5 replies to this topic

[Guthlac]

http://www.woodlandt...es/default.aspx
http://www.woodlandt...or-HS2-9d9.aspx


09 Jan 2012 17:36

This is no 'green Government', says Woodland Trust over decision to destroy ancient woodland for HS2

The decision by Transport Secretary Justine Greening, expected to be officially announced later this week, to go ahead with the chosen route for the High Speed Two rail link between London and Birmingham, will condemn 21 ancient woodlands.

Nikki Williams, Woodland Trust Head of Campaigning said: "The way the Government has dealt with its proposal for High Speed Two is extremely disappointing. The consultation lacked sufficient information to make it a credible process. Even now, the environmental impacts of the proposed route have not been properly assessed and there are no plans to assess them until late 2012.The lack of information on alternative routes has made it impossible to establish whether the route chosen was due to anything other than reducing costs and increasing speed.

" Any government agreeing to the destruction of ancient woodland is wholly mistaken when referring to itself as the 'greenest government ever'. Regardless of any mitigation strategy put forward by Government on HS2, no compensation can exist for this loss."

Climate change represents the greatest threat to our woodland heritage and the Woodland Trust strongly supports moves towards green transport. However, it must be efficient, of benefit to the majority and should not sacrifice the environment’s rarest habitats. Ancient woodland is the UK's equivalent of the rainforest and is literally irreplaceable. It is our richest wildlife habitat and even slicing a small corner off one wood impacts the wildlife in the rest of it. Noise and vibration associated with high speed rail has also been consistently shown in studies to have a huge negative impact on wildlife.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
High Speed Two
The current proposed route from London to Birmingham would cause the loss to a minimum of 21 ancient woodlands and a further 27 ancient woods are also likely to suffer loss or significant damage.

Last month's publication by the Transport Select committee recommended that the revised business plan for High Speed Two should take account of the Government’s new approach to economic appraisal, which places a monetary value on natural capital. It also encouraged the Government to 'place greater emphasis on following existing transport corridors'. Both of these are areas the Trust would like to see further developed.

Ancient woodland:
Ancient Woodland is land that has been continuously wooded since 1600. The unique undisturbed soils and ecosystems found in these sites form the UK’s richest land habitat. This habitat provides a home to a host of rare, protected and threatened wildlife - species that are slow to react to change, find it difficult to adapt, and are not mobile enough to move to other locations to survive. It supports some 232 species outlined in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, 1994. It is the UK's equivalent of the rainforest and, once destroyed, can never be replaced. Ancient woodland now accounts for just 2.4% of our land area, a loss fuelled by the fashion for planting fast growing conifers in an industrial age.
Right lines Charter
The Woodland Trust is a signatory of the Right Lines Charter which states: 'High Speed Rail proposals need to be designed from the start to avoid significant adverse impacts on the natural environment… (including biodiversity, landscape, tranquility and access) during construction and operation.'


For more information contact:

Alison Kirkman
Woodland Trust
t:01476 581 121
e: alisonkirkman@woodlandtrust.org.uk

About Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity championing native woods and trees. It has more than 200,000 members and its three key aims are: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees. Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.

[Eassex cempa]

Now wouldn't the championing of this cause by the Anglo-Saxon factions be a fantastic way of both helping spread the message of the govenments malice and also bring people to the knowledge of our own exsistance and cause. Would it not make the leftie lovers worry that the 'Nazi knuckle draggers' are also greener than the covert Nazi governments they so love kissing the arses of !!

E C

[Guthlac]

Eassex cempa, on 13 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

Now wouldn't the championing of this cause by the Anglo-Saxon factions be a fantastic way of both helping spread the message of the govenments malice and also bring people to the knowledge of our own exsistance and cause. Would it not make the leftie lovers worry that the 'Nazi knuckle draggers' are also greener than the covert Nazi governments they so love kissing the arses of !!

E C

I reckon it would mate. I put up a number of posts on the subject in the activ thread.

[Wolof]

Eassex cempa, on 13 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

Now wouldn't the championing of this cause by the Anglo-Saxon factions be a fantastic way of both helping spread the message of the govenments malice and also bring people to the knowledge of our own exsistance and cause. Would it not make the leftie lovers worry that the 'Nazi knuckle draggers' are also greener than the covert Nazi governments they so love kissing the arses of !!

E C

Totally agree. Paving over more land that is irreplaceable, just to link one ghetto to another!

[Steed]

Eassex cempa, on 13 January 2012 - 01:15 AM, said:

Now wouldn't the championing of this cause by the Anglo-Saxon factions be a fantastic way of both helping spread the message of the govenments malice and also bring people to the knowledge of our own exsistance and cause. Would it not make the leftie lovers worry that the 'Nazi knuckle draggers' are also greener than the covert Nazi governments they so love kissing the arses of !!

Yes! Fantastic idea!

I knew a bit about this HS2 thing, but had no idea it was to threaten woodland. To be honest, it makes me want to cry with frustration and anger. There's such a lack of woodland in England as it is. My 'crazier' side can't help thinking this anti-Englisc regime wants to destroy woodland specifically because of the ancient Germanic relationship with forest. Forest is something that makes England ours whereas the desert and savannah dwellers can make do with dry open spaces.

[Guthlac]

I have moved the original above article to the activ thread for folk who wish to talk about it and see the other links and get involved if they choose.