This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-48351611
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Thousands of HS2 newly planted trees died in drought | Thousands of HS2 newly planted trees died in drought |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Thousands of trees planted along the High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) route will have to be replaced after saplings were not watered in last summer's drought. | Thousands of trees planted along the High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) route will have to be replaced after saplings were not watered in last summer's drought. |
Up to 350,000 saplings have so far been planted near the £56bn train line, but two Warwickshire farmers think up to 80% on their land have died. | Up to 350,000 saplings have so far been planted near the £56bn train line, but two Warwickshire farmers think up to 80% on their land have died. |
HS2 said replacing the dead trees was more "cost effective" than watering them. | HS2 said replacing the dead trees was more "cost effective" than watering them. |
Campaign groups branded it an "environmental disaster." | Campaign groups branded it an "environmental disaster." |
HS2 said the trees died because of last year's hottest summer on record, and it planned to replant them later this year. | HS2 said the trees died because of last year's hottest summer on record, and it planned to replant them later this year. |
A total of seven million new trees - a mix of oak, hazel, dogwood and holly - are being planted to compensate for the loss of woodland as part of the HS2 programme. | A total of seven million new trees - a mix of oak, hazel, dogwood and holly - are being planted to compensate for the loss of woodland as part of the HS2 programme. |
One farmer from Southam estimated about 6,500 of the 8,000 trees on his land had died. | One farmer from Southam estimated about 6,500 of the 8,000 trees on his land had died. |
Another local farmer Derek Hyatt added: "I think there are around 800 trees planted on my land - and if 5% of those trees are alive I'd be quite surprised." | |
"This is an environmental disaster," said Joe Rukin from Stop HS2. | "This is an environmental disaster," said Joe Rukin from Stop HS2. |
"Planting hundreds of thousands of trees up and down the line and allowing them to die because you can't be bothered to water them is almost as big a disaster as causing havoc and destruction over a hundred ancient woodlands to build this project." | "Planting hundreds of thousands of trees up and down the line and allowing them to die because you can't be bothered to water them is almost as big a disaster as causing havoc and destruction over a hundred ancient woodlands to build this project." |
The BBC has asked HS2 for the exact figure of trees that have died in Warwickshire and throughout the line to date. | The BBC has asked HS2 for the exact figure of trees that have died in Warwickshire and throughout the line to date. |
A spokesman said HS2 was "committed to planting seven million trees along the route of HS2 to create a green corridor for wildlife and nature". | A spokesman said HS2 was "committed to planting seven million trees along the route of HS2 to create a green corridor for wildlife and nature". |
"Replacing these plants is more cost effective than transporting significant water quantities in the area, as well as a more ethical use of resources during unseasonable hot weather." | "Replacing these plants is more cost effective than transporting significant water quantities in the area, as well as a more ethical use of resources during unseasonable hot weather." |
Phase one of HS2 is set to open in 2026. | Phase one of HS2 is set to open in 2026. |
Previous version
1
Next version