‘We will fight this’
HIGH COURT INJUNCTION BARS PROTESTS AT HS2 SITE IN HAREFIELD
by
BRIAN FARMER & KATHERINE CLEMENTINE
TRANSPORT Secretary Chris Grayling has won a High Court action to “restrain unlawful protest activities” in and around the HS2 construction site near Harvil Road in Harefield.
Lawyers representing Mr Grayling and HS2 bosses asked a judge on Monday February 19 to impose to impose an injunction to stop “unlawful protest” by demonstrators who are opposed to the high-speed rail line running through the Hillingdon woodland area.
Mr Justice Barling agreed to the injunction banning “unlawful protest activities” in and around the construction site, where anti-HS2 campaigners have previously chained themselves to trees.
More than a dozen protesters were at the High Court hearing in London.
One protest leader said it was the first time ministers had taken such legal action in a bid to stop an HS2 protest.
Mark Keir, co-ordinator of the Hillingdon Green Party, said around 50 people were trying to protect wildlife in an area of around 300 acres.
“There are about 2,400 species there,” said Mr Keir outside court before the hearing began.
“We are protecting trees and fauna and flora.
We are protecting a local amenity. It is an area of about 300 acres.
“The protest started in October. There are probably 50 people involved.”
He added: “This is the first time the government has done this in an The injunction prevents protests at work sites attempt to stop an HS2 protest. We will fight this.”
Barrister Tom Roscoe, who represented Mr Grayling and HS2 bosses, told the judge that work at the site had been authorised by the provisions of the 2017 High Speed Rail (London - West Midlands) Act.
“The claimants recognise that HS2 is a controversial project,” he said.
“They also recognise the defendants’ concerns are deeply and genuinely held.
“Their concerns, however, do not justify them taking matters into their own hands or seeking to police matters which are properly the subject of regulation.”
Mr Roscoe said the aim of the injunction was to prevent trespassers disrupting work at the site and to stop vehicles being obstructed.
Sarah Green, one of the named defendants in the hearing, said the judge’s remarks did not mean protesting had to stop and had actually Protestors were evicted from the site on Tuesday last week
left her “encouraged”.
“The injunction stops anyone from trespassing on the land and they have created zones outside their works entrances where activities can’t take place,” she said.
“But we are not going to stop protesting. There are people there on Harvil Road every day and I am just heading there later myself.”
A spokesperson for HS2 said: “The injunction will help us keep our work sites safe. We have a duty to deliver HS2 on time and on budget, and an injunction will help us avoid delays and additional costs to the UK taxpayer.
“Alongside the economic bene- Campaigners outside the Rolls Building, London, as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling launched a High Court action to stop ‘unlawful’ HS2 site protests
fits, HS2 will deliver a new ‘green corridor’ made up of woodland, wildlife habitats and amenity facilities, designed to blend the line into the landscape and leave a lasting legacy of high quality green spaces all along the route. ON MOST CARPETS
“We understand that people feel strongly about the impact the project will have on their community, and that they want us to hear their views.
“That is why we offer numerous channels through which they can make their feelings understood.”