Cheshire Wildlife Trust fears the five-mile section of HS2 will destroy vital areas of natural habitat.
They believe the high speed link just south of Crewe will destroy 69 ponds, 14 miles of hedgerows, and 27 acres of native woodland, including ancient woods.
Their concerns were aired after the HS2 plans were reaffirmed in the Queen’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament.
In the speech, it set out the government’s commitment to High Speed 2 Phase 2a.
Cheshire Wildlife Trust has concerns over the bill which will give legal powers to compulsorily purchase land, and to construct and operate the railway between Birmingham and Crewe.
Rachel Giles, Evidence and Planning Manager at Cheshire Wildlife Trust, has been campaigning hard to ensure the best outcomes for nature.
“Although Cheshire Wildlife Trust is generally supportive of sustainable transport schemes, we believe this must not be achieved at the expense of the natural environment,” she said.
“We have concerns that the proposed route, just south of Crewe, will cut through the Meres and Mosses Nature Improvement Area.
“This area was designated by the coalition government in 2012 in order to reconnect important wetland habitats, which had become isolated from each other.
“HS2 will effectively sever ecological connectivity with the eastern section, undermining the very reasons for its designation.
“Our view is that the proposals in the 5-mile Cheshire section of the route up to Crewe will destroy 69 ponds, 14 miles of hedgerows, and 27 acres of native woodland (including possible ancient woodland).
“We are particularly concerned about farmland birds, water voles, and globally endangered native crayfish – all of which are likely to be impacted by the route and its associated infrastructure.”
Cheshire Wildlife Trust is a member of the HS2 Phase 2 Ecology Technical Group.
The group voluntarily provides expertise and data to inform the ecological principles and practices of HS2 Ltd to enable the best possible outcome for ecology.
The Trust will continue its ongoing conversations with HS2 Ltd to try and secure appropriate mitigation for the likely impacts on local wildlife.
Phase 2 could be completed and open as early as 2027.
Cheshire East Council believes the scheme will create thousands of jobs for the area, and reduce travelling time from Crewe to London to just 55 minutes.
A hub station and rolling stock depot could also be located in Crewe, creating 400 permanent jobs for the area.
(Pic of Cheshire countryside, by Matt Lawton)
It seems the needless Tory train set rolls on regardless. What a waste of money and an act of environmental vandalism.