The Green Signpost

The Woodland Trust

This is heartbreaking.

HS2 will shoot a poisoned arrow through the heart of our ancient woods and their wildlife. Today’s announcement shows that our expert opinion, that of other NGOs, and the concerns of the public worried about the destruction of the irreplaceable habitat, has been utterly disregarded.

Some 61 ancient woods along the HS2 route are earmarked for total or partial destruction while a further 47 will suffer damage from noise, vibration, light and pollution.

Adam Cormack, Head of Campaigning, said: “Future generations won’t forget the disregard shown for the environmental costs of HS2, especially at a time when recognition has never been greater of the need to protect the environment in the face of the climate and nature emergency."

HS2 Ltd did not properly identify all the ancient woodland along the scheme before they designed the route. If this had happened the project could have avoided much of the ancient woodland in its path. Instead ancient woodland has been identified in a piecemeal manner and often long after the designs were finalised, making it much more difficult to save.

We will be reviewing today’s decision and talking to other charities and people affected by HS2 about our response and what happens next https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/press-centre/2020/02/hs2-poison-arrow-for-environment/