03.02.16
HS2 accused of errors in assessing impact on 63 ancient woods
The Woodland Trust has accused HS2 Ltd of multiple errors in its assessment of the impact of the new high-speed railway on 63 ancient woods.
The Trust, which gave evidence before HS2 Select Committee today, said HS2 had manipulated calculations aiming to prove it can build the rail line without a net loss of biodiversity.
However, HS2 has said that its approach to ancient woodland is consistent with Natural England guidance.
The Trust said HS2 has attempted give a lower quality rating to ancient woods, which goes against government guidance.
It adds that HS2 Ltd had offered no explanation for how it had calculated the number of trees that it states should be planted for trees lost, or legally binding promises for monitoring the effectiveness of environmental compensation.
Luci Ryan, an ecologist at the Woodland Trust, said: “Despite years of meetings, lobbying, groundwork, research and reams of paperwork provided by the Woodland Trust to HS2 Ltd, they have not only failed to rectify errors in relation to ancient woodland, but even to fully admit them.
“Instead, they’re attempting to disguise the irrevocable loss and damage this irreplaceable habitat will suffer, misleading the government, the Select Committee and the public. In doing so, it could set dangerous precedents that put ancient woodland at even greater risk in future.”
Richard Pain, a spokesman for HS2 Ltd, said: “HS2 will build on best practice for environmental protection and we remain committed to our goal of seeking no net loss to biodiversity.
“Wherever possible we have avoided ancient woodland when planning the route of the railway. A number of changes to protect ancient woodland have been made, including an extension to the Chilterns tunnel which means a further 9.2 hectares will no longer be lost.
“Our approach to ancient woodland is consistent with Natural England guidance and we have committed to creating new wooded areas, which will be managed and monitored for up to 50 years.
He added that an external ecology review group, including the Woodland Trust, will oversee monitoring results and make recommendations to ensure their ecological commitments are met.