Will construction of HS2 lead to irreversible wildlife impacts in Broadwater Lake?

High-speed rail may result in damaging costs to the wildlife.  Broadwater Lake is inhabited by many species, and the route from London to Birmingham across seven different Wildlife Trust areas threatens over 160 species.  It is an 80-hectare area, which is well known for the variety of wetland birds as well as wintering water birds such as gadwall, great crested grebe, shoveler, and tufted ducks. The construction will lead to disappearance of birds and other wildlife, altering their habitat.

           However, HS2 promises to make the construction and establishment of the train to be as green as possible. They also assure us that the birds and other wildlife will adapt to change, causing them to relocate and possibly come back after the construction has finished.

           Nevertheless, the woodland that may become home to HS2 rail is ancient forest, which is over hundreds of years old and home to many ecological species. This is devastating, because all 30 hectares of woodland would be affected. Even though HS2 authorities promise to follow through with biodiversity offsetting, it comes with many challenges. The greatest factor is that, there is no guarantee that the animals will inhabit the new location as well as they did with Broadwater Lake. Conversely, it diminishes natural resources, because they promise to replace every 5 hectares of woodland for 1 hectare lost. Except, the locals believe the ratio should be 30 hectares to [1]. Implementing biodiversity offsets is a long-term exercise. IUCN (2018), articulates that “Biodiversity offset schemes should be measurable and appropriately implemented, monitored, evaluated and enforced, and take full account of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts, geographically and over time.”

Additionally, the car park for the forest is a home for hedgehogs. Project experts want to transform the car park into a storage area, which will create a danger zone for the nearly extinct hedgehogs.

Many locals as well as the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, have opposed to the HS2. However, as the project is being developed, they are trying to ensure the best possible ecological output, minimizing the negative impacts. Safeguarding the net gains for biodiversity, with improving the scheme. This project will clearly bring loss and damage to wildlife, however many organizations are trying their best to mitigate the outcomes. In Colne Valley Regional Park Panel, Herts Wildlife Trust is working together with other Wildlife Trusts organizations to examine the development of the HS2 scheme as it proceeds into the construction stage. They will emphasize their concerns, and possible improvement opportunities towards ecological performance. These organizations are in contact with HS2 contractors to encourage the design of the bridge, with the aim of reducing wildlife impact [1].

Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve

REFERENCE:

[1] Herts Wildlife Trust (2018). HMWT talks about HS2 on BBC Inside Out | Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. [online] Hertswildlifetrust.org.uk. Available at: http://www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk/news/2017/01/23/hmwt-talks-about-hs2-bbc-inside-out [Accessed 29 Apr. 2018].

[2] IUCN (2018). Biodiversity offsets. [online] IUCN. Available at: https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/biodiversity-offsets [Accessed 29 Apr. 2018].