Ancient woodland due to be cut down for HS2 saved after government postpones work

Eleven ancient woodlands which were due to be cut down this autumn for HS2 have been temporarily saved as the government postphoned work.

This came after a legal challenge by BBC Springwatch presenter Chris Packham, who has been protesting the destruction of our ancient woodlands since the project was announced.

These woods have been around since the 1600s, and have therefore seen a lot of history. The bulk of the eleven woodlands which have been saved once made up the ancient Forest of Arden, which was the setting for Shakespeare's play As You Like It.

Now, just 2 per cent of Britain's original ancient woodlands remain - and 42 of them are due to be cut down to make way for the controversial train project.

While HS2 is under review, the government announced yesterday afternoon that work on these sites will be deferred to Autumn or Winter 2020 in five of the woodlands, and to early 2020 on six of them.

Last month, transport secretary Grant Shapps said he had ordered HS2 to reconsider chopping down the trees unless absolutely necessary - but after that, contractors moved in on some of the woodlands. Now, they have been banned from touching them  until the review is over.

Chris Packham celebrated the news, tweeting: "We have won a (temporary) MASSIVE VICTORY in regard to HS2 . Huge thanks to Leigh Day Law, whose actions this week have led to this. Thanks also to Grant Shapps and the Department for Transport for seeing sense and to all the activists in the woods".

A Woodland Trust spokesperson said: "We are pleased that the Government has today confirmed that work in all ancient woods will be deferred until the completion of its review of HS2, at least.

"This is the right decision but it has come very late in the day and only after much pressure from the Woodland Trust and many other organisations and individuals. We remain concerned about the fact that HS2 will still be carrying out some work at these sites.

"The richness of Ancient Woodland isn’t just about  trees. It’s also the vegetation, the soils and the wildlife that makes ancient woodland a special irreplaceable habitat. Work that permanently affects these habitats must be stopped too while the review is completed."

A government spokesperson said: "Of the 52,000 ancient woodland sites in England, 43 will be affected by HS2’s route between London and Crewe, and over 80 per cent of the total area of these 43 will remain intact and untouched by HS2.

"HS2 aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK. It will be a greener way to travel offering some of the lowest carbon emissions per passenger kilometre, significantly less than cars and domestic air travel.

"Seven million new trees and shrubs, including over 40 native species, specific to each location will be planted as part of the HS2 programme. The new native woodlands will cover over 9 square kilometres of land."