CASE STUDY
CLOSER LOOK:
REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IN THE COLNE VALLEY HS2 HAS BEEN CRITICISED FOR ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS. BUT AT LEAST ONE APPROACH TO LIMITING – AND MITIGATING – HARM HAS RECEIVED A THUMBS UP FROM ENVIRONMENTALISTS
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Soil complexity is a defining characteristic of ancient woodland. These are woodlands that have existed since at least 1600 and have taken centuries to evolve into our richest terrestrial habitats. Typically, they have developed ecological communities of plants and animals that are not found elsewhere, including many of our threatened species. Once vast, they now cover just 2.5 per cent of the UK. Ancient woodland indicator plants include bluebell, primrose, the wild service tree and herb paris. Click the image to see the Woodland Trust video about ancient woodland.
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I M AG E S | H S 2 / A L A M Y / I STO C K
The environmental effects of HS2 are a source of contention. The Woodland Trust says phase 1 will directly affect more than 32 ancient woodlands and indirectly affect another 29 through noise and air pollution. Six have already been felled, according to the trust, and another – Jones’ Hill Wood in Buckinghamshire, which is thought to have inspired Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox – is about to lose 1.7 of its 4.4 hectares. One of the ways HS2’s planners are looking at mitigating this damage is through ‘translocation’ of plants, soils, stumps that can regrow, and dead wood to a nearby location.
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13/04/2021 12:47
