HIGH COURT ORDER:

Anti-hs2 protesters have been evicted after setting up home along the proposed route of the high-speed line. Around 40 activists have been living at the Cash’s Pit site, in Swynnerton, for around a year, demonstrating against plans to cut down woods for the line.

Enforcement action carried out saw treehouses dismantled and protesters evicted from one of the camps.

Other protesters are able to remain in a second camp, known as Bluebell 2, for the time being - but fencing has been put up around it.

One of the protesters, known as Jim, said: “We have been expecting this day ever since we started the camp on March 27 last year. This morning, without any warning, over 30 to 40 vehicles showed up full of people and have evicted the main Bluebell camp which has been home to most of our people for the last year.” A Staffordshire Police spokeswoman said: “Evictions are a civil matter and the responsibility of the owners of the land, in this case HS2 Ltd. Police officers are required to undertake their core responsibilities to prevent any breach of the peace and to prevent crime and disorder. At this time, no individuals have been arrested.”