HS2 threat to ancient trees
The high-speed rail line HS2 will cause loss or damage to at least 67 irreplaceable ancient woods, unless the route is changed.
The
Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, has called for look again at the route.
MPs will debate HS2 for the first time tomorrow, when the High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill gets its second reading in the Commons.
“We remain concerned that this Bill, if enacted, will provide a blank cheque to Government to spend high levels of public money on a project with an environmentally destructive current route,” said a Woodland Trust spokesman.
“Ancient woods are lands which have been continuously wooded since 1600, and form 2% of our country.
“Their unique undisturbed soils form the UK's richest habitats for wildlife.
“There is a clear dislocation between the Government's policies on protection of ancient woodland and their selection of the preferred route for the HS2 scheme.
“We urge the Government to look again at the route for HS2, and provide a credible alternative which does not transgress its own policy on ancient woodland protection.”
The
Woodland Trustsaid the HS2 draft Environmental Statement is “superficial, inconsistent and incomplete, with crucial ecology surveys and assessments yet to be undertaken – making it impossible for communities to respond effectively”.
“HS2 should provide a golden opportunity to showcase the very best of British construction, utilising cutting edge engineering techniques to deliver a truly word class project which fully respects the natural environment,” a spokesman said.
“It should reflect the Government’s own policies on habitat protection and provide comprehensive and proportionate compensation for any damage it causes. So far this opportunity has not been taken.
“MPs are being asked to endorse a scheme which, by following the present route, will leave environmental destruction in its wake.
“We urge MPs to fully consider these issues further before supporting a Bill that lacks the necessary detail to provide confidence that the high levels of public investment being sought will actually facilitate a scheme that Britain can be proud of and which respects our natural heritage.”
