Sunken lanes are a characteristic feature of the Chiltern landscape – but three are threatened with significant damage during the construction of HS2, as it descends from the Chiltern Tunnel portal towards Wendover. (Map)
The trees and hedges beside the lanes provide vital corridors which allow wildlife to travel between the valley floor and the ridges.
Investigations have discovered large numbers of bats using the vegetation beside Leather and Bowood lanes as a flightpath.