HS2 has made our beautiful village stink like rotten eggs my wife wants to leave'

"From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging."

"Fourteen years ago, a band of experts engineers, property specialists and environmentalists rolled into a Warwickshire village to present a plan for a new high-speed line from London to Manchester and Leeds, with the promise of regional economic growth and jobs. The once-in-a-lifetime HS2 project would see trains travel at speeds of up to 250mph, linking the capital with cities across northern England and finally breaking an historic north-south divide."

"But instead, the residents of Water Orton, where a spur of the line to Birmingham curves around the southern edge of village, claim their once-peaceful community has only been plagued with dust, noise and traffic from construction. Now, the villagers say they are facing another problem; a pungent stench, coming from the opening of a 3.5-mile twin-bore tunnel from Birmingham. It's said to be so strong that some people in the 3,500-population community decide to stay inside."

Independent journalists report from the ground on topics including reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. Investigations examine financial ties such as Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC and produce documentaries like 'The A Word' highlighting American women fighting for reproductive rights. Donations enable continued on-the-ground reporting and funding without paywalls, keeping journalism accessible and supported by those who can afford it. Fourteen years ago, a plan proposed a high-speed HS2 line connecting London with Manchester, Leeds, and northern cities to spur regional growth. Residents of Water Orton report dust, noise, traffic and a pungent stench from a 3.5-mile twin-bore tunnel, prompting some to stay indoors.

Read at www.independent.co.uk