said. 

A fascinating talk was illustrated by numerous photographs of the work being done and illustrations of the work planned and the huge impact it will have on the countryside through which it will pass.

Phase One is planned to take the project to the midlands between 2028 – 31, followed by the second phase from 2035-40, Mr Hoffmeister said. Before this, work will have completed on three tunnels between London and Wendover and – illustrated by a fine piece of artwork – a two-mile long viaduct in the Colne Valley, complete with 57 spans.

Plans to expand Euston Station with an additional 10 or 11 platforms would eventually cater for up to 18 trains an hour. Before that a station will be built at Old Oak Common, with a roof size equivalent to three soccer pitches with six HS2 platforms.

Tunnelling started in May and there will be several ventilation shafts, including one in Great Missenden close to the former Annie Bailey’s pub and restaurant. Work will have an effect on places such as the Chalfonts, Amersham and the Missendens.

Much more detail was given to club before President Andy Garnett described the presentation as “gob-smacking” and Speaker Secretary Ron Gordon described it as “an incredible presentation”.

More photographs of the various construction sites and equipment in use are in the Chiltern society photo library at  https://chilternsociety.org.uk/hs2-photo-diary/