Thread by @HS2ltd

HS2 respects the right to peaceful, lawful protest. However, we must correct the incorrect and misleading information about the #HS2 project, such as false claims that entire woodlands are being destroyed.
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HS2 is very conscious of its impact in building the new railway and takes its responsibilities very seriously, employing world leading ecologists delivering many miles of ecological and landscape investments.
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The UK, in particular the Midlands and North, need this vital investment to bring more job opportunities and better connect towns and cities, as well as help decarbonise our transport network. We are committed to delivering the greenest major project ever delivered in the UK.

The Courts have ruled HS2: “works were long ago authorised by Parliament and there is a strong public interest in ensuring that, in a democracy, activities sanctioned by Parliament are not stopped by individuals merely because they do not personally agree with them."
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Protestor behaviour at this site and others includes: mass littering, throwing urine at our workers from trees. Spitting and throw stones at them. Verbal abuse, physical assault. All through the Covid-19 lockdowns.
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Plus, Extinction Rebellion camps and their presence in the trees and at these locations has created risk to nesting birds that HS2 is safeguarding, and has caused damage to the ancient woodland soil which our ecology team plan to translocate to preserve it.
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HS2 takes the environmental cost of construction seriously. That's why we’re delivering an unprecedented amount of tree planting and habitat creation on the line. 7 million trees and shrubs will be planted. Over 430,000 new trees have already been planted.
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There are 52,000 ancient woodland sites in England. Our published assessments are that 43 will be affected by HS2’s route between London and Crewe. 80% of the total area of those 43 ancient woodlands will remain intact and untouched by HS2.
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If an ancient woodland is described as affected, in many cases this means a small section of it is affected. On Phase One, 32 are described as affected but in 19 the total area of loss is less than 1 hectare. Only 0.29 square kilometres of ancient woodland will be lost.
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We've already created over 60 new wildlife habitats between Hillingdon and North Warwickshire, including species diverse grassland, ponds and native tree and shrub planting, to support a broad number of species including newts, reptiles, badgers, birds, and bats.
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The route’s development benefited from some of the UK’s most experienced ecologists. HS2 will be criss-crossed by access routes with 140 bridges and underpasses on Phase One, including 16 green bridges covered in planting and 32 miles of tunnel. hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/h…
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HS2 will offer some of the lowest carbon emissions per passenger km - In 2030, 7 times less than cars and 17 times less than domestic flights. It supports the transition to a net-zero carbon UK economy and will help improve air quality. ow.ly/cz3k50BGqwF
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Estimated total carbon emissions from building and operating Phase One is less than ONE MONTH of road emissions. HS2 is the shovel ready alternative to cars, lorries and planes and will help transition the UK to a net-zero carbon UK economy
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