2021-04-29 HS2 resumes felling ancient woodland at Jones Hill Wood
40 images Created 29 Apr 2021
Wendover, UK. 28th April, 2021. Tree surgeons working on behalf of HS2 Ltd fell ancient woodland at Jones Hill Wood in the Chilterns AONB as part of preparatory works for the HS2 high-speed rail link. Felling of the woodland, which contains resting places and/or breeding sites for pipistrelle, barbastelle, noctule, brown long-eared and natterer’s bats and is said to have inspired Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr Fox, has recommenced after a High Court judge refused environmental campaigner Mark Keir permission to apply for judicial review and lifted an injunction on felling.
Ecologists are seen carrying out some checks for bat activity prior to felling and a large mechanical digger and caterpillar truck are used to remove topsoil for what is believed to be HS2's 'soil translocation' process.
The UK is one of the least wooded areas of Europe, with only 11.7% of woodland cover as compared to 44% for Europe as a whole.
Ancient woodlands are the most precious of woodlands. They date from at least AD 1600 and have since developed irreplaceable, complex ecosystems.
Activists from HS2 Rebellion continue to oppose the felling of the ancient woodland, as well as the controversial HS2 infrastructure project itself, from a protection camp based within the area of Jones Hill Wood not compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.
Ecologists are seen carrying out some checks for bat activity prior to felling and a large mechanical digger and caterpillar truck are used to remove topsoil for what is believed to be HS2's 'soil translocation' process.
The UK is one of the least wooded areas of Europe, with only 11.7% of woodland cover as compared to 44% for Europe as a whole.
Ancient woodlands are the most precious of woodlands. They date from at least AD 1600 and have since developed irreplaceable, complex ecosystems.
Activists from HS2 Rebellion continue to oppose the felling of the ancient woodland, as well as the controversial HS2 infrastructure project itself, from a protection camp based within the area of Jones Hill Wood not compulsorily purchased by HS2 Ltd.
