HS2 plan 'will destroy Warwickshire wildlife'

THOUSANDS of nature lovers across Coventry and Warwickshire are being rallied to fight the latest plans for a high-speed rail line.

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is calling on its 23,500 members to stand together in opposing plans for non-stop bullet trains that would cut the journey time from London to Birmingham to 49 minutes.

They say the proposed route for HS2 will create a “massive iron and concrete curtain” that will have a “devastating” impact on wild animals and plants.

Chief executive Steven Trotter, who this year took over the running of Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, based at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, has spoken out since the government announced their intended route.

He said: “The new route for HS2 will be devastating for Warwickshire’s wildlife – and especially protected species such as bats, nationally-rare butterflies, bluebells and otters in some of our most sensitive and beautiful habitats.

“We’re here to stand up for wildlife. I know that thousands of Wildlife Trust members and members of the public will be writing to their MPs, lobbying government, and collaborating with the many community Stop HS2 action groups.”

On Monday, transport secretary Philip Hammond announced the government’s “preferred route” for the £17 billion scheme, which would see 250mph trains run through local communities including Burton Green, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Southam and across the western edge of Coventry.

A six-month public consultation will now follow.

Warwickshire is one of seven Wildlife Trusts that will feel the impacts of the high- speed rail route and Mr Trotter’s fears have been echoed at a national level.

Stephanie Hilborne, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said: “Whilst consideration may have been given to noise and visual impacts on those people who live along the proposed route, Philip Hammond made no reference at all to the impact on the natural environment.”

Analysis by the Wildlife Trusts finds the route will directly affect two of its nature reserves, four sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs), 10 ancient woodland sites and 53 local wildlife sites.

The Wildlife Trust is made up of 47 groups nationwide with more than 800,000 members.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2010/12/24/hs2-plan-will-destroy-warwickshire-wildlife-92746-27881636/#ixzz19Pj3bOh5