Ecology

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HS2 has made a commitment to ensure no net loss of biodiversity as a result of constructing the new railway. To help ensure this, many new habitats will be created along the line of the HS2 route. They are part of an unprecedented conservation project, which will see a green corridor of connected wildlife habitats created alongside the railway, including up to seven million new trees and shrubs route-wide, as well as wetland, ponds, heathland and grasslands. A significant proportion of these sites will be created in Warwickshire to support protected species including bats, great crested newts, badgers, and reptiles as well as locally important bird, plant and invertebrate species. Green bridges will also be constructed at six locations in Warwickshire to allow animals to cross the route safely.

The first of these areas of habitats in Warwickshire have already been planted with more under construction and include;

We will also be protecting and improving existing areas of important habitats close to the route. This includes managing of areas of ancient woodland to remove invasive plant species and improvement to the diversity of the woodland.

For more information, please click on the links below:

Green Corridor Information Paper

Green Bridges Information Paper

Alongside improving connectivity, boosting the economy and unlocking new jobs and opportunities, we want to make sure HS2 also works for the environment and local communities. We plan to deliver a ‘green corridor’ consisting of new wildlife habitats, native woodlands and community spaces to help integrate the new railway into its surrounding landscape and environment.

At a local level, new wildlife habitats ranging from badger setts to bat houses will support animals affected by the construction of HS2. In many cases we’ll be able to leave behind bigger and better habitats than what’s already there. We’ll also have a responsible approach to natural resources, with most of the material we excavate for tunnels and cuttings being used as part of our earthworks. Ultimately, the green corridor should be able to support delicately balanced ecosystems running through the spine of the country.

As the corridor takes shape, there will be opportunities for local people to get involved. This includes the delivery of locally-led environmental projects, supported by HS2’s community funds .

You can find out more in our leaflet .

Work at the Finham Brook site in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, started in August 2017, which included the creation of six new ponds as well as new woodlands featuring over 6,200 trees and shrubs. It’s expected to be completed by the end of the year. The new habitats will support local wildlife species ranging from birds to great crested newts. They are part of an unprecedented conservation project, which will see a green corridor of connected wildlife habitats created alongside the railway, including up to seven million new trees and shrubs, as well as wetland, ponds, heathland and meadow.

This is an example of a reptile basking bank at Finham Brook, which includes spaces for animals to hibernate within it.

You can read about the £5 million fund to support the creation and restoration of woodlands in areas ranging from London to the West Midlands, as part of HS2’s ongoing ecology programme by visiting the news alert in the latest news feed .

CASE STUDY: Avon Wood Warwickshire

Avon Wood in Warwickshire is an 11 hectare site, owned by David Harding. This site is three miles away from the line of HS2’s new railway. David was relatively new to forestry and employed a Chartered Forester to help in his application and the delivery of the new woodland.

David applied to the HS2 Woodland Fund in January 2018, and has since planted 18,100 trees in total, with 23 native trees sourced from local nurseries and seven shrub species. 30% of the woodland is Oak, with other major species being Hornbeam, Alder, Beech, Lime, Holly and Birch. A river with a 500m frontage runs along one side of the site, with mainly Willow planted in this area. The site also borders a road, so a variety of trees have been planted here to give more colour, including Cherry, Maple and Whitebeam.

David’s plan over the next three years is mostly about protecting the saplings to enable them to become established, but he is also developing longer term goals for the land too. These include setting up a governance structure so he can be sure the woodlands will be managed far into the future. In addition to this, David will be involving local schools from the surrounding community to learn about nature and sustainability, and intends to explore whether the woodlands can help endangered species.

If you have any questions or comments please contact HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk or call 08081 434 434 and refer to "HS2 in Warwickshire".