HS2 announced plans to build a green corridor alongside its Phase 1 railway between London and the West Midlands. Credit: Pixabay.

High Speed 2’s (HS2) proposed plan to build a ‘green corridor’ consisting of new wildlife habitats, native woodlands and community spaces alongside its upcoming high-speed railway is facing criticism from tree campaigners.

HS2 announced the corridor will border the first phase of the line linking London to the West Midlands and will cover around nine square kilometres of land.

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The project will also feature over 220 new ponds, public parks, open spaces and nature reserves, in what HS2 says is the largest works ever planned with a UK infrastructure scheme.

However British conservation charity Woodland Trust rejected the announcement, claiming that 40 hectares of ancient woodland have existed since at least 1600 would be destroyed.

Woodland Trust ecologist Luci Ryan said: “This is utter greenwash nonsense from an organisation trying to pretend that HS2 isn’t the most environmentally destructive infrastructure project this country has seen in decades.

“Once that ancient woodland is gone, it’s gone forever, so while planting new trees is all well and good, it’s no substitute for what will be lost. Their plans – which let’s not forget are a condition of the scheme, not being delivered out of the goodness of their hearts – fall woefully short of replacing what will be lost on something being touted as a green infrastructure project.

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“None of this new planting will replace the 30 hectares of ancient woodland destroyed on Phase 1 and the £2m they are making available on Phase 2a as part of the woodland fund will not replace the 10.2ha of ancient woodland they are destroying there. This is like smashing a Ming vase and replacing it with bargain basement crockery.”

The Woodland Trust has long been a strong critic of HS2’s upcoming railway, previously claiming the project would lead to a trail of destruction across the UK. However, HS2 said that the initiative will set new standards for how major infrastructure projects should be built in the UK and Europe.

The company’s announcement follows the UK Government’s recent pledge to invest £2m into the extension of the HS2 Woodland Fund, allowing it to cover Phase 2a of the railway connecting the West Midlands to Crewe.

HS2 Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “Our unique and beautiful countryside is one of our nation’s greatest assets. As we deliver the new high-speed railway our country needs, for economic growth and better journeys for passengers, it is imperative we set a new standard for preserving, protecting and enhancing our diverse woodlands and wildlife.”