Environmental groups claim HS2 will cause damage

WEST Midlands Friends of the Earth campaigner Chris Crean believes only the wealthy will benefit from the HS2 development.

He said: "We need to revolutionise travel away from roads and planes but pumping £32 billion into high speed travel for the wealthy few while the rest of us suffer from a lack of investment in our transport infrastructure is not the answer.

"High-speed rail could have a role to play in developing a greener, faster transport system, but current plans won't do enough to cut emissions overall – ministers should prioritise spending on improving local train and bus services instead.

"Just a fraction of the massive budget for HS2 would rescue the 30,000 solar jobs under threat from government cuts – investment of this kind would take us a lot further, faster, to a safe and prosperous future."

* Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has also hit out at the plans saying HS2 will cause damage to wildlife and habitats.

Research by The Wildlife Trusts shows the route from London to Birmingham could threaten around 80 important sites in Warwickshire.

Stephen Trotter, chief executive, for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said: "The Transport Secretary says government is committed to the lowest feasible impact on wildlife.

"Yet the mitigation measures announced focus on the noise and visual impact of HS2.

"Even where new tunnels are proposed they will not necessarily prevent damage to fragile habitats – it could even make matters worse. It is vital that the impacts on wildlife are not overlooked yet again in this process.

"Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is committed to securing the best possible outcome for wildlife as HS2 is developed the Government must live up to its promises to protect the natural environment by committing the funds and resources to ensure full and proper compensation for the habitats and species which will be destroyed."