Woodland Trust condemns rail chiefs for secrecy over new line

THE Woodland Trust has been told that it cannot see detailed maps for a new railway line between Oxford and Cambridge unless it signs a gagging order, even though the track could cut through five of its sites.

The charity has asked East West Rail (EWR) to view proposals for the central section of the railway, which is likely to pass through ancient woodland.

But EWR is withholding the maps unless the trust signs a non-disclosure agreement promising not to share the details.

Public consultation is currently being held on the project, but the trust claims it is impossible to give an opinion without knowing the full extent of the plans.

Abi Bunker, the trust’s director of conservation and external affairs, said: “Actively withholding information from a public consultation that they know may sway opinion is flawed and inappropriate. We have never been gagged when it comes to standing up for ancient woodland, and we are not about to start now.

“EWR’S decision makes a mockery of the planning process. People cannot understand the impacts, and make an informed decision, if they do not have all the facts.”

The current consultation, which closes on Monday, concerns five route options for the central section of the project that stretches between Bedford and Cambridge.

The charity claims 12 areas of ancient woodland, at least six ancient and veteran trees and five Woodland Trust sites are under threat from this section of the railway.

The project falls under the wider umbrella of the Oxford to Cambridge growth arc, a £5.5 billion scheme to link the two cities with a new transport corridor and one million new homes.

The Government gave permission for the scheme last year, but in February the High Court ruled that Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) could challenge the decision because developers did not carry out a thorough environmental assessment.

The charity claims that the Oxford to Cambridge expressway could be a disaster for wildlife.

Matthew Stanton, of BBOWT, said: “We were forced to bring legal proceedings because the Government has completely ignored European law, which requires a strategic environmental assessment for schemes that impact on the environment such as this.”