A walker has been left furious after an HS2 perimeter intrusion detection system apparently reported her to police for walking on a public footpath.
Marian Allder and her husband were walking their cockapoo between Berkswell and Ballsall Common when they encountered a rather strange experience.
The area is popular with walkers due to its picturesque scenes and general tranquillity.
However, their pleasant Sunday morning stroll turned into anything but when ear-splitting sirens and an authoritative voice with a strong Northern Irish accent blew away all hope of a peaceful walk.
The circular walkway currently has diversions in place due to changes because of impending work connected to HS2 - the controversial super train that once completed will create a speedy connection between north and south.
A woman named Marian was on one of these diversions when she appeared to set off the sensors despite being on the pathway.
Talking of the experience, Marian told Coventry Live: "On the other side of a metal fence these sentinels were alerted even though we were on a public footpath.
"A very loud siren went off, lights were flashing and a male voice with a strong Northern Irish accent informed us our presence had been detected and the landowner and the police would be informed.
"It felt so incongruous. It was very bizarre, it took us completely by surprise and was quite unnerving.
"It was so loud it nearly gave me a heart attack! There were sirens and lights flashing - it was very Big Brother-ish. If you'd have been of a nervous disposition or had a heart problem who knows what might have happened.
"We do this walk quite a lot as we can let our cockapoo off the lead, but I was so angry. If there was anyone there in a high-vis or anything I would have had a go at them - I was so annoyed by it. I was furious."
Coventry Live contacted HS2 for more information and called a phone number on the device which takes you through to a company called PID Systems, or Perimeter Intruder Detection Systems Ltd.
They declined to comment when asked about their services, preferring communications to be conducted via email.
The Scotland-based company has a website that says it offers construction site security.
The publication emailed the firm but we have not received a response.
Talking of HS2, Marian added: "I've done this walk previously and I've seen how HS2 two has decimated this countryside, I've not seen these things before though. What they've done already is bad enough but to have this happen too.
"And the fact they say they've contacted the police? Trespass is a civil matter anyway plus we were on a public footpath on a diversion set up specifically. There was no notice of it, no warning - it was very annoying."
HS2 has confirmed the machine is one of theirs.
An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “We have an authorised closure in place on a public footpath in Berkswell in order to safely complete HS2 works in the area.
"A diversion to the public footpath is clearly signposted. Security devices have been installed as a result of persistent malicious damage to the our diversion and safe working zone. The safety of the public and our staff remains our number one priority.”
CoventryLive replied to the prepared statement to clarify that the device is going off even when people are on the signposted diversion.
They have not responded.
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