Disappointing result for wildlife
As damaging high speed rail route gets go
ahead
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust today expresses
disappointment as the first phase of High Speed 2 (HS2) is given
the go-ahead by the Transport Secretary. Serious damage to
wildlife and habitats is expected in Warwickshire, Coventry and
Solihull as a result of the route's construction.
Research by The Wildlife Trusts shows the
route for HS2 phase one, to run from London to Birmingham, could
threaten around 160 wildlife sites including more than 40 ancient
woodlands. In Warwickshire around 80 important sites are
threatened, including, for example, the irreplaceable ancient
bluebell woodland at South Cubbington.
Additional measures to reduce negative
impacts, including tunnel construction, were announced by Justine
Greening today but we can see no benefit to wildlife or wild places
in Warwickshire.
Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive, for
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said:
"The Transport Secretary says
Government is committed to the 'lowest feasible impact' on
wildlife. Yet the mitigation measures announced focus on the noise
and visual impact of HS2. Even where new tunnels are proposed they
will not necessarily prevent damage to fragile habitats - it could
even make matters worse. It is vital that the impacts on wildlife
are not overlooked yet again in this process."
"Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is
committed to securing the best possible outcome for wildlife as HS2
is developed: the Government must live up to its promises to
protect the natural environment by committing the funds and
resources to ensure full and proper compensation for the habitats
and species which will be destroyed."
Read more about Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust's position on HS2 at www.wildlifetrusts.org/hs2 or at www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk.
Sign the e-petition
here
Contact information:
Stephen Trotter, Chief Executive
Phone: 024 7630 8994
Email stephen.trotter@wkwt.org.uk
Notes for editors:
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a
voluntary charity which works for people and wildlife in
Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. The Trust looks after 56
reserves, we are supported by more than 23,000 members and 500
volunteers. We promote a better natural environment for local
wildlife and local people as part of our aim to create a living
landscape in the West Midlands. For more information see www.warwickshire-wildlife-trust.org.uk.
The Wildlife Trusts
(TWT) wildlifetrusts.org There
are 47 individual Wildlife Trusts covering the whole of the
UK. All are working for an environment rich in wildlife for
everyone. We have more than 800,000 members including 150,000
members of our junior branch Wildlife Watch.
Our vision is to create A Living
Landscape and secure Living
Seas. We manage 2,256 nature reserves covering more than
90,000 hectares.and every year we advise thousands of landowners
and organisations on how to manage their land for wildlife. We also
run marine conservation projects around the UK, collecting vital
data on the state of our seas and celebrating our amazing marine
wildlife. Every year we work with thousands of schools and
our nature reserves and visitor centres receive millions of
visitors. Each Wildlife Trust is working within its local
communities to inspire people about the future of their area: their
own Living Landscapes and Living Seas.