S2 protesters
High court order bans eight campaigners from ancient woodland in west London
The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, has been granted an injunction banning campaigners opposed to the construction of the HS2 line on an area of ancient woodland in west London from “unlawful protest” on the site.
The government, along with HS2, sought the injunction to stop eight protesters’ demonstrating on the site in Colne Valley, Hillingdon. However, they admit the project is controversial and acknowledge that many groups and individuals have concerns about various aspects of HS2, including cost and environmental impact.
Regular protests against the impact of the rail line on trees and wildlife have been staged since last October. Grayling and HS2 accuse the protesters of trespass and obstruction of access to the site, and say they have attached themselves to trees and machinery in a bid to disrupt work.
The high court was told on Monday there had been 31 different incidents involving protesters since last October.
The protesters say they are trying to save up to 100 acres of ancient woodlands – an area of natural beauty that can never be replaced – and 2,400 different species of flora and fauna. HS2 says it is creating an ecology habitat (pdf) on the site.
The judge, Mr Justice Barling, praised the protesters as “committed environmentalists”. “Their motives are entirely laudable,” he said. Nonetheless, he granted the injunction.
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