How are social activist responding to the new HS2?

HS2 can be seen in many different lights. However, the negative factors seem to be more predominant by destroying homes, firms, loss of biodiversity, affecting the environment et cet era. Therefore, social activists are not happy with these results after undertaking their own research and concluding HS2 isn’t positive. Firstly, websites such as ‘stophs2.org’ are being created. This website’s main ideas is that HS2 means “No Business, No Environment and No Money”. It post different articles about how it is destroying the environment, gives ideas on how you can help stop HS2 by writing to the Transport secretary and it allows you to also donate to the group so it can make more leaflets on the detrimental effects of HS2. Firstly, It shows pictures of a canal which collapses into a Sinkhole near the proposed HS2 route. Furthermore, these activists go on to discuss how the ground conditions aren’t good and thereby this route will also not be a good fit. (2) 

There is also a ‘Cubbington Action Group’ which is against HS2. Volunteers of these groups are organizing walks around South Cubbington Wood to see anemones, bluebells, or a famous pear tree in bloom. This will also be destroyed if construction for HS2 begins next year as proposed. This groups aim is to protect the environment and all these flowers which will no longer be seen and this can create awareness on the effects of HS2 and save on the natural beauty of the forests and environment that can never be replaced.(1) 

There have also been many protests against HS2 at Colne Valley Park. These protestors are coming with signs which say “Nobody wants HS2” and Banners quoting “Cancel HS2 Immediately”. They want members of the public to sign and share the petition to the United Kingdom Parliament to stop this project. It has gone as far that; since, October 2017 there have been around 31 incidents where protestors have put locks to machinery or trees and attached it to themselves in order to try to obstruct the cutting of trees in the Denham Country Park. This idea portrays how far some are willing to go to ensure that they can slow down the project and eliminate it completely and also to draw some attention to the project. However, The Transport secretary in the United Kingdom, Chris Grayling was successful in his appeal to the court to put an injunction on all unlawful protests. However, this does not necessarily mean activists can no longer protest on the construction site. It just means they are limited to the types they can do. (3) 

These campaigns, petitions and protests are being done to create awareness to the public so more members can join and their solidarity becomes stronger and also to send a message to HS2 and the government that they believe HS2 will not work and why it won’t work and this message seems to slowly be portraying. For example, Sir Kevin Barron, a member of parliament, who first supported HS2 for many years is now changing sides and says he will no longer be giving HS2 a second reading and he believes that the money can be used for something else and has no confidence in this project. (3) 




REFERENCE: 

(1) StopHS2. (2018). Spring flower walks in Cubbington: last chance before HS2! Available at StopHS2.org 


(2) Joe. (2018). HS2 – On Even Shakier Ground. Available at StopHS2.org 

(3) Joe. (2018). HS2 – Grayling wins fight to stop some protests from some protestors at Colne Valley. Available at StopHS2.org