Safeguard the Countryside
The Colne Valley Park was established in 1965 when the previous generation saw its potential to serve communities of west London and neighbouring counties in providing a valuable escape into the countryside. With each passing year, the Park has to fight harder than ever to preserve its precious and fragile landscape against a wave of threats. These include giant infrastructure projects like the High Speed 2 railway line, and proposals for a new runway and further expansion at Heathrow Airport.
The Colne Valley Park does not automatically oppose all development. While we may support some sustainable projects, it is a hard fact that loss of land, habitats, open space and recreational areas, comes with responsibilities and obligations for developers to mitigate the direct impact their schemes have on landscapes, wildlife and communities. This damage is hard to overcome without their substantial support and willingness to provide at least an equivalent – or preferably better – environment.
Balancing the need for development against the protection of the countryside in the interests of healthy lifestyle, recreation, education, farming and wildlife in today’s modern world is a difficult task. Where these developments do go ahead, it is important to ensure there is effective mitigation to minimise their impact on their surroundings.
See below for position statements on some of the largest developments proposals affecting the Colne Valley Regional Park.
We have created a story board which makes the case for the protection of the Colne Valley Regional Park and why this is so urgent. Scroll down to play.
The Colne Valley Park and High Speed 2 Railway Line (HS2)
Position Statement
The Colne Valley Regional Park is publicly and determinedly opposed to the HS2 project, which will have a direct negative impact on a precious and already vulnerable landscape. Read More.
The Colne Valley Park and the Heathrow Expansion
Position Statement
We remain publicly and determinedly opposed to the plans to expand Heathrow Airport, which will cut the Park in two, changing it for ever. 1200 acres of Green Belt will be lost and many more hundreds of acres will be built over by displaced existing businesses, and for new facilities to serve a bigger Heathrow. What’s more, five rivers will be put into 2km-long tunnels or diverted, cutting connections for wildlife between the internationally-rare chalk streams of the Chilterns and the Thames. Read our full Heathrow position statement here.
Rail Access to Heathrow.
Position Statement
There are two proposed new rail links to Heathrow Airport: Western Rail Link to Heathrow which is proposed to run from Slough. Southern Rail Link to Heathrow which has several proposed routes some of which impact upon Staines Moor. Read More.
