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Volume 47 | Issue 4
perpetually single since 1973
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Climate | 29
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Three-week HS2 road closures threaten campus commuter chaos
» Image: Martin Day / The Boar
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"I'm the f**king landlord” Lawbreaking and neglect are rife in ‘mouldy’ and ‘dangerous’ student housing, Anna Bickerton and Martin Day find.
News | 5
A market in
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Finance | 12
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Kara Evans, she/her Deputy News Editor tudents returning for the spring term are set to face commuter carnage as a key road between campus and Leamington Spa closes for three weeks. The road closures come as a result of phased works on the HS2 railway line running under the A46 near Kenilworth. Currently, a box structure is being constructed adjacently to the carriageway which will later house the new HS2 line. The three-week closure, set for the spring, is needed to move the structure into place using a “box push” technique across the existing carriageway. HS2 has defended the road closures on its website.
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It stated: “This construction method reduces the impact on road users and our workforce by working away from the carriageway and only installing traffic management on the A46 when it is essential.”
“Students have enough on their plate already” — Jasper, third-year student To facilitate the “box push”, preparatory works were completed in two phases in 2024, clearing vegetation and installing construction infrastructure.
Phase three of the project, set for February, consists of drainage works alongside and under the existing carriageway to prepare for the movement of the bridge in spring. Temporary northbound and southbound lane restrictions will be put in place as part of this along the carriageway until spring. Additionally, a section of the A46 between the start of Coventry and Kenilworth will be closed for two weekends: between 8pm Friday, 7 February to 6am Monday, 10 February, and again from 8pm Friday, 14 February to 6am Monday, 17 February. Students across campus have already expressed concern about
their route to campus being impacted by the works. Final-year English Literature and Creative Writing student Jasper Young displayed his discontent towards the roadworks when talking to The Boar. He said: “As a third-year student, trying to balance a job and society responsibilities alongside my degree is difficult enough. Having to plan for a commute to campus which can take nearly as long as the train from Leamington to London is beyond frustrating.” He added: “Students have enough on their plate already and further roadworks are just...
» Image: Pexels / Laura Paredis
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