Today the Government gave the green light to the High Speed
2 rail project, without acknowledging the devastating impact
on the hundreds of precious wild places and the wildlife
that depends on them – that lie in the path of the route. The
Wildlife Trusts recently published a report evidencing the
vast scale of the destruction and impact that HS2 will cause to
nature. 'What’s
the damage? Why HS2 will cost nature too
much’ assessed the broad range of impacts across all
phases of HS2 on protected wildlife sites, species and landscape
restoration projects.
Last week, The Wildlife Trusts delivered a letter to the
Prime Minister calling for the project to be reappraised.
The letter was signed by
66,000 people.
Nikki Williams, The Wildlife Trusts’ director of campaigns
and policy, says:
“Nature is paying too high a price for HS2. We urged the
Government to re-consider in the light of The Wildlife Trusts’
report which evidenced the serious risk that HS2 poses to nature
– and to take notice of over 66,000 people who wrote to the Prime
Minister asking him to review HS2. Today’s announcement means
that it is more critical than ever that the whole project is
redesigned – before HS2 creates a scar that can never
heal.
“It is vital that HS2 does not devastate or destroy
irreplaceable meadows, ancient woodlands and internationally
important wetlands that are home to a huge range of
wildlife, from barn owls to butterflies. Green and sustainable
transport is vital, but the climate emergency will not be solved
by making the nature crisis worse.
“As HS2 contractors get on with bulldozing and building,
the public can help wildlife by being alert to works near them.
Contact your local Wildlife Crime officer if you believe HS2 Ltd
or contractors are undertaking works without permission. Wildlife
Trusts along the route will continue to advise and engage with
HS2 Ltd locally.”
