Survey reveals High Speed 2 (HS2), a planned high-speed railway in the United Kingdom will divide and destroy hundreds of wildlife sites and nature reserves including “irreplaceable” ancient woodlands.
The Wildlife Trusts warns, HS2 will irreparably damage five internationally protected wildlife sites, 693 local wildlife sites, 108 ancient woodlands and 33 legally protected sites of special scientific interest.
The Wildlife Trust said the high-speed rail line linking London and northern England could wipe out rare species. They called on the government to “stop and rethink”.
The organisation fears rare species such as the Dingy Skipper Butterfly could become extinct in some local habitats.
Barn Owls and the endangered White Clawed Crayfish could also be impacted by the project, it added.
HS2 Ltd said the number of sites flagged as at risk in the report “simply isn’t accurate”.
It said its railway would respect the environment and plant millions of trees and shrubs to create a “green corridor” along the route.
Nikki Williams, director of campaigns and policy, said: “HS2 will destroy precious carbon-capturing habitats if it’s allowed to continue in its current form.
“It will damage the very ecosystems that provide a natural solution to the climate emergency.”
Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said HS2 Ltd had “a vital responsibility to lead by example” and “must not end up cutting corners at the expense of the environment”.
>Juthy Saha
