Countryfile were investigating whether schemes such as HS2 tally with the government’s green pledges. Our answer to the question is simply: no. Planting trees and translocating wildlife does not make up for the loss of irreplaceable ancient habitats.

We are calling for the government to stop HS2 and rethink its whole approach to the project. Our national ‘What’s the damage’ report sets out the exorbitant cost to nature and the harm that is being done to our countryside by HS2.

What are we doing about it?
The environmental impact of HS2 is unacceptable and our position has been consistent throughout the process: the Government needs to Stop and Rethink HS2. We have a long track record of campaigning relating to HS2, that can be found on our website.

As well as lobbying at a national level, we continue to try and influence HS2 delivery at a local level to ensure that they raise their aspirations for their environmental impact. Nonetheless, the works continue with scant regard for the environment and HS2 refuses to provide any information as to how their habitat creation schemes are making good losses caused by their operations.

HS2’s ambition of 'no net loss' in biodiversity is clear evidence that it does not intend to deliver benefits for wildlife. It is a weak commitment merely to try, and potentially fail, to make up for the inevitable damage it will do. Unless HS2 raises its ambitions to deliver biodiversity net gain, contribute to nature recovery networks and completely changes its approach to its impact on the environment, we will continue to ask the Government to stop and rethink.