14-2-2020

Johnson backs HS2 - reaction

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So what happened to PJ Masks ?

Views from along the Track

BBC video selection

Environmental organisations

The Woodland Trust

HS2 will shoot a poisoned arrow through the heart of our ancient woods and their wildlife, the Woodland Trust said today.
The Trust ... says today’s announcement shows its expert opinion, that of other NGOs and the concerns of the public worried about the destruction of the irreplaceable habitat has been utterly disregarded.

BBOWT

On behalf of all the wildlife that will be destroyed by HS2, we are dismayed that the Prime Minister has decided to give the go ahead to the environmentally disastrous project.
The Wildlife Trusts’ report on the environmental damage that HS2 will cause shows that huge swathes of irreplaceable natural habitat and precious wildlife sites will be destroyed. All of our attention must now turn to mitigating the inevitable damage HS2 will cause and try to save as many habitats and species as possible.

The Chiltern Society

The Chiltern Society is very disappointed at the Government’s decision to proceed with HS2 in full, and particularly with the section across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The decision to proceed brings significant threats, not least the destruction of precious ancient woodland, additional noise to a tranquil and protected area, light and air pollution fears, and catastrophic disruption to wildlife. The additional water abstraction from the Chiltern aquifer during construction of HS2 will put internationally important chalk streams at serious risk to pollution and extinction.

The Chilterns Conservation Board

The Chilterns Conservation Board is deeply saddened by the Government’s announcement giving the green light to the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project.
HS2 will cause irrevocable damage to the natural beauty and tranquillity of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Not only will HS2 destroy wildlife, habitats and ancient woodlands, it will place unprecedented demand on our fragile chalk aquifer, with potentially devastating impacts on Chilterns’ chalk streams - a globally rare habitat that is home to some of our most threatened animals and plants and the source of drinking water for almost one million people.

Extinction Rebellion

In giving the go-ahead for this vanity project that is so over-budget and environmentally destructive, the Government has not listened to the people. The public are crying out for better local transport. In making this spending choice, the Prime Minister has approved a bottomless financial sinkhole that will destroy much of what little remains of Britain’s precious woodland, wipe out countless endangered and protected species, be a vast new source of carbon emissions, and poison a quarter of London’s water-supply. All at great cost to taxpayers. 

Chris Packham

Like many others who have woken up to the fact that our species and the health of our planet are in terrifying jeopardy, I am extremely disappointed that the government has decided to progress with this hugely environmentally damaging project. (Bucks Herald)
Broadcaster and naturalist Chris Packham is considering legal action following the Prime Minister’s decision to proceed with HS2. In response to the announcement in the House of Commons, Packham has instructed his lawyers at Leigh Day to advise on the legality of the decision to give the go-ahead to Europe’s largest infrastructure project despite the massive environmental damage it will cause.(Ekklesia)

Environment Analysis

proponents and detractors argue it out

edie

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving the green light to the £100bn HS2, edie examines whether the controversial high-speed rail project can align with the UK's net-zero emissions future.

Environmental Journal

Because HS2 is a national infrastructure project it is not under the National Planning Policy Framework, and instead, it has its own planning policies that were put in place ten years ago.
‘If this project had been put through the national planning process it would have been thrown out for being far too damaging.

Politicians

Rob Butler (Aylesbury)

The constituents of Aylesbury are extremely disappointed by the decision to proceed with HS2 not only because of the financial and environmental costs of the project, but because of the appalling way in which HS2 Ltd has treated residents and businesses during its enabling works.

Chiltern District Council

“The environmental implications of HS2 on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be devastating.
"I’m particularly disappointed that the voices of local people have simply not been listened to.