HS2 consultation 'unfair'
A conservation group has complained that the Government's consultation on the HS2 Bill is too short.
The
Woodland Trustsaid the Bill's Environment Statement is expected to be almost 50,000 pages long, yet the consultation will only last 56 days.
Hilary Allison, Woodland Trust Policy Director, said:
"We have recruited a new full time conservation expert whose sole priority over the coming weeks will be the dissection of these documents.
"The enormity of the task being asked of all who have something to contribute to this consultation is undeniable; given its immense length, we feel the timescale given to read and respond is unfair. The Government must understand that the loss of irreplaceable habitats like ancient woodland can never be undone. There is only one chance to ensure the best possible outcome for the environment."
The HS2 Bill will be formally introduced in the Commons this afternoon, along with the 49,000 page Environment Statement.
The Trustsaid the task of reading 49,000 pages in 56 days is similar to reading War and Peace over 30 times in the same period.
The proposed route will cause direct loss or damage to 21 ancient woods with a further 12 ancient woods and their wildlife remaining at 'indirect' risk from factors such as noise and vibration. Thee ancient trees are directly threatened by the first phase of HS2.
MPs won't vote on the HS2 Bill until Second Reading in Spring 2014.
