The cancellation of HS2's northern leg from Birmingham to Manchester may spare 32 ancient woodlands, but the project's environmental impact in the Thames Valley and beyond remains severe and could intensify, according to conservation groups. The decision by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to scrap phase 2b has saved miles of hedgerows and hundreds of ponds, but damage to biodiversity from the existing phase one continues.
The carbon emissions case for HS2 has always been weak, with the project expected to be a net contributor over its 120-year lifespan. Cancelling the northern section undermines hopes for a national high-speed network that could reduce domestic flights. Meanwhile, the ecological toll on phase one—the 140-mile London to West Midlands route—persists, with 25 ancient woodlands already damaged and construction ongoing near Lichfield.
Conservationists argue that HS2's environmental mitigation efforts are insufficient. While the project has reduced the area of ancient woodland destroyed from 29 to 20.6 hectares, critics say compensatory measures like soil translocation and tree planting have often failed. Newly planted trees have died due to lack of watering, and ponds for great-crested newts have dried up.
The Wildlife Trusts' analysis found that HS2 miscalculated its 'no net loss' biodiversity commitment, undervaluing affected habitats and overvaluing new ones. Phase one is causing 7.9 times more nature loss than officially accounted for, the report concluded. HS2 has disputed these findings, calling them 'unreliable' and defending its ecological assessments.
Despite the reprieve for northern woodlands, the environmental damage from HS2 in the Thames Valley and surrounding areas is likely to worsen as construction continues on the remaining sections. Conservationists urge higher standards for mitigation, noting that the government's 'biodiversity net gain' policy should apply more rigorously to major infrastructure projects.
