Thread by @HS2ltd

Challenge the lie that HS2 will destroy 108 woodlands. To support 500,000 UK jobs and deliver a low carbon, high capacity, better connected transformation of our railways, there are some upfront limited impacts. But let’s look at how limited they are:
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England has 52,000 ancient woodland sites. 43 are affected by HS2 between London and Crewe, of which over 80% will remain intact.
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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. Through careful design and environmental consideration less than 0.29 square kilometres of them will be lost.
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But what about the 108 ancient woods that some claim are being ‘destroyed’? It’s inaccurate and misleading. Here’s some examples. One of the 108 is a wood in Staffordshire that is over 3km from the HS2 route and is not directly affected.
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Another wood, near Wendover, is over 2km from the HS2 route - which will be in a green tunnel at the closest point. The wood is actually next to an area where HS2 will provide a new cricket pitch and pavilion.
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Likewise, near Chipping Warden another wood is 1.4km from where the HS2 route runs through another green tunnel.
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South of Newcastle-under-Lyme, this wood is 1.2km from the Phase 2a route. There is no direct impact on it.
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There’s also no direct impact on this wood north of Royal Leamington Spa too. It’s over 1km from the Phase 1 route.
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This wood is 765 metres from our line of route – which is running in the 10 miles long Chilterns tunnel at that point. Again, no direct impact.
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And, up the line near Southam this wood is over 500m away from where our route enters a tunnel under Long Itchington Wood. There are many, many examples like this.
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Through the Construction Code of Practice we will put in place control measures to prevent indirect impacts on woods - like pollution, dust and lighting. Find out more about the air quality measures: hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/h…
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We're also creating and enhancing 33 sq km of new and existing #wildlife #habitat. An area over 7 times bigger than Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve. An increase of around 30% compared to what is there now. Progress so far includes 60 new wildlife habitats being created.
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In addition, a £7 million HS2 Woodland Fund will be available to help restore existing ancient woodlands and to create new native woodlands that connect or extend existing ancient woodlands.
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Over 300,000 #trees will be planted this winter, bringing the total between London and the West Midlands to over 730,000 ahead of our 7 million target. Find out more facts about HS2 and woodlands: hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/h…
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