The Green Party’s opposition to HS2 is opposition to low carbon rail and new public transport. The full HS2 network will remove 4.8m car journeys and 1.2m domestic flights by 2050. Here is our response to Siân Berry’s appearance on Andrew Marr today:
Siân Berry: “the excessive speed”

FACT: The speed of HS2 is integral for the benefits the new railway will bring: providing much-needed rail capacity across the country and helping to improve connectivity in our towns and cities, create jobs and rebalance the UK economy.
Siân Berry: “it’s bypassing city centres”

FACT: HS2 will call at stations in the centre of London, Birmingham, Crewe, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds. HS2 will transform connectivity between our cities and towns, calling at over 25 stations and connecting around 30m people.
Siân Berry: “attacking the ancient woodlands, going through sensitive landscapes”

FACT: 43 of Britain’s 52,000 ancient woodlands will be affected by the HS2 route between London and Crewe, with 80% of the total area of these woodlands remaining intact and untouched by HS2.
See our thread that dispels the myths on ancient woodlands. https://twitter.com/hs2ltd/status/1357679107824304128?s=21
Siân Berry: “these are irreplaceable habitats that didn’t need to be in the firing line”
FACT: We are creating 33 sq kms of new woodland and wildlife habitat - an area over 7 times bigger than Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve. An increase of around 30% compared to what's there now.
HS2’s careful route alignment and tunnels were praised by a Lords Committee who said HS2’s ability to avoid “irreplaceable habitats” was a “remarkable achievement”.
HS2’s budget is spread over 30 years and is less than current annual roads & rail budgets. We'll create 30% more habitat, help decarbonise public transport, better connect Midlands and Northern towns and support 500,000 jobs. Find out the facts and avoid misinformation.
HS2 journey will emit 17 times less carbon than the equivalent domestic flight and 7 times less than a car journey. HS2’s Phase One construction and operation carbon footprint, over 120 years, will emit less carbon than the road network does in 1 month. https://hs2.org.uk/why/carbon/ 
You can follow @HS2ltd.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled:

By continuing to use the site, you are consenting to the use of cookies as explained in our Cookie Policy to improve your experience.