Thread by @WoodlandTrust

Today’s #HS2 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 #AncientWoods along the #HS2 route are earmarked for total or partial destruction while a further 47 will suffer damage from noise, vibration, light, and pollution. woodlandtrust.org.uk/protecting-tre…

“The Government is riding roughshod over its own environmental ambitions and ignoring lessons learned from the past, by allowing destruction of #AncientWoodland and other important habitats on this scale." - @AdamCormack_ #HS2

One of our main concerns is that @HS2ltd did not properly identify all the #AncientWoodland along the scheme before they designed the #HS2 route.

If this had happened the project could have avoided much of the ancient #woodland in its path. woodlandtrust.org.uk/media/45292/wo…

Instead #AncientWoodland has been identified in a piecemeal manner and often long after the designs were finalised, making it much more difficult to save.

@HS2ltd's calculations clearly show that the scheme will cause a net loss of #biodiversity. #HS2

It’s now too close to spring to be doing preparatory work for #HS2 in these woodlands, which needs to wait until much later in the year to comply with guidance.

It is unclear how @HS2ltd are proposing to handle this.

“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 nature and #ClimateEmergency." - @AdamCormack_