{"id":93159,"date":"2018-06-25T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=028386483fe3514402d3a31a890c76a6"},"modified":"2018-06-25T07:30:00","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T07:30:00","slug":"press-release-hs2-launches-plans-for-unprecedented-green-corridor-stretching-alongside-the-railway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=93159","title":{"rendered":"Press release: HS2 launches plans for unprecedented \u2018green corridor\u2019 stretching alongside the railway"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"govspeak\">\n<p>The scale of planned works will be largest ever undertaken by an infrastructure project in the UK, with a network of environmental projects stretching from London to the North of England.<\/p>\n<p>Along the Phase One route, which covers 216km from London to the West Midlands, the green corridor will encompass:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>7 million new trees and shrubs, including over 40 native species, specific to each location. The new native woodlands will cover over 9 square kilometres of land.<\/li>\n<li>Over 33 square kilometres of new and existing wildlife habitat \u2013 equating to an area the size of 4,600 football pitches. That\u2019s an increase of around 30% compared to what\u2019s there now.<\/li>\n<li>Tailor-made homes for wildlife, ranging from bat houses to 226 new ponds for great crested newts and other amphibians.<\/li>\n<li>Earthworks and landscaping which will re-use around 90% of the material excavated during construction.<\/li>\n<li>The potential to support community projects and develop amenity spaces such as access routes, public parks, open spaces and nature reserves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Work on the pioneering initiative is expected to set new standards for how Britain and the rest of Europe builds the next generation of major infrastructure projects.<\/p>\n<p>As the corridor is being delivered, HS2 is encouraging local people and organisations to get involved in everything from landscape design to tree planting. This includes supporting local environmental projects through its various community funds.<\/p>\n<p>In a related announcement today, the government confirmed a \u00a32 million extension to the HS2 Woodland Fund, so it can cover Phase 2a of the railway, from the West Midlands to Crewe. The fund is designed to help landowners near to the route directly create new native, broadleaf woodlands and restore existing ancient woodland sites. This is in addition to the extensive \u2018green corridor\u2019 plans and community funds that are already in place along the wider route.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Thurston, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Alongside improving connectivity, boosting the economy and unlocking new jobs and opportunities, I\u2019m determined to ensure that HS2 also works for the environment and local communities.<\/p>\n<p>This starts by doing everything we can to reduce our environmental footprint and minimise the expected impact of our construction work. Longer-term, we\u2019ll be leaving behind a network of new wildlife habitats, woodlands, and community spaces, helping to create a lasting legacy along the route.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">We\u2019ve already got to work by supporting a range of community projects and creating a series of new habitats, including planting over 230,000 trees so far. We\u2019ll be calling on local people and organisations to get involved as the \u2018green corridor\u2019 starts to take shape.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Nusrat Ghani, HS2 Minister, said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Our unique and beautiful countryside is one of our nation\u2019s greatest assets. As we deliver the new high speed railway our country needs, for economic growth and better journeys for passengers, it is imperative we set a new standard for preserving, protecting and enhancing our diverse woodlands and wildlife.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">HS2\u2019s Green Corridor is one of the most significant tree-planting and habitat creation projects ever undertaken in this country. To support that vision, the government is providing an additional \u00a32 million for the Woodland Fund, to support native species and help more people enjoy more new green spaces than before.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The appearance of the green corridor will be tailored to the surrounding environment, with native tree species used to ensure that the new woodlands reflect the unique landscape and ecology of the different regions the line passes through.<\/p>\n<p>As the corridor is gradually delivered, HS2 is encouraging local people and organisations to get involved. This includes supporting local environmental projects, through its various funds including the \u00a345m Community &amp; Environment Fund and Business &amp; Local Economy Fund.<\/p>\n<p>Full details are covered in HS2\u2019s official <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hs2.org.uk\/building-hs2\/environment-sustainability\/hs2-green-corridor\/\">\u2018More Than a Railway\u2019 booklet and animation<\/a>, both available on its website today.<\/p>\n<div class=\"contact \" id=\"contact_2357\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<h3>Press and media enquiries<\/h3>\n<div class=\"vcard contact-inner\">\n<div class=\"email-url-number\">\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">For enquiries during office working hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm<\/span><br \/>\n              020 7944 6149\n            <\/p>\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">For enquiries outside of these hours and at the weekend<\/span><br \/>\n              020 7944 0550\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"comments\">The press and media enquiries line is for accredited journalists only<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HS2 set out plans to deliver a \u2018green corridor\u2019 consisting of new wildlife habitats, native woodlands and community spaces to help integrate the new line into its surrounding landscape and environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93159"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=93159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/93159\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=93159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=93159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=93159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}