HS2 is already ‘killing’ golf club

A London golf club has said it has lost half its members and 85 percent of its junior section in the last year because the controversial high speed rail line, HS2, is due to be built next to it.

Ruislip Golf Club has lost 150 adult members and 34 of its 40-strong junior section since 2012.

“Members are telling us they would rather go now than be faced with a mess in three years,” said the club’s secretary Neil Jennings.

HS2’s double-bore tunnel is proposed to emerge so close to the golf course that holes will be lost to the development, and a utility channel is planned to cut across several fairways.

The London Borough of Hillingdon, which owns Ruislip Golf Club, as well as Uxbridge Golf Course, has stated that both golf venues will close when HS2 is built.

“We have been looking at ways of improving both the Uxbridge and Ruislip golf courses,” said leader Ray Puddifoot.

“But in view of the devastation the proposed HS2 route will cause, we can’t proceed at this time.

“In effect, HS2 will close both courses and residents need to recognise this.”

However, Mr Jennings wants to talk to developers to see if the club can be saved.

“Our objective is to get an 18-hole course back that is the same distance or longer and of a comparable standard,” he said.

“It could benefit everyone if someone does a complete redesign of the course, taking into account what has been lost because of HS2. We are trying to turn a negative, which is HS2, into a long-term positive for the whole community.”