‘We will do everything we can to get in the way’
TENSIONS are rising at an HS2 site in Hillingdon as clashes between protesters and security allegedly flared with a rebel being “punched in the face” during coronavirus lockdown.
Anti-HS2 protesters have camped out at the Harvil Road section of the controversial railway project over the last three years and tensions are growing into a bitter battle between the two sides.
Mark Keir, one of the activists, has expressed fears over what he claims is a rising “level of violence” against what he says are peaceful protests at the construction works, some of which are continuing during the pandemic.
The 59-year-old, who stood as the Green Party candidate against Boris Johnson in Uxbridge in the 2017 and 2019 general elections, most recently claims he was punched in the face by an HS2 security contractor.
“I went down on the ground. They lifted me off the ground and I ended up lying down. It was quite a shock,” he said.
The alleged incident, on Friday, May 1, comes as the former gardener described stepping in between a security worker and a fellow protester who he claimed had her phone “smashed out of her hand”, before he took the hit.
Police confirmed officers attended the incident on Harvil Road, Uxbridge, adding: “Officers attended and spoke to two people who said they had been assaulted.
“No arrests were made; enquiries continue.”
Mr Keir, who used to live in West Drayton before moving to the protest site, told the MyLondon the group of protesters have been “thrown across the road”, and “dragged through hedges” despite claiming to be on public road and footpaths. And he claimed HS2 workers and security staff are not wearing adequate PPE or social distancing while carrying out works for the project.
“The first week of lockdown they were ripping up a hedge just alongside the squat and they had up to 60 security and all. They were throwing us across the road... hands on, no masks.
“They just made no attempt to social distance or were aware at all of Covid-19 regulations,” he said.
“Since then we have seen problems of social distancing...they now have PPE, but it’s not actually adequate.”
An HS2 spokesperson would not comment on any active police investigation, but said: “Any allegations of the misconduct of HS2 staff or contractors should be reported to the HS2 enquiries line and, if relevant, the police so it can be investigated properly.
“HS2 employs professional security staff and mandates that all security teams and staff working on the project are part of the Security Industry Authority’s Approved Contractor Scheme and hold valid Security Industry Authority licenses.”
It is understood security officers must meet a vetting requirement to be allowed to work on the project.
And addressing PPE concerns, HS2 bosses say work has been paused at certain sites as contractors are reviewing their ability to work in line with Public Health England advice.
A spokesperson added: “Those sites still working are doing so because they are confident they are operating within Public Health England (PHE) guidelines, and will be monitored and remain under constant review.”
“Our contractors are continuously reviewing their ability to work within Public Health England’s and the Construction Leadership Council ‘s guidelines to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce and the communities in which we are working.”
According to government guidelines, construction workers are entitled to continue working onsite, but they must abide by the rules to do so safely.
Meanwhile, the group of protesters, made up of Extinction Rebellion members and others dedicated to stopping HS2, believe they are on a ticking-time-bomb before bailiffs attempt to turf them out of a garage they are “squatting” in.
The Dews Lane site, previously believed to be a car workshop before HS2 took over the property, has been converted into the group’s living space which Mr Keir said is a “luxury” compared to camping out in mud all winter.
It has been given a DIY makeover with a kitchen, solar power panels for electricity and a compost toilet. And since the lockdown they have handwashing stations and socially distance from friendly faces who come to drop off food donations to keep the protest action going.
A typical day for Mr Keir would be starting early to look out for any approaching bailiffs, before looking at what disruption or protest activity the group can do for the day. He said this could be standing in a gateway or “teasing” security or HS2 workers.
The activists have also been building tree houses across the green land for people to take up residence to stop the felling of trees being able to take place.
“We will do everything we can to get in the way of HS2,” Mark said.
And not even a global pandemic will deter the group from the cause.
“We absolutely believe that HS2 has to be stopped, we are hanging on,” the Aberdeen man stressed.
“For me it is the interaction of corporation and government and Parliament and it has been done in absolute ignorance of democracy. The people are not on board with it, and were not involved in decision making.
“It is destroying our environment, our communities, our businesses, our homes and our ecology.”
HS2 bosses however say the project will create 400,000 contract opportunities and thousands of jobs in the country.
They added: “The Government has given the green light to start building Phase One of HS2. This is an important investment in the UK’s future as we recover from the pandemic.”
But while Mr Keir’s commitment to stop the project still holds, he is wary of catching Covid-19 which would be a “catastrophe” for their mission.
“It’ll be a really terrible situation to be stuck out here and self-isolate...then the other people would be isolating and we won’t be able to do the protest if we all go down with the virus.”
While the activists believe they have rights to stay in the garage, HS2 says the group is “illegally occupying” the garage, and claims it has also tried to access another recently emptied property also owned by HS2.
“As a consequence of their activities security presence in the area has been increased. During the current health crisis, the actions of these individuals have put our workers and the public at risk, and the emergency services under unnecessary strain,” it said.
“HS2 is working with local residents to ensure that access routes in the area remains open and unobstructed by protestor activity.”
Mr Keir has denied the claims as “utter fabrication”, and pointed the finger at HS2 for blocking roads from construction works. It is believed HS2 is working to make sure there are no road blockages to reassure residents during the pandemic.
Mr Keir added: “They say [HS2] we are violent and aggressive, it’s a fabrication. We are not, we are peaceful demonstrators.
“We are here to stand up for democracy...we will not be anything but peaceful.”