Many constituents have contacted me over the years with their strong objections to the decision to go ahead with HS2.  I have made my own concerns about the project very clear since I first heard about the plan in 2009.  Ranging from value for money to loss of valuable habitat, to the huge number of families whose own homes have been forfeit, I have sought to represent all views and to make sure that proper compensation and mitigation are in place.  

During the Coronavirus outbreak, I have been in touch with HS2 to ensure that their staff are abiding by the lockdown rules, and I hope that any residents who see HS2 workforce in their area will report it to me if they have any ongoing concerns.  

In the meantime, I thought people might be interested to see the community contribution that is being made by HS2.  Not that it compensates in any way for the loss felt by many, but it is good to see some positives for the community.

The HS2 Community and Business Fund supports projects along the Phase One line of the route.

In South Northamptonshire, seven projects have received funding.

Boddington Sports & Recreation - Centre Community Playground: £75,000

The project will provide a new community playground on Charles Cowper Field in Upper Boddington. The playground will replace old play equipment and will be accessible to wheelchair users. The equipment will include a zip wire, wheelchair accessible roundabout, swings, climbing equipment, a tree house, a trampoline, a wide slide and picnic tables.

Chipping Warden Recreation Ground: £75,000 

The recreation ground will have a full range of multi-use play equipment and outdoor gym equipment which will provide a safe and accessible activity area for the whole community. The area has been designed to be all age accessible and will be in-keeping with the heritage of the village and the local conservation area. 

Croughton Play Park Project: £38,881

The new play area will be specifically geared to older children and will feature a play unit comprising 3 tall turrets connected by bridges and various climbing apparatus and a large curly slide. The space will also feature a zip-wire, swings, picnic tables and benches. The provision of a new play park for older children will complete their plan to revitalise the whole village hall area and create an exciting sporting and activity hub for all ages. 

Evenley: £20,592 

The funding includes:

• Village hall improvement: installing a new boiler and double oven, replacing a leaking skylight and re-decorating the kitchen and cloakrooms. 

• Village sign: erecting a heritage village sign

• Goals: purchasing a pair of steel goals

• Footpath gates: replace two of the less accessible stiles with kissing gates and improve signage. 

• Replacing the cricket roller 

Eydon Village Hall Refurbishment: £70,560 

This funding will refurbish the village hall and will include replacing damaged flooring and upgrading the electrics, lighting and security systems. The kitchen and toilet facilities will be refurbished and the doors will be updated to make the hall more secure. 

Helmdon Acorns Pre-School: £5,442 

The pre-school has been awarded funding to improve the surface of the children’s outdoor play area by installing 78sq meters of wet pour surface. 

Thorpe Mandeville Village Hall Trust - Building Renovation: £31,000

The funding will develop and repair the building to ensure it is fit for purpose, including retiling and insulating the roof, resurfacing the path and yard and improvements to the heating.

For further information on the projects and the funding visit the HS2 website.