The report on High Speed Rail published today by the Transport Select Committee, which calls on the Government to 'consider and clarify' various matters before committing to a decision on HS2, does little to allay environmental concerns, says the Woodland Trust.

Christina Byrne, Woodland Trust National Caseworker, said: "This report skims over much of our concern around the substantial negative effects High Speed Two will have on irreplaceable habitats such as ancient woodland. Despite Government claims about the possibilities of translocation of woodland and the proposed planting of up to two million trees, the reality is that ancient woodland cannot be recreated. The conditions are unique in terms of centuries of undisturbed soils and tree cover."

The Woodland Trust strongly supports moves towards greener transport as climate change represents the greatest threat to our woodland heritage. However, it maintains that green transport should be efficient, of benefit to the majority, and not represent a threat to the nation's most valuable wildlife habitats.

The Trust supports the report's highlighting of concerns over the Government's intention to decide on whether to proceed with Phase I before information on Phase 2 is published and before environmental impacts of either phase are clear. It also notes the recommendation that the revised business plan for HS2 should take account of the Government’s new approach to economic appraisal, which places a monetary value on natural capital, and the encouragement that the Government 'place greater emphasis on following existing transport corridors'.

Notes to Editors:

HSR report
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/news/hsr---substantive/

High Speed Two
The current proposed route from London to Birmingham would cause the loss of a minimum of 21 ancient woodlands and a further 27 ancient woods are also likely to suffer loss or significant damage.

Ancient woodland:
This is land that has been continually wooded since at least AD1600. It is the UK’s richest habitat for wildlife being home to more species of conservation concern than any other habitat, supporting some 232 species as outlined in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, 1994. The UK has lost 50 per cent of what the country had in the 1930s, and ancient woodland now accounts for just 2.4% of our land area, a loss fuelled by the fashion for planting fast growing conifers in an industrial age. Once destroyed, it cannot be recreated with new planting.

Right lines Charter
The Woodland Trust is a signatory of the Right Lines Charter which states: 'High Speed Rail proposals need to be designed from the start to avoid significant adverse impacts on the natural environment… (including biodiversity, landscape, tranquility and access) during construction and operation.'