Swathes of ancient
woodland are living on borrowed time as HS2 starts to force its way through our
countryside, says the Woodland Trust.
Preparatory work for
Phase 1, including the forced eviction of bats and badgers, has already started
despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordering a review into spending on the
environmentally destructive scheme.
Now the Trust is
calling for its supporters to lobby upcoming review chairman, Douglas Oakervee,
(a former chairman of HS2), Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and HS2 minister
Paul Maynard to fully consider the evidence around the environmental impacts of
the project as well, while halting all advance work until the review is
complete.
Director of
Conservation and External Affairs Abi Bunker said: “There is a danger that the
review will be looking into the business case for HS2, completely ignoring the
value of our ancient woodlands and other important wildlife habitats to the
fabric and wellbeing of this country.
“Ancient woodland is
one of our most precious natural habitats. It cannot be moved. It cannot be
replaced and we may well lose many of our greatest national assets and habitats
– assets that can never be replaced – to a scheme that might not even happen.
“The fact we are
losing ancient woodland at all is terrible. To lose it needlessly would be a
travesty. This destruction cannot be allowed to go ahead.
“Time is of the
essence. We need people to act fast and apply pressure to the Government to
make them realise that HS2 will cost far more than money, and that destroying
our precious woodlands is a one-time mistake that will be looked back on in
shock by future generations.
“Our ancient
woodlands and the unique species they support are on borrowed time. We need
Government to listen before it’s too late to save them from careless
destruction.”
At least 108 ancient
woods are threatened with loss or damage from the two phases of HS2.
Thirty-four ancient
woods will be directly affected on Phase 1 with a loss of more than 31
hectares, with a further 29 suffering secondary effects such as disturbance,
noise and pollution.
Preparatory work
currently underway for Phase 1 includes the removal of bat roosts along the
route and the relocation of badgers and destruction of badger setts at six
sites in Warwickshire. This involves fitting one way gates at the entrances to
setts so that once a badger leaves the safety of its home it cannot get back
in.
Ancient woodland
along the route is due to be bulldozed this autumn. HS2 is attempting to
translocate some sites; a practice the Woodland Trust has repeatedly argued
does not work and has proactively campaigned against.
Translocation of
ancient woodland involves moving soils and sometimes tree stumps to a receptor
site in the vain hope some habitat is salvageable, but there is very little
evidence of its success.
Those wanting to add
their voice to the Trust’s in putting pressure on the review to consider the
environmental impact of HS2 can do so at www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/hs2
