Work on a huge construction compound for the controversial HS2 project could start early next year.

The compound will be built on the edge of Three Rivers to allow engineers to work on the Chiltern Tunnel.

And officers at Hertfordshire County Council say a timetable shows workmen could arrive on site early next year.

County council officials add: “This is of high importance as the site compound for the Colne Valley will be constructed first.

“The compound will support seven satellite compounds. In total there will be up to 915 workers across all the compounds at any one time, with onsite accommodation for 250.”

Mike Fosberry, of Tilehouse Lane, said: "Traffic will be a huge issue. It will be gridlocked for more than ten years.

"Every working day it is a nightmare. Drivers are using the smaller roads as rat-runs to avoid the A412. 

"People won't be able to sell their properties for full market value because who would want to buy here with HS2 going through? This could affect us for around 10 to 12 years. We put our house up on the market a year ago and it is hard enough just getting people to come and view it."

Neighbours also fear where some of the excess material may be dumped before it is carried away in trucks.

George Rawlinson, of Old Uxbridge Road, believes the field opposite his house may be an area used for dumping despite it being targeted for a gravel extraction site.

He said: "I have got a feeling that field could be used. The road would be lower than that field so the water would run down towards the road and West Hyde.

"West Hyde would be likely to flood alot more."

Petitions will be heard by the House of Lords later this month.

Hertfordshire County Council is expected to warn that an increased numbers of lorries could be dangerous to other motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

It will also warn that the extension of the Chiltern Tunnel will increase the amount of spoil by 19 per cent and estimate that more than 12 million tonnes will be removed.

Work will then begin on the Chiltern Tunnel and Hertfordshire County Council estimate this could start within two years.

The route for the controversial project will take trains from London Euston, through an 8 mile tunnel to Ruislip before continuing to the Colne Valley, in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

It will go over a viaduct, which is estimated to be more than two miles long and 15 metres high, and into Three Rivers, where it will continue on earth embankments to the Chiltern Tunnel.

Earth embankments will also be created in Three Rivers and it is estimated 6 million tonnes of material will be needed to form the West Hyde embankment. The new hill will be built to the south-west of West Hyde.