Mum and son team to walk HS2 route in bid to derail line - The Rugby Observer

Mum and son team to walk HS2 route in bid to derail line

Rugby Editorial 13th Apr, 2019   0

A MUM and son are set to walk the route of HS2 in a last ditch bid to derail the controversial line.

Gerry Bishop and son Matt will be protesting against the high speed line by walking 100 miles from Cubbington to London, starting on Monday April 22.

Matt – who owns Leam Boat Centre – says after years campaigning against HS2, he hopes the walk will draw even more awareness about the damage it is set to do to the countryside.

He will be joined on the walk by his 72-year-old mum, who last year underwent an operation for a broken ankle and had metal plates fitted in her foot.




Dad-of-three Matt, who lives in Cubbington, said: “We want government to scrap HS2. I have lived here all my life and we already have rail lines for five miles in either direction and we are bang in the middle.

“It’s absolutely stupid and not fair on the people who live here. The proposed track cuts through the heart of the local countryside and areas of woodland that have been a haven of peace for town dwellers since my childhood.”


And he is calling on others to join them on the walk.

The 51-year-old added: “People have forgotten that they do have power and can make change happen. We have to walk together.

“We will start from Cubbington where our local woodland is being destroyed, and walk towards London hopefully gathering support along the way. Please join us for a few hours, days or even the week.”

The line linking London and Birmingham will stretch for 190km – of which 54km will cut through the heart of Warwickshire, also resulting in the loss of ancient woodland in Cubbington, including its prize-winning pear tree.

Work to offset the line includes the creation of wildlife habitats, including six ponds close to Kenilworth Golf Club, and the planting of more than 6,000 trees and shrubs.

Search ‘Walk the Line – Stop HS2’ on Facebook to find out more.

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