High Speed Rail – HS2

What is the HS2?

Proposed high speed rail line Links London to Birmingham in just 50

minutesCould potentially stretch to Manchester,

Leeds, Edinburgh and central Scotland.

Loss of Wildlife and Habitats

Direct Destruction of habitats, anxiety of physical processes, loss of ecosystems functions.

Indirect Habitat isolation, population viability reduced, change in hierarchies of species, increased competition between remaining habitats.

Cumulative Irreparable loss of biodiversity.

Synergistic Remaining populations may become increasingly vulnerable due to pressures of disturbance, pollution and disease.

Loss of Wildlife and Habitats

Many mammals present in the Midlands have landscape population dynamics, and the HS2 will prevent their movement around their habitats.

Change, Contest, Response

Change Contest Response

Habitats destroyed, migration occurs

Food supply affected

Import food

Habitats destroyed

Reduced carrying capacity of other organisms

Carbon Emissions

The UK government and HS2 Ltd have both said that HS2 will reduce carbon emissions, however they didn’t take into consideration the following..

Consumption of electricityChange from domestic slots to medium and

long haul flightsLack of consideration of construction impactsImpacts on road transportation

Land Take and Destruction of Homes

The proposed HS2 route would see the destruction of hundreds of homes, businesses and schools.

50 homes in Birmingham Curzon Gate halls of residence (BCU) Water OrtonGilson

Change, Contest, Response

Change Contest Response

Houses demolished to make way for HS2

Residents are left homeless

The govt have offered compensation for residents and/or to build new homes for them, adding to carbon emissions.

References

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/wt-main.live.drupal.precedenthost.co.uk/files/files/A%20Living%20Landscape/HS2%20QA%20TWT%20072011.pdf

http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/high_speed_rail.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl71z1dbfcs&feature=relmfu

http://www.51m.co.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/ch6.pdf

http://www.heart.co.uk/thamesvalley/news/local/hs2-compensation-consultations/