Extinction Rebellion: Activists scale trees to stop HS2 cutting them down

Twelve Extinction Rebellion activists have camped out in trees to stop HS2 railway workers from chopping them down in the Colne Valley nature reserve in west London.

The campaigners plan to stay put until the end of the weekend when HS2’s permit to close Harvil Road in order to carry out the tree felling runs out.

Extinction Rebellion activists have joined forces with Stop HS2 to raise awareness about wildlife habitats and water supplies they say are at risk because of building work for the £56bn high-speed rail link.

The road was due to close from 8am-6pm on Saturday and Sunday to allow HS2 workers to chop down 16 mature trees including willow, field maple, oak and hawthorn. But the activists scaled the trees at 6am before the work could begin.

As of Saturday afternoon, the road remains open with none of the trees cut down.

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Jo Rogers, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion, said: “Given strength of wind, (we’re) beginning to be concerned for climbers. So far they’re all happy and warm in blankets.”

Activists tied banners to the trees with messages such as “Declare Climate Emergency” and were pictured reading books and wrapped in blankets.

Activists say that the action could be the first of many of its kind along the HS2 route, claiming that the work at the Colne Valley site is at the “vanguard of environmental destruction”.

The regional park contains a number of important wetland habitats and is home to kingfishers, waterfowl, grass snakes and muntjac deer.

Campaigners fear that HS2’s development in the park will destroy the natural habitats of these creatures. They also say that 22 per cent of London’s drinking water comes from Colne Valley and are concerned that the work could damage the quality of the water.

But HS2 says that the development will create more than 650 hectares of new woodland, wetland and wildlife habitats alongside the whole line.

Joe Rukin, the campaign manager of Stop HS2, described the tree climbing action as “mission accomplished”.

“HS2 will not be able to cut down any trees today or tomorrow and it will take 20 days for further road closures to be approved to allow the felling to take place,” he said.

“This could be the first of many actions up and down the HS2 route. Work is more advanced at Colne Valley, so it is really at the vanguard of environmental destruction.

HS2 has not yet been given notice to proceed with their work and so we are calling on them to immediately halt the work they are currently doing in places like Colne Valley.”

Sian Cox, 54, one the activists involved in the protest, said: “Extinction Rebellion was the first time I was arrested and this is my first time at a protest site. The fight we have on our hands is to change the system that puts short-term economic growth ahead of the health of the biosphere we all rely on for life. We are killing our host, and this tree is a symbol of that for me.

“The only thing that works in a system that does not want to change is non-violent action like this.”

In response to the action, a spokesperson from HS2 said: “HS2 aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK, and managing our impact on the environment during construction is a high priority.

“HS2 will create extra capacity on our transport network, taking cars and lorries off the road. The project will also deliver a new green corridor made up of more than 650 hectares of new woodland, wetland and wildlife habitats alongside the line. More than seven million new native trees and shrubs will be planted to help blend the line into the landscape and leave a lasting legacy of high quality green spaces all along the route.

“HS2 Ltd is working closely with the Environment Agency and Affinity Water to ensure construction activities do not adversely affect the flow, level or quality of surface waters and groundwater in the Chilterns-Colne Valley area.”

Additional reporting by PA