The Government announced in late 2023 that parts of HS2 will now not be built. But we can see on the ground that works are still ongoing. At the same time, HS2 Ltd has a history of ignoring concerns from communities and has dismissed environmental expertise along the route.

Your stories are our most powerful tool in proving the need for better communication.

Local people often tell us about witnessing bad practice by contractors and negative impacts on local wildlife, or that they feel consultations and surveys do little to alleviate concerns. We are also aware of works taking place on parts of the route which has apparently been stopped. 

At the same time, Wildlife Trusts hear stories of broken trust, breached licences, and damage to protected sites that could have been avoided. We've highlighted potential wildlife crimes to the Government and supported complaints to the police. Most people tell us that it's hard to know where best to report issues to HS2 Ltd and when they do make complaints, they simply don't feel heard.

It is critical that nature does not suffer any more than it already has been because of HS2. Now more than ever we all need clarity and HS2 Ltd needs to take nature groups’ and local communities’ vast knowledge and experience of local wildlife seriously.

HS2 Ltd must:

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Confirm exactly what is happening, and the impacts of ongoing works  - and why it is happening - in local areas 

🌳  Listen to and work with nature experts. More active listening and genuine dialogue with experts like Wildlife Trusts is critical, especially as Phase 1 construction ramps up and Phase 2 plans are being developed. 

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Give local people and communities along the route better, more effective ways to engage in planning and design, to raise concerns and to report breaches of licences or other permissions.

Share your HS2 news and experiences 

Help us build an overwhelming body of evidence HS2 Ltd can’t ignore, by sharing your experience of how HS2 is impacting locally, and how HS2 has already affected wildlife on the ground.

Sharing your stories builds strength in our demands for better communication, and this also helps us challenge HS2 Ltd and MPs in both local conversations and high level meetings.