Threat to ancient woodland by HS2 sparks Parliamentary debate
The impact HS2 will have on ancient woodland will be the subject of a 90-minute debate in Westminster Hall tomorrow (Weds, July 2) at 9.30am.
Proposed by Staffordshire MP, Michael Fabricant, the debate will last 90 minutes and focuses on the detrimental impact the current route will have on 67 ancient woods which lie within 200m of the track.
Sue Holden, Woodland Trust Chief Executive, said:
"Hundreds of years’ worth of gradual evolution in these woods could be lost forever for the sake of a few minutes’ travel so we will be watching tomorrow's debate with interest and are obviously very pleased to see the subject given this platform for discussion. With the draft Environmental Statement currently out for consultation, but comprising a superficial and incomplete document, missing vital information on the impacts of this scheme, the debate could not have come at a better time."
"We have long said that HS2's credibility as a 'green' transport measure is seriously compromised by the fact that the route will have a detrimental impact on ancient woodland. It must be understood that there can be no mitigation for ancient woodland loss - it is irreplaceable - and we expect to see this acknowledged with a commitment to show that every possible strategy has been taken to minimise the impact.
"New planting, although vital to mitigate against the impact of HS2 itself, will never have the same value for wildlife as ancient woodland, which is rare, irreplaceable and supports at least 256 species of conservation concern."
Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield in Staffordshire said:
"I will point out in Parliament the destructive nature of the present route of HS2 and the fact that the preferred routes for both phases will cause loss or damage to at least 67 irreplaceable ancient woods.
"People just don't understand that ancient woods are unique and contain soils that have been undisturbed for centuries, forming the UK's richest land habitat for wildlife. They make up just 2% of this country's land area and cannot be trans-located or moved. Once destroyed they are lost forever.
"Instead of using existing transport corridors, Phase 1 of HS2 in particular ploughs a deep furrow across some of England's most beautiful countryside hitherto unblemished by heavy engineering and man's intervention.
"I shall be interested in what other MPs have to say and the response of the Transport Minister, Simon Burns."
For more information on the Woodland Trust's campaign, visit: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/HS2
