MORE than 50 people took part in the Warwickshire-stretch of a 125-mile walk opposing HS2.
Extinction Rebellion and local communities are currently walking along the route to oppose the controversial line.
The group began their walk in Birmingham, stopping at Crackley Woods in Kenilworth along the way before heading to Cubbington Woods.
Extinction Rebellion Warwick District member Chris Phillpott was among those to protest.
He said: “There were about 50 people who had banners and expressed concerns that investing in the HS2 project was a waste of public money which could be spent on the NHS.
“There were also rebels who were annoyed at the destruction of the bio-diversity along the route which would entail the biggest destruction of woodland habitat in Europe.
“Members of Extinction Rebellion Warwick District took part in the march as well as a few local people.”
Also talking part in the march was Matthew Bishop from the Save Cubbington Woods campaign, who has previously walked the route from Cubbington to London.
He said: “We’re marching because we’ve had enough. People have had enough of our government hiding the truth about this project, showing no transparency or accountability. We’ve had enough of our failing democracy, and enough of the continued harm being inflicted on our communities and natural environment.
“That government has carried on with HS2 when we urgently need funding for our health service, our economic recovery and our local transport networks, makes clear where their priorities lie. Building this line is bad for our wildlife, bad for the taxpayer and an assault on our democratic values we hold so dear.”
But HS2 claims the accusations made against it by Extinction Rebellion are incorrect.
A spokeswoman said: “HS2 is already playing a pivotal role in helping Britain’s economic recovery as the country emerges from lockdown, offering more than 400,000 contract opportunities for UK businesses and providing for thousands of jobs right across the country.
“The vast majority of the accusations levelled at HS2 by Extinction Rebellion are inaccurate and some are downright wrong. All leading wildlife organisations agree that climate change is the biggest future threat to wildlife and habitats in the UK. HS2 Ltd is on track to design and build the most sustainable high-speed railway in the world, and we urge environmental groups to help us in getting people out of their cars, off planes and onto low-carbon, greener high speed rail.”
