HS2 is an express train service to climate and ecological disaster and the first thing the Government should scrap if they are serious about our Climate and Ecological Emergency. It will still be a net carbon contributor 120 years into the future – it is incompatible with our government’s net zero emissions target. HS2 is also promotes massive airport expansion in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. The aviation sector is one of the fastest growing polluters.  The controversial rail project spiralling cost has been estimated at more than £100 billion of taxpayers money – money which would be better spent improving existing infrastructure, and on local services and projects. The deputy chair of the Oakervee Review, the review into the future of HS2, Lord Berkeley, resigned, saying he cannot support its recommendations or conclusions and published an alternate report in early January 2020 concluding that “HS2 is the wrong and expensive solution” recommending to cancel most of HS2 and upgrade existing infrastructure.

Five brave rebels are in tree camps in the Crackley Woods. Despite construction projects across the country being halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, destruction of this precious woodland has begun. Workers are travelling from across the country and staying in local hotels, putting local residents at risk. They are also failing to observe physical distance guidelines. In this time of health crisis, it is unfathomable that the government is pushing ahead with the HS2 work.

There are many things you can do from home. We desperately need funds to keep supporting our protestors in the trees and find novel ways to get them some food (workers and bayliffs blocked all food to the rebels for 4 days!). Every donation counts so please give whatever you can: https://fundrazr.com/HS2Rebellion

There are also remote actions you can do to formally complain to companies who are exposing their employees and the public to health risks as they try to tear down the woorldands.

You can hear more about our rebels’ experiences in the trees with this video.