Latest news with #RolandLeon
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Dark curse ravaging ‘UK's best high street' as pregnant mums targeted & criminals stamp sinister QR codes to lamp posts
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) PERCHED on a bench and sprawled on the manicured grass, four men and a women enjoy a loud animated conversation, swearing and oblivious to the young families nearby as they puff on cannabis joints. They're soon joined by a dealer who brazenly rattles through his drug menu: 'I've got C (cocaine), keti-cut (ketamine cut with cocaine), xans (the antidepressant Xanax) gabbies (pregabalin – a prescription drug often used for epilepsy), anything you need,' he says. 15 Junkies brazenly deal and get their fix in the grounds of the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum Credit: Roland Leon 15 A sharp rise in cocaine and drug use is blighting Shrewsbury, which was recently hailed for boasting Britain's best high street Credit: Roland Leon 15 In February this year, four men in their 30s, 40s and 60s were arrested just outside Shrewsbury and released on bail after a huge haul of cocaine worth £80million was recovered Credit: Supplied It's the kind of illegal trade that draws regular users to Pride Hill in Shrewsbury town centre - a sad indication of how a sharp rise in cocaine and drug use is blighting the area boasting 'Britain's best high street' according to The Telegraph. No longer an after-dark secret in sprawling social housing estates, brazenly buying and selling gear in broad daylight just off the main pedestrianised shopping area is a common sight in Shrewsbury. 'It's like a drop-in centre for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do,' says a builder working in the town centre, pointing to the group. 'People know not to go near them because they can be aggressive if they're not asleep. 'Sadly it's a sign of the times. It's school half term and people are going into the castle grounds with their children without realising what's happening.' In nearby Wyle Cop, a charming shopping street lined with 39 listed buildings, retired aerospace worker John Edwards, 70, points out evidence of how dark web drug marketing has evolved to open websites. Silver stickers embossed with QR codes are plastered on public litter bins, bus stops and lampposts in the town - recently named the best place to live in Shropshire and one of the best in the Midlands by The Sunday Times. 'You see these stickers all over the place, advertising drugs with QR codes,' he says. 'A smartphone scan links you to websites selling drugs. 'Every time I see one I scrape them off, but they just seem to reappear.' John, who spruces signs and bus shelters on a voluntary basis and is a regular sight in the town with his cleaning trolley, says drug use there is not easy to stamp out. Horror as delivery driver, 23, is 'ambushed & killed by gang armed with blades and blunt objects' in Shrewsbury 15 Retired aerospace worker John Edwards spruces signs and bus shelters on a voluntary basis Credit: Roland Leon 15 Silver stickers embossed with QR codes for ordering drugs are plastered on public litter bins, bus stops and lampposts in the town Credit: Roland Leon 15 The gang of drug users (bottom left) appear oblivious to families visiting the picturesque tourist spots nearby Credit: Roland Leon 'I would say it's far more prevalent than ever here in Shrewsbury,' he tells The Sun. 'You might see the odd car stopping and people on the street, but they're gone before anyone reports them. 'I know there have been issues with country lines dealers who come out of Wrexham and Merseyside probably knowing they can drum up trade in the shires.' Ron, 64, who runs a key cutting business in the town centre says drug abuse has risen in the town. 'I have a homeless bloke who sells cocaine and other drugs but is harmless. I don't know where he stays but he often pops in for a coffee,' he says. 'Drugs are all over the place, not just in Shrewsbury. If you go up the hill at the side of the castle, you can often see evidence of empty wrappers littered on the ground.' Pregnant women targeted A 60-year-old local midwife, who asks not to be named, says she sees first-hand the heartbreaking evidence of increased cocaine use among young pregnant women when she carries out antenatal screening. 'There is a definite rise in cocaine and ketamine use among youngsters living in social housing,' she says. 'I see it as part of my job. I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something. 'These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies, like premature birth, growth defects and eye development.' I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something. These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies Local midwife Trainee chef Grant Lewis, 18, says the homeless population in particular are being targeted by drug gangs. 'I know the police try to crack down on county line dealing across Shrewsbury and Shropshire, but the organised crime gangs will always go where there's money to be made and people to be exploited,' he says. 'You can see people blatantly taking drugs in the daytime in town and you can smell the weed in the air.' His girlfriend, student Abi-Lou Foster, 19, says even though she and Grant don't drink and have never taken drugs, she knows friends who take cocaine without thinking of the long-term addictive consequences. 'To be honest, I don't even think they do it out of boredom,' she says. 'It's more that they think it's cool to do it, even though they get out of control and have to find the money to pay for it. 'I live in Market Drayton and sadly, the use of cocaine seems a lot more common there.' 15 Trainee chef Grant Lewis and his girlfriend Abi-Lou Foster says the homeless population in particular are being targeted by drug gangs Credit: Roland Leon 15 Wyle Cop is a charming shopping street lined with 39 listed buildings and independent shops Credit: Roland Leon 15 Beer and cider cans dumped in the town centre Credit: Roland Leon 15 Retired factory worker Martin Kerr says dealers congregate on the nearby bridge in the Brunel Drive area of Shrewsbury Credit: Roland Leon Stench of weed Retired manufacturing worker Martin Kerr, 66, says dealers often turned up in cars in the Brunel Drive area of Shrewsbury or do deals on the nearby bridge. 'I think things are the same in any UK town now because there's so much poverty and homelessness,' he says. 'It's a shame because Shrewsbury is a lovely place to live, but I suppose you're always going to get some areas where there's a demand for drugs.' Taxi driver Paul Ryder, 64, is used to ferrying passengers who sometimes ask him to wait around the corner from where they are meeting dealers. I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window Taxi driver Paul Ryder 'Cocaine, ketamine and cannabis use is common nowadays,' he says. 'I see dealers pull up in big expensive cars when I drop off passengers. I mind my own business because I don't want any trouble, but I refuse to take anyone who looks like they're on something. 'I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window. 'Towns like Shrewsbury are fair game for county line suppliers. It's a different world now.' Depending on the dealer, cocaine can be picked up for around £40 a half gram, £80 a gram or three half gram bags for £100. Cannabis is around £10 a gram. £80million haul 15 Four men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences in Merrington, north of Shrewsbury, after a haul of cocaine worth £80m was recovered in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex in December 2024 Credit: Supplied 15 (L-R) Jamie Lloyd, Nigel Smith and Callum Grimster were found with several hundred pounds worth of Class A drugs when police raided two flats in Shrewsbury in February 2017. Lloyd was jailed and Grimster and Smith were given suspended sentences Credit: Supplied In February this year, four men in their 30s, 40s and 60s were arrested and released on bail after a huge haul of cocaine worth £80million was recovered as part of a National Crime Agency investigation. The suspects were arrested in the sleepy Shropshire village of Merrington after Border Force searched a shipping container and found 847.5 kilos of the Class A drug on December 23 at Tilbury Docks in Essex. A woman in her 40s was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering and released under investigation. Last October two men were jailed for a total of nine years for their part in a county lines drugs operation in Shrewsbury. Connor Sholliker, 24, of Wilson Road in Prescot, Merseyside was sentenced to six years for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs - crack cocaine and heroin. And Kaine Currens, 23, of Manor Road in Hadley, Telford was handed a three-year sentence for being concerned in the supply of the same substances. The pair were sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court following a proactive investigation by the local organised crime team. It was quickly established that both men were part of the 'Kev' county line, which operated from Merseyside and was responsible for bringing large quantities of class A drugs into Shrewsbury. Evidence showed both men had links to phone numbers identified as drug lines used to run the dealing network. As part of their operation they targeted vulnerable young people and used their homes as a base for their drug dealing - a practice known as 'cuckooing'. Following their conviction, Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said drugs were a blight on the community and ruined lives. 'We're constantly working to rid our streets of drugs and I'm glad that we've been able to dismantle this line and that Sholliker and Currens will now face time behind bars for their part in it. We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously West Mercia Police spokesperson 'The local community are key in helping us to tackle drug dealing and I'd always urge anyone with any information or concerns about drug dealing or drug use in their area to let us know.' Last June two men were handed confiscation orders at Shrewsbury Crown Court after being jailed in September 2023 for multiple drugs offences. Drugs with an estimated street value of between £100k -£120k and £72,916 cash were seized in April 2023 after police carried out warrants at two properties in Shrewsbury. According to the latest data, the crime rate in the Marshalls Court area of Shrewsbury is 2.76 times higher than the town average, with drug and gun-related crimes 3.66 times higher. In Barleyfield, the crime rate is 2.26 times higher than the Shrewsbury average with drug and gun-related crimes 1.49 times higher. A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: 'The use of drugs is unfortunately an issue in all towns and cities across the UK. 'We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously. 'Drug dealers prey on some of the most vulnerable people in society and their presence in turn causes more crime such as shoplifting, burglary and anti-social behaviour. 'Our officers continue to work hard to prevent and tackle drug use by engaging with our local communities, as well as working close with partners including the NHS, housing providers and local drug support charities. 'Where appropriate, we can and do take robust action against those who supply drugs.' Cllr Alex Wagner, Shropshire Council deputy leader said: "Shrewsbury is a fantastic and historic town but sadly has the same issues as so many others – in the town centre, the impact of drug use can sometimes be quite visible. 'Public Health in Shropshire has a Partnership approach in place as part of the Safeguarding Community Partnership. There is a Tackling Drugs and Alcohol Group which is attended by a number of organisations, such as Public Health, Police, Homelessness and Drug and Alcohol services. 'The group looks to address how the footprint meets the National Strategy - From Harm to Hope. "In Shropshire there is a very clear harm reduction perspective, with early help and recovery services supporting those most vulnerable at its centre. "If you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, the Shropshire Council website details what support is available.' 15 Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said drugs were a blight on the community and ruined lives Credit: Roland Leon 15 Cllr Alex Wagner said: "Shrewsbury is a fantastic and historic town but sadly has the same issues as so many others – in the town centre, the impact of drug use can sometimes be quite visible" Credit: Roland Leon
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Dark curse ravaging ‘UK's best high street' as pregnant mums targeted & criminals stamp sinister QR codes to lamp posts
PERCHED on a bench and sprawled on the manicured grass, four men and a women enjoy a loud animated conversation, swearing and oblivious to the young families nearby as they puff on cannabis joints. They're soon joined by a dealer who brazenly rattles through his drug menu: 'I've got C (cocaine), keti-cut (ketamine cut with cocaine), xans (the antidepressant Xanax) gabbies (pregabalin – a prescription drug often used for epilepsy), anything you need,' he says. Advertisement 15 Junkies brazenly deal and get their fix in the grounds of the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum Credit: Roland Leon 15 A sharp rise in cocaine and drug use is blighting Shrewsbury, which was recently hailed for boasting Britain's best high street Credit: Roland Leon 15 In February this year, four men in their 30s, 40s and 60s were arrested just outside Shrewsbury and released on bail after a huge haul of cocaine worth £80million was recovered Credit: Supplied It's the kind of illegal trade that draws regular users to Pride Hill in Shrewsbury town centre - a sad indication of how a sharp rise in cocaine and drug use is blighting the area boasting 'Britain's best high street' according to No longer an after-dark secret in sprawling social housing estates, brazenly buying and selling gear in broad daylight just off the main pedestrianised shopping area is a common sight in Shrewsbury. 'It's like a drop-in centre for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do,' says a builder working in the town centre, pointing to the group. 'People know not to go near them because they can be aggressive if they're not asleep. Advertisement READ MORE FEATURES 'Sadly it's a sign of the times. It's school half term and people are going into the castle grounds with their children without realising what's happening.' In nearby Wyle Cop, a charming shopping street lined with 39 listed buildings, retired aerospace worker John Edwards, 70, points out evidence of how Silver stickers embossed with QR codes are plastered on public litter bins, bus stops and lampposts in the town - recently named the best place to live in 'You see these stickers all over the place, advertising drugs with QR codes,' he says. 'A smartphone scan links you to websites selling drugs. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Exclusive 'Every time I see one I scrape them off, but they just seem to reappear.' John, who spruces signs and bus shelters on a voluntary basis and is a regular sight in the town with his cleaning trolley, says drug use there is not easy to stamp out. Horror as delivery driver, 23, is 'ambushed & killed by gang armed with blades and blunt objects' in Shrewsbury 15 Retired aerospace worker John Edwards spruces signs and bus shelters on a voluntary basis Credit: Roland Leon 15 Silver stickers embossed with QR codes for ordering drugs are plastered on public litter bins, bus stops and lampposts in the town Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement 15 The gang of drug users (bottom left) appear oblivious to families visiting the picturesque tourist spots nearby Credit: Roland Leon 'I would say it's far more prevalent than ever here in Shrewsbury,' he tells The Sun. 'You might see the odd car stopping and people on the street, but they're gone before anyone reports them. 'I know there have been issues with country lines dealers who come out of Advertisement Ron, 64, who runs a key cutting business in the town centre says drug abuse has risen in the town. 'I have a homeless bloke who sells cocaine and other drugs but is harmless. I don't know where he stays but he often pops in for a coffee,' he says. 'Drugs are all over the place, not just in Shrewsbury. If you go up the hill at the side of the castle, you can often see evidence of empty wrappers littered on the ground.' Pregnant women targeted A 60-year-old local midwife, who asks not to be named, says she sees first-hand the heartbreaking evidence of increased cocaine use among young pregnant women when she carries out antenatal screening. Advertisement 'There is a definite rise in cocaine and ketamine use among youngsters living in social housing,' she says. 'I see it as part of my job. I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something. 'These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies, like premature birth, growth defects and eye development.' I do about two toxicology tests a week and I'm sad to say, there's usually evidence of cocaine or cocaine mixed with something. These young girls don't realise the long-term damage it can do to unborn babies Local midwife Trainee chef Grant Lewis, 18, says the homeless population in particular are being targeted by drug gangs. Advertisement 'I know the police try to crack down on county line dealing across Shrewsbury and Shropshire, but the organised crime gangs will always go where there's money to be made and people to be exploited,' he says. 'You can see people blatantly taking drugs in the daytime in town and you can smell the weed in the air.' His girlfriend, student Abi-Lou Foster, 19, says even though she and Grant don't drink and have never taken drugs, she knows friends who take cocaine without thinking of the long-term addictive consequences. 'To be honest, I don't even think they do it out of boredom,' she says. 'It's more that they think it's cool to do it, even though they get out of control and have to find the money to pay for it. Advertisement 'I live in Market Drayton and sadly, the use of cocaine seems a lot more common there.' 15 Trainee chef Grant Lewis and his girlfriend Abi-Lou Foster says the homeless population in particular are being targeted by drug gangs Credit: Roland Leon 15 Wyle Cop is a charming shopping street lined with 39 listed buildings and independent shops Credit: Roland Leon 15 Beer and cider cans dumped in the town centre Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement 15 Retired factory worker Martin Kerr says dealers congregate on the nearby bridge in the Brunel Drive area of Shrewsbury Credit: Roland Leon Stench of weed Retired manufacturing worker Martin Kerr, 66, says dealers often turned up in cars in the Brunel Drive area of Shrewsbury or do deals on the nearby bridge. 'I think things are the same in any UK town now because there's so much poverty and homelessness,' he says. 'It's a shame because Shrewsbury is a lovely place to live, but I suppose you're always going to get some areas where there's a demand for drugs.' Advertisement Taxi driver Paul Ryder, 64, is used to ferrying passengers who sometimes ask him to wait around the corner from where they are meeting dealers. I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window Taxi driver Paul Ryder 'Cocaine, ketamine and cannabis use is common nowadays,' he says. 'I see dealers pull up in big expensive cars when I drop off passengers. I mind my own business because I don't want any trouble, but I refuse to take anyone who looks like they're on something. 'I keep air freshener in the car because some passengers get in stinking of weed. Sometimes it's so strong it makes my eyes water and I have to open the window. Advertisement 'Towns like Shrewsbury are fair game for county line suppliers. It's a different world now.' Depending on the dealer, cocaine can be picked up for around £40 a half gram, £80 a gram or three half gram bags for £100. Cannabis is around £10 a gram. £80million haul 15 Four men were arrested on suspicion of drug offences in Merrington, north of Shrewsbury, after a haul of cocaine worth £80m was recovered in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex in December 2024 Credit: Supplied 15 (L-R) Jamie Lloyd, Nigel Smith and Callum Grimster were found with several hundred pounds worth of Class A drugs when police raided two flats in Shrewsbury in February 2017. Lloyd was jailed and Grimster and Smith were given suspended sentences Credit: Supplied Advertisement In February this year, four men in their 30s, 40s and 60s were arrested and released on bail after a huge haul of cocaine worth £80million was recovered as part of a National Crime Agency investigation. The suspects were arrested in the sleepy Shropshire village of Merrington after Border Force searched a shipping container and found 847.5 kilos of the Class A drug on December 23 at Tilbury Docks in Essex. A woman in her 40s was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering and released under investigation. Last October two men were jailed for a total of nine years for their part in a county lines drugs operation in Shrewsbury. Advertisement Connor Sholliker, 24, of Wilson Road in Prescot, Merseyside was sentenced to six years for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs - crack cocaine and heroin. And Kaine Currens, 23, of Manor Road in Hadley, Telford was handed a three-year sentence for being concerned in the supply of the same substances. The pair were sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court following a proactive investigation by the local organised crime team. It was quickly established that both men were part of the 'Kev' county line, which operated from Merseyside and was responsible for bringing large quantities of class A drugs into Shrewsbury. Advertisement Evidence showed both men had links to phone numbers identified as drug lines used to run the dealing network. As part of their operation they targeted vulnerable young people and used their homes as a base for their drug dealing - a practice known as 'cuckooing'. Following their conviction, Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said drugs were a blight on the community and ruined lives. 'We're constantly working to rid our streets of drugs and I'm glad that we've been able to dismantle this line and that Sholliker and Currens will now face time behind bars for their part in it. Advertisement We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously West Mercia Police spokesperson 'The local community are key in helping us to tackle drug dealing and I'd always urge anyone with any information or concerns about drug dealing or drug use in their area to let us know.' Last June two men were handed confiscation orders at Shrewsbury Crown Court after being jailed in September 2023 for multiple drugs offences. Drugs with an estimated street value of between £100k -£120k and £72,916 cash were seized in April 2023 after police carried out warrants at two properties in Shrewsbury. According to the latest data, the crime rate in the Marshalls Court area of Shrewsbury is 2.76 times higher than the town average, with drug and gun-related crimes 3.66 times higher. Advertisement In Barleyfield, the crime rate is 2.26 times higher than the Shrewsbury average with drug and gun-related crimes 1.49 times higher. A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: 'The use of drugs is unfortunately an issue in all towns and cities across the UK. 'We won't underestimate the impact that drug use has on the communities we protect and serve and it's something we take incredibly seriously. 'Drug dealers prey on some of the most vulnerable people in society and their presence in turn causes more crime such as shoplifting, burglary and anti-social behaviour. Advertisement 'Our officers continue to work hard to prevent and tackle drug use by engaging with our local communities, as well as working close with partners including the NHS, housing providers and local drug support charities. 'Where appropriate, we can and do take robust action against those who supply drugs.' Cllr Alex Wagner, Shropshire Council deputy leader said: "Shrewsbury is a fantastic and historic town but sadly has the same issues as so many others – in the town centre, the impact of drug use can sometimes be quite visible. 'Public Health in Shropshire has a Partnership approach in place as part of the Safeguarding Community Partnership. There is a Tackling Drugs and Alcohol Group which is attended by a number of organisations, such as Public Health, Police, Homelessness and Drug and Alcohol services. Advertisement 'The group looks to address how the footprint meets the National Strategy - From Harm to Hope. "In Shropshire there is a very clear harm reduction perspective, with early help and recovery services supporting those most vulnerable at its centre. "If you or someone you know may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, the Shropshire Council website details what support is available.' 15 Detective Constable Andrea Marston, of the local organised crime team in Shropshire, said drugs were a blight on the community and ruined lives Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement 15 Cllr Alex Wagner said: "Shrewsbury is a fantastic and historic town but sadly has the same issues as so many others – in the town centre, the impact of drug use can sometimes be quite visible" Credit: Roland Leon 15 The pretty river in Shrewsbury - recently named the best place to live in Shropshire and one of the best in the Midlands by The Sunday Times Credit: Roland Leon
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Our village is split by monstrous HS2 tunnel – we've had years of constant closures… we can't wait to sell our homes
Residents have to keep cleaning construction dust off their cars TRAIN TORMENT Our village is split by monstrous HS2 tunnel – we've had years of constant closures… we can't wait to sell our homes VILLAGERS say their tranquil lives have turned into a nightmare after years of disruption due to HS2 cutting the area in half. Burton Green in Warwickshire used to be one of the nicest rural places to live - but the monstrous 700 metre tunnel has left residents desperate to sell. Advertisement 12 Burton Green in Warwickshire has been cut in half by HS2 Credit: SWNS 12 Dr Mark Wareing, 67, who lives less than 100 metres from the tunnel Credit: Roland Leon 12 Another person renting from HS2 is care worker Craig Krom and his partner Samantha Credit: Roland Leon The construction has seen homes demolished, ancient woodland destroyed and residents moved out. The locals still there say they have to wash their cars every week because they're covered in dust, and their houses randomly start shaking from the ongoing works. Now, the "gift that keeps on giving" is set to disrupt the village's VE Day celebrations with yet another road closure planned for next week. Sue Spence, 75, a gemologist who has lived in the village for over 40 years, said: "I have lost count of the number of times the road has been closed. Advertisement "It's always the last one, until the next one, but the timing of this one is unfortunate. "It will mean that people living on the wrong side of the tunnel will have a four-mile round trip to a village hall which is less than half-a-mile away. "We are planning a big VE Day celebration to mark the 80 years, and the lighting of a beacon. It will make life difficult for our older residents." Most disrupted place on the route HS2 has been dominating life in Burton Green since it was announced back in 2010 with the village said to be the most disrupted place on the route. Advertisement Sue added: "I remember going to a meeting about it 13 years ago. Everyone was opposed and yet every MP of every shade was in favour. "They thought it was such a sexy project but the disruption has been mammoth and for what? "My husband and I use the trains. We know we need more capacity but we don't need to get places quicker. Moment neighbour 'STEALS' 1.9m of next door's garden & tears down their shed in bitter land row while they're on holiday "The destruction of the countryside has been appalling. I saw their machines at work and they were literally lifting out these old oak trees, roots and all. Advertisement "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The lanes are now bleak. When you think of the expense and the waste, you could weep. Think of all the things we could have had with that money – things we actually need like hospitals and prisons." Sue is taking part in a weekly indoor bowls group at the village hall, which was built by HS2. "We had a village hall built by us," she said, "but that had to go and HS2 built this one to replace it. It's well used, they said yes to everything we wanted and the car park is better." Among her playing companions is Frank Spencer, 96, a World War II veteran, whose first posting was to Palestine at the end of the war. Advertisement "I did 30 years of soldiering with the Paras all over the world," he said. "I'll be at the VE celebrations of course whether the road is closed or not." 12 Burton Green which is completely divided by a HS2 construction site Credit: SWNS 12 Anita Smith, 91, and Frank Spencer, 96 Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement 12 HS2 is turning life into a 'daily nightmare' for villagers Credit: Roland Leon As for his verdict on HS2: "What a bloody waste of money," he said. His playing companion Anita Smith, 91, echoed his thoughts. "I've been in the village all my life and this disruption has been terrible," she said. "It's an absolute waste of money." Advertisement The tunnel works are now such a feature of life that people struggle to remember when it all started and no-one knows when it's going to finish. I've been in the village all my life and this disruption has been terrible. It's an absolute waste of money. Frank Spencer They remember the public meetings about it over a decade ago when MPs told them what a great idea it was. They are sure the works started before Covid, but as for when trains will race through the tunnel, estimates vary from two to 10 years. Scientist Andrew Gibbs, whose beautiful, detached house is within 100 metres of the works, said: "'Back at the very start when it was announced, I could see benefits in terms of connectivity. Advertisement "Back then, they were talking about it going through Heathrow and connecting up Manchester and Leeds and the northern powerhouse. 12 Pip, 35, who rents her home from HS2, has to clean the dust off her car regularly Credit: Roland Leon 12 Sue Spence, 75, a gemologist who has lived in the village for over 40 years Credit: Roland Leon 12 Scientist Andrew Gibbs lives within 100 metres of the works Credit: Roland Leon Advertisement "As someone who travels abroad for work, I could see some sense in that because instead of flying from Birmingham to Frankfurt and then on, I could take the train to Heathrow. "But that was dropped because it added five minutes to the journey time to London and now all the other useful bits have been binned too. "It's bad enough having a decade or more of disruption but the end result is now so underwhelming." Like other residents, Andrew regularly finds himself blocked in by traffic waiting at the traffic lights for the temporary bridge over the tunnel works. Advertisement And now his front garden has been turned into a bog due to a leak from a Severn Trent pipe. "It's clay soil so in dry weather it's rock hard and if we had guests I could park my car on it," he said. "Now it's under water all the time. "We have had so many road closures and while HS2 will inform us, they always play it down, they say it'll be the last one, they say it won't last too long and then the workers tell us they were either ignorant or lying. "We hope we are over the worst now in terms of noise and there is talk of the road being back to normal by the end of 2026." Advertisement The folly of the HS2 project is well illustrated by civil servant Dr Mark Wareing, 67, who lives less than 100 metres from the tunnel and works in Piccadilly, London. "If I time everything right, I can leave the office in Piccadilly and be back home within 90 minutes," he said. "I get an underground to Euston, an hour's train to Coventry and then a 10 minute train to Tile Hill station down the road. HS2 can't improve that. "When you also factor in that working habits have changed and there is so much more working from home, God knows why they are still ploughing money into it." Advertisement Homes up for sale His four-bedroom house with woodland to the rear is currently on the market for £700,000 and he is hoping that it will sell despite the current disruption. "We have had plenty of interest," he said. "When the works are complete it will be a great place to live," he said. "We have got through the worst of it. The power-driving was terrible and the roads needed repairing because of the amount of extra lorries." He is given extra hope by a new-build development less than half-a-mile away which £600,000 homes have been snapped up off the plans. Advertisement Two doors away Jean Priest, 57, is also hoping to sell. "We've had it on the market since September with no joy at all," she said. "The problem we have at the moment is getting back into our drive with all the cars waiting at the temporary lights." What is HS2? HS2, which stands for High Speed 2, is a project that aims to create a high-speed rail network between London and major cities in the Midlands and Northern England. It is the biggest rail investment ever made in the North of England and is Europe's largest infrastructure project. New trains will run on HS2 lines with a top speed of 225 miles per hour - the aim is to cut journey times and make it easier to travel across England. Plans were passed by Parliament in February 2017, and work on the first phase, from London to Birmingham, was due to begin in late 2019 but was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. What's the route? HS2 was originally meant to connect London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Work is already underway on the first phase, linking London and the West Midlands. However, the Leeds leg was scrapped by the government in 2021 and construction work at Euston station has been on hold for two years. The government also confirmed in March 2023 that construction between Birmingham and Crewe would be delayed by two years to cut costs. Speculation has grown that the already-delayed Birmingham to Manchester leg could also be cancelled or delayed further. How much is HS2 expected to cost? On September 26, 2023, rail chiefs warned that the taxpayer bill for HS2 could hit an eye-watering £180bn. Lord Berkley, a former deputy chair of the government's HS2 review told TalkTV: "We reckon it costs about £180bn now which is stupid.'' One option for those who live close enough to the works is to sell to HS2. They pay the market rate but sellers hope to complete on the open market and then pocket an extra 10 per cent of the sale price from HS2 by way of compensation. Many home owners have sold already. Pip, 35, who rents her home from HS2, said: "I find it fascinating in some ways because it's not every day you get a big government project outside your house. My partner is always out looking at it." Advertisement But she admitted: "You can be sitting watching television and then all of a sudden the house will start to shake. "I have heard it will be going on for another 10 years. Sometimes it gets a bit much when you want to sit out in the garden at the weekend or have a nice lunch outside – it's drill, drill, bang. "We have to wash the cars every week because they are constantly covered by brown dust." Another person renting from HS2 is car worker Craig Krom and his partner Samantha. Advertisement He said: "I sympathise with those who have been here a long time because this is a great community. "It's the sort of place where people pick up litter to keep it looking good. "The biggest impact is the road works. We get temporary roadworks to repair the roads right next to the temporary lights on the bridge and cars back right up." Another resident, lawyer Katrina Stonard added: "We knew what we were getting into when we moved here and when they were doing the digging it was very noisy. Advertisement "Once it is done, it will be fine. We have seen the drawings and when it is complete it will look lovely. I think it will be another four years." 12 The village is completely divided by a HS2 construction site Credit: SWNS 12 The construction site which has left the community in tatters Credit: Roland Leon 12 The construction works are still ongoing and makes houses shake Credit: Roland Leon
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Our village is split by monstrous HS2 tunnel – we've had years of constant closures… we can't wait to sell our homes
VILLAGERS say their tranquil lives have turned into a nightmare after years of disruption due to HS2 cutting the area in half. 12 Burton Green in Warwickshire has been cut in half by HS2 Credit: SWNS 12 Dr Mark Wareing, 67, who lives less than 100 metres from the tunnel Credit: Roland Leon 12 Another person renting from HS2 is care worker Craig Krom and his partner Samantha Credit: Roland Leon The construction has seen homes demolished, ancient woodland destroyed and residents moved out. The locals still there say they have to wash their cars every week because they're covered in dust, and their houses randomly start shaking from the ongoing works. Now, the "gift that keeps on giving" is set to disrupt the village's VE Day celebrations with yet another road closure planned for next week. Sue Spence, 75, a gemologist who has lived in the village for over 40 years, said: "I have lost count of the number of times the road has been closed. "It's always the last one, until the next one, but the timing of this one is unfortunate. "It will mean that people living on the wrong side of the tunnel will have a four-mile round trip to a village hall which is less than half-a-mile away. "We are planning a big VE Day celebration to mark the 80 years, and the lighting of a beacon. It will make life difficult for our older residents." Most disrupted place on the route HS2 has been dominating life in Burton Green since it was announced back in 2010 with the village said to be the most disrupted place on the route. Most read in The Sun Sue added: "I remember going to a meeting about it 13 years ago. Everyone was opposed and yet every MP of every shade was in favour. "They thought it was such a sexy project but the disruption has been mammoth and for what? "My husband and I use the trains. We know we need more capacity but we don't need to get places quicker. Moment neighbour 'STEALS' 1.9m of next door's garden & tears down their shed in bitter land row while they're on holiday "The destruction of the countryside has been appalling. I saw their machines at work and they were literally lifting out these old oak trees, roots and all. "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The lanes are now bleak. When you think of the expense and the waste, you could weep. Think of all the things we could have had with that money – things we actually need like hospitals and prisons." Sue is taking part in a weekly indoor bowls group at the village hall, which was built by HS2. "We had a village hall built by us," she said, "but that had to go and HS2 built this one to replace it. It's well used, they said yes to everything we wanted and the car park is better." Among her playing companions is Frank Spencer, 96, a World War II veteran, whose first posting was to Palestine at the end of the war. "I did 30 years of soldiering with the Paras all over the world," he said. "I'll be at the VE celebrations of course whether the road is closed or not." 12 Burton Green which is completely divided by a HS2 construction site Credit: SWNS 12 Anita Smith, 91, and Frank Spencer, 96 Credit: Roland Leon 12 HS2 is turning life into a 'daily nightmare' for villagers Credit: Roland Leon As for his verdict on HS2: "What a bloody waste of money," he said. His playing companion Anita Smith, 91, echoed his thoughts. "I've been in the village all my life and this disruption has been terrible," she said. "It's an absolute waste of money." The tunnel works are now such a feature of life that people struggle to remember when it all started and no-one knows when it's going to finish. I've been in the village all my life and this disruption has been terrible. It's an absolute waste of money. Frank Spencer village resident They remember the public meetings about it over a decade ago when MPs told them what a great idea it was. They are sure the works started before Covid, but as for when trains will race through the tunnel, estimates vary from two to 10 years. Scientist Andrew Gibbs, whose beautiful, detached house is within 100 metres of the works, said: "'Back at the very start when it was announced, I could see benefits in terms of connectivity. "Back then, they were talking about it going through Heathrow and connecting up Manchester and Leeds and the northern powerhouse. 12 Pip, 35, who rents her home from HS2, has to clean the dust off her car regularly Credit: Roland Leon 12 Sue Spence, 75, a gemologist who has lived in the village for over 40 years Credit: Roland Leon 12 Scientist Andrew Gibbs lives within 100 metres of the works Credit: Roland Leon "As someone who travels abroad for work, I could see some sense in that because instead of flying from Birmingham to Frankfurt and then on, I could take the train to Heathrow. "But that was dropped because it added five minutes to the journey time to London and now all the other useful bits have been binned too. "It's bad enough having a decade or more of disruption but the end result is now so underwhelming." Like other residents, Andrew regularly finds himself blocked in by traffic waiting at the traffic lights for the temporary bridge over the tunnel works. And now his front garden has been turned into a bog due to a leak from a Severn Trent pipe. "It's clay soil so in dry weather it's rock hard and if we had guests I could park my car on it," he said. "Now it's under water all the time. "We have had so many road closures and while HS2 will inform us, they always play it down, they say it'll be the last one, they say it won't last too long and then the workers tell us they were either ignorant or lying. "We hope we are over the worst now in terms of noise and there is talk of the road being back to normal by the end of 2026." The folly of the HS2 project is well illustrated by civil servant Dr Mark Wareing, 67, who lives less than 100 metres from the tunnel and works in Piccadilly, London. "If I time everything right, I can leave the office in Piccadilly and be back home within 90 minutes," he said. "I get an underground to Euston, an hour's train to Coventry and then a 10 minute train to Tile Hill station down the road. HS2 can't improve that. "When you also factor in that working habits have changed and there is so much more working from home, God knows why they are still ploughing money into it." Homes up for sale His four-bedroom house with woodland to the rear is currently on the market for £700,000 and he is hoping that it will sell despite the current disruption. "We have had plenty of interest," he said. "When the works are complete it will be a great place to live," he said. "We have got through the worst of it. The power-driving was terrible and the roads needed repairing because of the amount of extra lorries." He is given extra hope by a new-build development less than half-a-mile away which £600,000 homes have been snapped up off the plans. Two doors away Jean Priest, 57, is also hoping to sell. "We've had it on the market since September with no joy at all," she said. "The problem we have at the moment is getting back into our drive with all the cars waiting at the temporary lights." What is HS2? HS2, which stands for High Speed 2, is a project that aims to create a high-speed rail network between London and major cities in It is the biggest rail investment ever made in the North of England and is Europe's largest infrastructure project. New trains will run on HS2 lines with a top speed of 225 miles per hour - the aim is to cut journey times and make it easier to travel across England. Plans were passed by What's the route? HS2 was originally meant to connect London with Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Work is already underway on the first phase, linking London and the West Midlands. However, the Leeds leg was scrapped by the government in 2021 and construction work at Euston station has been on hold for two years. The government also confirmed in March 2023 that construction between Birmingham and Crewe would be delayed by two years to cut costs. Speculation has grown that the already-delayed Birmingham to Manchester leg could also be cancelled or delayed further. How much is HS2 expected to cost? On September 26, 2023, rail chiefs warned that the taxpayer bill for HS2 could hit an eye-watering £180bn. Lord Berkley, a former deputy chair of the government's HS2 review told TalkTV: "We reckon it costs about £180bn now which is stupid.'' One option for those who live close enough to the works is to sell to HS2. They pay the market rate but sellers hope to complete on the open market and then pocket an extra 10 per cent of the sale price from HS2 by way of compensation. Many home owners have sold already. Pip, 35, who rents her home from HS2, said: "I find it fascinating in some ways because it's not every day you get a big government project outside your house. My partner is always out looking at it." But she admitted: "You can be sitting watching television and then all of a sudden the house will start to shake. "I have heard it will be going on for another 10 years. Sometimes it gets a bit much when you want to sit out in the garden at the weekend or have a nice lunch outside – it's drill, drill, bang. "We have to wash the cars every week because they are constantly covered by brown dust." Another person renting from HS2 is car worker Craig Krom and his partner Samantha. He said: "I sympathise with those who have been here a long time because this is a great community. "It's the sort of place where people pick up litter to keep it looking good. "The biggest impact is the road works. We get temporary roadworks to repair the roads right next to the temporary lights on the bridge and cars back right up." Read more on the Irish Sun Another resident, lawyer Katrina Stonard added: "We knew what we were getting into when we moved here and when they were doing the digging it was very noisy. "Once it is done, it will be fine. We have seen the drawings and when it is complete it will look lovely. I think it will be another four years." 12 The village is completely divided by a HS2 construction site Credit: SWNS 12 The construction site which has left the community in tatters Credit: Roland Leon 12 The construction works are still ongoing and makes houses shake Credit: Roland Leon
