Residents in a sought-after Midlands village have been offered a glimmer of hope that the mystery behind a persistent 'fishy smell' blighting the area may finally be solved, following years of major disruption from the HS2 rail project.
A Village Under Siege from Construction
For years, the community of Water Orton, located just over the Birmingham border in north Warwickshire, has been a hub of construction activity for the controversial high-speed rail line. Despite trains not scheduled to stop there, the village has borne the brunt of long-term upheaval. The impact has been so severe that the local primary school, already relocated due to the project, now plans to reduce its capacity as numerous families have moved away.
Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth, Rachel Taylor, confirmed she continues to receive a 'high volume' of cases from constituents affected by a litany of issues. In November 2025, she raised the matter in Parliament, highlighting that the foul odour was just one of many problems residents face daily.
Residents Speak Out on the Impact
When visited on December 3, 2025, locals provided a stark picture of life under the shadow of HS2. Grandmother Gill Smith confirmed the pervasive smell, stating, "The smell's horrible, it's like fish and some days you can't even put the washing out. You can't even open your windows." She believes the project has significantly impacted villagers' mental health, a situation she fears will worsen.
Helen Carlill described the frequent smell as "absolutely horrible," adding that she must clean her car weekly due to settling dust. "It's been awful. The road closures, the dust, the smell," she said, noting her children had to change schools as a result of the disruption.
Ann Anderson, who moved to the village 15 years ago, lamented the decline she has witnessed. "We're a very popular village and property is sought-after, but HS2 has decimated us," she said, pointing to severe traffic delays and the loss of local fields.
HS2's Response and the Source of the Smell
A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd stated they are working to reduce disruption and keep residents informed. They confirmed that chief executive Mark Wild had met with locals and MP Rachel Taylor to hear concerns directly. The company has implemented measures including funded road repairs, dedicated construction access routes, and free car and window washing for those closest to the sites.
Regarding the notorious odour, HS2 confirmed a thorough investigation had identified the cause. A spokesperson explained: "We have thoroughly investigated reports of an odour in Water Orton which is linked to the use of lime to stabilise material excavated from the Bromford tunnels and is not hazardous."
This lime stabilisation is a standard construction technique allowing material reuse elsewhere on the project. Crucially, HS2 added that excavation of the Bromford tunnels was completed in November 2025, and steps are now being taken to reduce or eliminate the smell from the remaining material stockpiles, offering a potential end to the villagers' olfactory ordeal.
