HS2 Oxford Canal near Wormleighton 15th November 2024

[@calamitysteph]

Thanks for this! It looks like they've fixed the breach they made in the canal wall, you can see it at about 2:36, the lefthand piling doesn't reach to the temporary haul road bridge, that was where the water was gushing out a week or so ago - and the canal here is at its summit, so it is fed from Boddington reservoir - so if you puncture the side the water just keeps on coming! 🌊

[@41istair]

According to the Canal & River Trust, the canal and towpath (== footpath SM200) are currently closed at this loop around Wormleighton due to the demolition of (farm) Bridge 130, Knotts Bridge between Nov 4 to Dec 20. There is a second closure notice for the HS2 Viaduct construction between Dec 2-13. The small farm bridge shown in this video is Bridge 128, Willisons Bridge, which is also for bridleway SM116. There is an early, non-final, drawing on Gov UK called "C223-CSI-CV-DPP-030-000001_0" that shows the proposed final routing of footpaths and bridleways here. Many do not have closure notices but can no longer exit via Radbourne Farm / Fish Ponds. The bridleway to Marston Doles is still open but the Glebe Farm permissive access route has been fenced off for a while.

[@poppasmurf]

Having watched many of the videos on HS2, one thing that does strike me is that HS2 has built many. many miles of roadway along the length of the line. Are any of these roads to be retained and handed over the local authorities for the use of locals, or are they all to be plough up and discarded?

[@Paul_707]

I think the local councils along the route generally insisted on all construction traffic being kept off local roads, so the vast majority of haul roads will be returned to nature. But there’ll still be many diverted roads, and also maintenance access to many HS2 sites, such as for electrification, and drainage etc.