“The real-life version of Watership Down,” readers say of the “destroy” of the village near Coventry

Angry readers say a gorgeous village near Coventry has been hit by the ‘devastation’ caused by HS2. They shared the grief of what was claimed to be “watching a real-life version of Watership Down” in Berkswell.

Our BirminghamLive colleague Emily Chaplin visited the village for a country walk and a visit to a local pub, but said she left feeling sorry for the locals because of the impact of the HS2 plan for a super-fast rail link between London and Birmingham.

This, she says, has come at a cost to rural villages around the Solihull area, with green space being lost to high-speed rail works. It was a sentiment echoed by those who live or have lived in the area.

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Readers took to the CoventryLive Facebook page to share their concerns about Carley Rachel’s post: “It’s heartbreaking what’s happening to one of my favorite local places. Seeing the destruction of the landscape and ecosystems is like seeing a real-life version of the watership go down. .”

Emily Discombobulated Jackson Drive spoke about the loss of wildlife in the area, adding: “I drive through it every day and also Burton Green and it’s heartbreaking how much destruction there is to a white elephant. Berkswell has lost its quiet charm, though to be fair. and the pub since the management changed.

“So many old oaks, hedgerows and woods are gone. I used to hear owls morning and night, all gone.”

Joy Paterson added: “I grew up in Berkswell, I now live in Devon. Last time I visited Berkswell, last year, it was so upsetting. The immediate destruction of this beautiful village is beyond anything I have ever imagined.

“I was sitting in Berkswell churchyard which was always so quiet but all I could hear was the sound of the huge earth moving machines for HS2. Like a giant evil man-made monster approaching. So, so upsetting.”

The HS2 line is scheduled to pass through Berkswell as well as Balsall Common, Berkswell, Hampton in Arden, Bickenhill and Chelmsley Wood in Solihull. Solihull is set to host the new HS2 interchange

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