Anti-HS2 protesters camp in trees to halt railway construction
The campaigners say HS2 is destroying woodland during a climate emergency, but its backers say it will create a "green corridor".
Friday 17 January 2020 07:05, UK
Anti-HS2 protesters have tried to block the railway's construction by attaching themselves to trees on the planned route.
A stand-off began when bailiffs arrived on Tuesday to remove a camp on woodland that the company is about purchase in the Colne Valley in Uxbridge, west London.
A man calling himself "Freeman" who had been living at the camp since August, and another called Quercus, managed to remain attached to the trees for nearly three days and two nights.
Freeman told Sky News: "I'll only move out if they make me. They'll have to catch me first. I'll do whatever I feel needs to be done at any time.
"We are in a state of climate emergency and we're dictating to the rest of the world what they should be doing with their woodland. Why should we be chopping down our woodlands?"
Protestor Sarah Green, who works at a nature reserve, said: "HS2 is a horrendous project that destroys our nature reserve and destroys jobs.
"I'm being made unemployed, the habitats and the wildlife is being destroyed."
The protest comes after a report from the Woodland Trust found HS2 will damage or destroy 108 ancient woodlands, five internationally protected wildlife sites, and 693 local wildlife areas.
HS2 Ltd says the construction will not impact bio-diversity as it plans to create a "green corridor" alongside the line.
It is thought a government-commissioned report into the cost effectiveness of the project is due to report back later this month, when ministers will decide how to proceed with HS2.
Today's clash comes a week after a nearby campaign site in a field in Uxbridge was closed down by bailiffs.
A dozen activists had been living on the muddy site, in slum-like conditions, since October 2017. Some were local residents, others are members of Extinction Rebellion.
They say the camp has been monitoring and highlighting HS2 progress and damage to the environment.
After the field camp was shut down some protesters moved into the forest, but say the nearby pathway was blocked off by HS2 bailiffs and they were in effect fenced in.
Mark Keir, from Save Colne Valley, who is also in the woodland camp, said: "We have 2,400 species in this area.
"We have otters, water voles, eels, glow worms, barn owls, tawny owls, little owls, kestrel, kite, buzzard, sparrowhawk, peregrines.
"120 species of bird that nest in the trees and it's far and away the most biodiverse area of London, we can't afford to lose it."
Protesters also say they are not being served with proper notice before being removed from sites - however HS2 Ltd says they are acting within their rights.
An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: "This is land that is legally possessed by HS2.
"Protests such as this are costly to the taxpayer and are a threat to the security and safety of the public and our workers.
"We understand people feel strongly about the project and that they want us to hear their views, which is why we have numerous channels through which they can make their feelings understood.
"Investment in a state-of-the-art high speed line is critical for the UK's low-carbon transport future, will provide much needed rail capacity up and down the country, and is integral to rail projects in the North and Midlands which will help rebalance the UK economy."
The two tree climbers came down in their third day of protest and were not arrested. Freeman was taken to hospital to be treated for hypothermia. Both said they will do it again.
With four other Stop HS2 camps further up the proposed track, this is set to be a recurring problem.