Emma Thompson joins stars for HS2 campaign

Warning of ‘environmental disaster’ if rail line project goes ahead

Chris Packham has joined forces with Dame Emma Thompson and Annie Lennox to warn of the “environmental disaster” they say will be caused by the HS2 rail line.

The Springwatch host has launched a short Christmas film called Stand For The Trees, which calls for HS2 to be scrapped and for the protection of 108 ancient woodlands along the line’s proposed route.

The film, directed by Ornette Spenceley, features music by Scottish singer Lennox and a voice-over by Baftawinning actress Dame Emma.

Set in Jones Hill Wood, the woodlands which inspired Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox, it follows an eight-year-old boy who encounters HS2 workers clearing trees close to his home. He decides to decorate one of the area’s ancient trees with a robin from his own Christmas tree, and soon the local community has followed suit and transformed the tree with their decorations.

Packham told the PA news agency: “The project is in no uncertain terms an environmental disaster across many parts of that spectrum.

“Please don’t think that we are saying we don’t want significant investment in different means of transport – we do. But this isn’t it.”

The environmental campaigner said endangered bats, butterflies and barn owls were facing what could be their “last Christmas” if the project is given the green light.

He said: “If this project gets the go-ahead, and I sincerely hope that it doesn’t for so many reasons, you can expect ferocious public opposition to it, and I will be happy to lead that from the environmental perspective.”

Packham and Dame Emma have worked closely with Extinction Rebellion, with both taking part in April’s climate change protests in central London.

Packham said the UK was in a worse position in terms of the environment following Boris Johnson’s landslide win in the general election.

“Yeah, I think we probably are,” he said.

“To be quite honest, I wasn’t terribly impressed with any of the parties’ policies. Some were better than others. There was no doubt about that.

“But ultimately this was an election that was entirely driven by Brexit, and of course Brexit is important – it has an impact of our lives, on our children’s lives. I am not denying that. It’s importance is significantly overshadowed by the problems we face with the environment.”

However, he said a Labour victory would have been only marginally better.

He added: “Equally, had we got a Labour government at the moment we would still have a fight on our hands because their plan was to progress with HS2. I just think we have a bigger and broader one because we have got a Conservative government.”

Annie Lennox has supported the film with an acoustic version of her song Why, produced by Mike Stevens.