HS2 Construction Update at Twyford - Intimidating run in with HS2 Security

[@peterlee2622]

I had a similar encounter with HS2 security a few weeks ago. I stopped my car on Welsh Road near the Longhole Viaduct site over the Grand Union Canal just north of the Long Itchington tunnels. HS2 are well on the way to building a short tunnel which will take Welsh Road under the new railway and I wanted to see how far they'd got - and take a picture as a record. I duly took my picture from the side of the public road. An HS2 security guy shouted "What are you doing?", so I walked up to his guard house and eventually he came out to talk to me. He said "You cannot photograph here." I told him I was taking pictures from public land and that is quite lawful. (After all, anyone passing by can plainly see the new structure that I had photographed.) Nothing much more was said, but, as you say, they try to intimidate you - I suspect they are not particularly well trained individuals and fancy a bit of power tripping when they think they can. At other times when I have been walking near the canal, I have spoken to other individuals - including workers - and they have been civil and informative. I think it's just particular security personnel that have a problem. Keep up the drone flights - I find them interesting from an engineering point of view.

[@KarlVaughan]

I've seen a few of your videos and I just thought I would give a little bit of friendly advice. I also fly over HS2 sites in the Aylesbury area but at a much higher altitude so as not to be too close to their sites. You mentioned you use Drone Assist but I've seen you flying very close over Wendover Dean and Small Dean viaducts which are now within a NOTAM zone. The last time I flew over there I got a message from a professional aerial surveyor who was very concerned that I may get in the way of his operations. I believe it was him who has the NOTAM in place now. I think you should be more careful and considerate to other potential drone pilots, like those employed by HS2 and as someone else said here, don't be so surprised if security come and check on you. That should not be a problem. I know I wouldn't have a problem with it and would happily be upfront about what I was doing. That has never happened though as I'm never that close to their sites. The more accommodating we all are the better it will be for all of us.

[@natalie-annewilliams6274]

Great Footage Mate

[@christopherwadden-holmes2073]

Hi Wandering Northerner. Your videos are great. Can I make a suggestion that might help? Before you start taking photos, go up to the security site, strike up some conversations, get to know them, show that you are pro HS2 and that might help.

[@garthcox4307]

They may well have had a problem with thefts and a drone is the ideal way to case the joint. The drone did go onto their property, it wasn't filming from outside the boundary.

[@flyDJIuk]

HS2 staff have been told NOT to engage with the public and not to argue with them as they can face immediate dismissal. You are allowed to film from a public space and you did the right thing checking for flight restrictions and flying closer to the site for VLOS. I had a run in with their security when I visited the Green Tunnels - I showed their faces on the video but when they spotted the GoPro their attitude changed for the better.

[@SeanDavies-u5t]

Is it because they are so miffed with all the negative publicity from Stop HS2 brigade and the like? For what it’s worth I enjoy your videos, pls keep them coming , I appreciate your efforts and the updates 👍

[@robertelkins5928]

To be fair, it's a bit strange for you to get so defensive and uptight about being filmed when you've just turned up at a site holding probably millions of pounds of equipment when the workforce is not present and flown a drone over it without notifying anyone about what you're doing. Of course, you're under no obligation to do so, but it would be common courtesy. Hell, you may even strike up a bit of rapport with them. But no, instead you decided to act like a petulant child. I mean, you'd have to be a little wet behind the ears not to acknowledge that your behaviour could be interpreted as suspicious... by those people who are literally paid to look for suspicious behaviour. They are merely reacting to potential security breaches and noting down/recording any relevant information. No different from CCTV cameras in town centres. You state that you are operating within the law as it is a public space and you are free to record, well that freedom also applies to the security guards and their body cams, so I'm not sure why you were so upset by being filmed, or bizarrely that you think you have the right to request copies of their footage. Frankly, you don't. And then when they refuse to talk to you, which they have absolutely no obligation to do, you decide to fly over their site for a second time just to annoy them. Christ, how old are you? Security literally just did their job in this video, they didn't overstep whatsoever. They didn't impede you, question your right to be there, or even ask you to stop flying. But apparently, their mere presence was enough to intimidate you. Really? They didn't even get out of their vehicle, they didn't even talk to you. You on the other hand were circling them, pointing your camera into their vehicle and directly at their faces, your reflection clearly looked like you were ready for a confrontation. Those are not the actions of someone who feels intimidated, those are the actions of someone who is trying to intimidate others. I watch a lot of these HS2 videos from many different channels, and this is the only one I've seen where there has been any kind of negative interaction with any HS2 staff. It looks very much a problem with how you conduct yourself, not how HS2 security do.

[@JT-nr2ss]

How come other youtubers like RailFocus are able to get drone shots with no issue from HS2? Why are you different? It's almost like there's a procedure that can be followed to inform them you'll be filming beforehand! Funny that

[@masekwm]

Having approached HS2 for another video, they refuse consent on health and safety grounds. No idea how others get permission.

[@paulanderson7796]

Too much time on their hands. Not that anything untoward happened to you. Just carry on as you would ordinarily do.

[@pilkipilki4472]

Building fallout shelters for the rich?

[@deloford]

They are security, what do you expect seriously? I know you are doing this for content but come on

[@livingonthetyne]

Terrible video, it has no flow to it and also the incident could have totally been avoided if not just flown over from a mile or so away. These drones can travel far. Security was doing their job. Probably recording you and taking your number plate down so if anything goes missing they have a potential suspect who was scoping the site. They don't know who you are and couldn't care less. Next time don't be an idiot and fly your drone from further away they have a 3/4 mile or more range. 😅

[@natalie-annewilliams6274]

Great Footage Mate