Anti-HS2 protests being held in Bucks today
It is part of a national day of action against HS2
A national day of action is being held against HS2 today (9 September), with protests in Aylesbury, Steeple Claydon and Wendover.
Events are being held along the proposed HS2 line from 9am, where those taking part will be 'calling 9-9-9 on HS2 and declaring an emergency'.
It comes ahead of a Parliamentary debate on Monday (13 September), where a petition, titled "Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation", will be debated.
HS2 Rebellion, in conjunction with groups including Stop HS2 and Stop HS2 North, will be taking part in today's actions, which will include marches, speeches, presentations, and street theatre.
Bradley, an HS2 Rebellion spokesperson, said:
"By their own figures, HS2 will never be carbon neutral in 120 years.
"The recent IPCC report on climate change stated that we have until 2025 (at the latest) to reduce carbon emissions.
"But HS2 will not be finished until the late 2040s and, even in the mid-22nd century, HS2 will still not have helped us to reduce emissions.
"The maths does not add up.
"This week, the government increased national insurance contributions (from 12% to 13.25%) ostensibly to provide an extra £12bn a year for social care.
"By cancelling HS2 – a project which benefits only the rich – the government could make immediate savings of approximately the same amount, without putting further strain on the finances of the working class.
"HS2 is a financial, social and environmental catastrophe.
"This is an emergency and we are calling on Parliament to pull the emergency brakes!"
An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said:
"The construction of HS2 is playing a vital role in Britain’s economic recovery from Covid-19, with over 16,000 people already working on the project, and thousands more jobs supported through HS2’s UK-wide supply chain.
"By providing a cleaner, greener way to travel, HS2 will help cut the number of cars and lorries on our roads, cut demand for domestic flights, and help the country’s push to reduce carbon emissions."