HS2 Ltd promised that nature would not lose out when much-loved natural areas and important habitats were destroyed to make way for construction of the high-speed rail line. It made a commitment to No Net Loss of biodiversity for replaceable habitats along Phase 1 and 2a of the route, and a net gain for biodiversity along Phase 2b.
However, The Wildlife Trusts’ new report reveals that Phase 1, which covers 140 miles of track between London and the West Midlands, will cause at least 7.9 times more nature loss than accounted for by HS2 Ltd.
‘HS2 double jeopardy: how the UK’s largest infrastructure project undervalued nature and overvalued its compensation measures’ reveals fundamental flaws in the way HS2 Ltd has assessed the value of nature along the construction path of HS2 including watercourses, ponds and trees which have been missed out of the data as well as problems with the way nature is being valued.
We are calling for HS2 Ltd to
- re-map existing habitats along Phases 1 and 2a, correcting mapping errors
- recalculate the total impacts to nature, by using an up to date and proven methodology
- immediately pause all construction and enabling work
We are asking the UK Government to halt the passage of the Phase 2b Hybrid Bill whilst these new findings are assessed and while there is still time to change the scheme’s design and delivery to limit the adverse impacts, and enhance biodiversity in a way that is commensurate with the scale of the damage.