Faye Brown Wednesday 27 Jan 2021 2:49 pm. He and others inside the tunnel blamed work on the surface for causing the internal collapse. He said that if this was connected with any HS2 actions it could put lives at risk, and that if anything went wrong the activists would be unable to quickly vacate the tunnel. The protesters, who have been underground for more than three weeks, are trying to stop HS2's plans to replace the green space outside Euston station in central London with a temporary taxi rank. Read about our approach to external linking. “From my experience I would say the eviction is the most dangerous part of the process. This article is more than 1 month old. In September, members of HS2 Rebellion set up a Tree Protection Camp in Euston Square Gardens in central London to protest against the £106bn scheme. The 16-year-old, who is said to be the youngest protester taking part, is the son of 47-year-old veteran activist Dan Hooper. A spokeswoman for HS2 said tunnel protests were "costly to the taxpayer". Packham loses bid for legal challenge over HS2. An HS2 protester has said she is prepared to stay in the tunnels beneath Euston Square Gardens for weeks. Meanwhile, a spokesman for HS2 Rebellion said up to 25 anti-HS2 campaigners have entered the main HS2 site near Euston station and occupied buildings, diggers, a crane and other machinery. 04 May 2020. Activists say the tunnel - codenamed "Kelvin" - is their "best defence" against being evicted. HS2: Swampy's teenage son leaves Euston tunnels after 22 days underground. A geography lecturer who spent nearly four weeks underground as part of the Euston protests against HS2 finally left the tunnel today after bailiffs confiscated his food and belongings. HS2 Rebellion activists burrowed into the ground to halt their eviction from the Tree Protection Camp in Euston Square Gardens, which they set up in September to protest the £100billion rail project. An injunction has been won against protesters who have occupied a site close to London’s Euston station, the company developing the national high-speed railway has said. Share. Network Rail, which owns the land, has been approached for a comment about the tunnel. By . The activists say HS2’s eviction techniques are putting their lives at risk while HS2 blames the protesters and the way the tunnel has been constructed for putting their own lives at risk. The HS2 Rebellion group claimed the … HS2 has today shut Euston Square Gardens – between Euston Station and Euston Road – to use as a compound for its construction work. To act as a deterrent warning the authorities that should they decide to evict, then it will hurt them where for them it hurts most - in the pocket.". They need to help us make the tunnel safe. One activist issued an urgent appeal for help just after 4pm on Friday from inside the tunnel, saying things were getting worse very quickly. The latest climate change activist to leave the Euston protest site on Monday was 46-year-old Scotty, also known as Digger Down. Environmental protesters blocked HS2’s construction site in Euston as part of ongoing demonstrations against the project. Thursday January 28, 2021, 10:15 AM . They also increase the risk to the high court enforcement officers specialist tunnelling team, who have been engaged to safely remove them.” They did not comment on the claim that the eviction team have prevented protesters from removing soil and water from the tunnels. 'This could be the tipping point': HS2 activist 'Swampy' on Euston tunnel protest – video. HS2: Teenage protester says she learned more in Euston tunnels than at school. Close. In September, members of HS2 Rebellion set up a Tree Protection Camp in Euston Square Gardens in central London to protest against the £106bn scheme. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Police officers work to clear an HS2 protest camp outside Euston station in London. HS2 protesters say conditions in Euston tunnel are deteriorating. Share this article via facebook … Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told MPs in September that the first phase of the high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham would not open until 2028 at the earliest. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. HS2 protesters dig tunnel to avert Euston eviction. In a video on Friday afternoon Dan Hooper, known as Swampy, said liquid mud had been pouring in not only when it rained overnight but since the rain had stopped. Many of the activist occupiers of the land are known to us from previous protest activity, and we can expect little cooperation from some of these individuals.”. “Due to the activists’ inexperience, they are exposing themselves to significant risk by being in the tunnel. Earlier he had told journalists via video that the tunnellers had had a chance to sleep for a couple of hours on Thursday after a previous sleepless night due to HS2 contractors continually working. HS2 is set to link London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. Accusations and counter-accusations are flying between the protesters and the HS2 eviction team. An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: “HS2 has today successfully sought injunctions which apply to the remaining illegal trespassers in crudely constructed tunnels under Euston Square Gardens. 31 January, 2021 — By Tom Foot and Bronwen Weatherby. WEST END FINAL. Luke O'Reilly. In a statement on Thursday, National Eviction Team, the HS2 contractors dealing with the eviction, said: “The National Eviction Team has been engaged to lawfully remove activists from Euston Gardens. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare', Army of volunteers restore lost photos after tsunami, How eating online is bringing women freedom. Police led one HS2 demonstrator away on a stretcher after they protested at Euston Station earlier today. Anti-HS2 protesters create new tunnel 2 miles north of Euston Two HS2 protesters arrested after leaving tunnels near Euston Euston tunnel protest: … HS2 sources have denied any of their actions are putting the activists’ lives at risk. In the 1990s it was one of the ways that pushed environmental concerns into the headlines and changed perceptions. Activists tell of oxygen shortage, five internal collapses and an influx of liquid mud at London site, Last modified on Fri 29 Jan 2021 14.36 EST. An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: “HS2 has today successfully sought injunctions which apply to the remaining illegal trespassers in crudely constructed tunnels under Euston Square Gardens. Euston Tunnel HS2 Protesters can continue to evict, determine rules | HS2; What time is the Prime Minister’s speech today on Wednesday, February 10th? Swampy LEAVES anti-HS2 protest tunnels: Veteran eco-warrior and two others are arrested after ending 30 day stay underground in Euston leaving just one protester behind . Dr Larch Maxey, who is among the group of activists who have spent more than a week beneath Euston Square Gardens, said bailiffs had begun “drilling” to remove another environmental campaigner from a “lock-on” at the bottom of a down shaft. Read about our approach to external linking. 30/01/2021. Anti-HS2 protesters have been digging under Euston park for four months. Close. A geography lecturer who spent nearly four weeks underground as part of the Euston protests against HS2 finally left the tunnel today after bailiffs confiscated his food and belongings. VideoHow eating online is bringing women freedom. Follow. After the High Court ruling, HS2 said the environmental campaigners who are still holed up in a tunnel in central London should leave “immediately” or potentially face a fine, up to two years in prison or both. They are protesting against the construction of HS2, the high-speed rail link that, if constructed, will come into Euston station. The ninth and final activist has left a tunnel near Euston station that was dug in protest at the HS2 rail project. Prioritise northern railways over HS2, says report, HS2: Anger, frustration versus promises of progress, Met under pressure to explain âdeeply disturbingâ scenes at Sarah Everard vigil, Hundreds gather to honour Sarah Everard on Clapham Common, Candles lit on doorsteps to remember Sarah Everard, Shock and anger at Met response to Sarah Everard vigil in Clapham, Police criticised for âdeeply disturbingâ clashes at Sarah Everard vigil, Met officer remanded in custody over Sarah Everard death, Information about BBC links to other news sites, Protest to mark police killing of Breonna Taylor. Share this article via facebook … WEST END FINAL. Faye Brown Wednesday 27 Jan 2021 2:49 pm. Published 26 January. 4 min read. One of the HS2 Rebellion group tells Sky News they had between "13 to 17 protesters in the tunnel". One former tunnel protester, Martin Porter, said: “As someone who did this in the dim and distant past, and was once Dan Hooper’s neighbour under what is now Manchester airport’s second runway, I have the highest respect for anyone who puts their life on the line for the planet in this way. Video, 00:00:35 HS2 protesters dig ‘secret tunnel’ near Euston. However, HS2 bosses have said seven million trees will be planted during phase one of the project and that much ancient woodland will "remain intact". The first protest tunnel goes back to the M11 and 1993 but they only really developed during the Newbury Bypass protests in 1996. An injunction has been won against protesters who have occupied a site close to London’s Euston station, the company developing the national high-speed railway has said. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email. The campaign group alleges HS2 is the "most expensive, wasteful and destructive project in UK history" and that it is "set to destroy or irreparably damage 108 ancient woodlands and 693 wildlife sites". The anti-HS2 tunnel protest close to Euston station in central London has finally ended after the ninth climate activist emerged from underground. Will it reframe HS2 so it will be seen in the same way as fracking or road building? Share page. The Cakehole tunnels at Manchester airport stood for nearly five months without any problems before the evictions, but after only a week of trying to get people out the walls started cracking and there was a partial cave in.”, Swampy is back, in the protest tunnels under Euston. Protest below Euston Gardens was fast approaching the longest in UK history HS2 said it has now removed 'all nine illegal trespassers in the tunnels safely' By Tom Pyman For Mailonline FBI identifies suspect in death of Capitol police officer during Trump riot. The eviction team will probably be pumping oxygen into the tunnels, but as this air is dry it dries out the tunnel walls. Police were seen escorting protesters away earlier today, including one man seen being carried from the building in a stretcher. Police spent more than £140,000 guarding HS2 protesters' tunnels in Euston All HS2 protestors now removed from underground tunnels in London Anti-HS2 activist charged over underground tunnel protests Luke O'Reilly. The anti-HS2 protesters spent the night in Euston Square Gardens surrounded by police officers and eviction squads. The 17-year-old told Sky News that "education matters for nothing on a dead planet". Meanwhile, a spokesman for HS2 Rebellion said up to 25 anti-HS2 campaigners have entered the main HS2 site near Euston station and occupied buildings, diggers, a crane and other machinery. “It will take time, careful planning and the work of skilled personnel to resolve the situation in a safe and controlled manner. They have made this an urgent situation. The activists have been underground since Tuesday night in a network of tunnels dug over several months beneath Euston Square. She added: "These are a danger to the safety of the protesters, HS2 staff, High Court enforcement officers and the general public, as well as putting unnecessary strain on the emergency services during the pandemic. They claim the tunnel is 100ft (30m) long and has taken two months to dig. “Let’s resume by Easter or risk big unemployment,” says the holiday park operator. One protester, identified only as Blue, told the BBC: "It is all very dangerous and life-threatening but it is all worth it. HS2 protests: Bailiffs remove activists from central London trees and hand them over to police. Police officers work to clear an HS2 protest camp outside Euston station in London. Today, HS2 Ltd failed to rip up the trees and hedgerows they had planned to at Steeple Claydon, following... 29-Apr-2019 News. Tunnelling in particular as a direct action slows down developers and it is expensive to dig out protesters safely. Melvyn, Canvey Island , Essex. HS2 Rebellion protesters block Euston building site entrance of controversial new high speed rail line. It is hoped the 20-year project will reduce rail passenger overcrowding and help to rebalance the UK's economy. An HS2 Ltd spokesman said: “HS2 has today successfully sought injunctions which apply to the remaining illegal trespassers in crudely constructed tunnels under Euston Square Gardens. Environmental activists behind the anti-HS2 protest near Euston Station have opened up a new front by digging a tunnel in a bid to block the destruction of trees two miles away in Islington. The eviction team say they are using air compressors to circulate the air inside the tunnels and monitor air conditions. The protesters, who have been underground for more than three weeks, are trying to stop HS2’s plans to replace the green space outside the central London station with a temporary taxi rank. STOP HS2 - The national campaign against High Speed Rail 2. No Business case, No environmental case, No money to pay for it. ", The 18-year-old added: "We want to be as safe as possible. close. There are people living in trees for the Stop HS2 protest Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 protests have been happening at Euston and various other locations. Bailiffs today began evicting anti-HS2 protesters who secretly dug a 100ft tunnel network under a makeshift camp near London's Euston Station with the help of veteran activist Swampy. They say they are also assessing how close the tunnels run to pipes and cables. HS2 Rebellion's Swampy 'could be buried alive' at Euston protest Paul Fromant . Police were seen escorting protesters away earlier today, including one man seen being carried from the building in a stretcher. Tunnelling as a form of environmental protest has a long history in the UK. Police were seen escorting protesters away earlier today, including one man seen being carried from the building in a stretcher. HS2 protesters dig ‘secret tunnel’ near Euston. Protest tunnels against the A30 in Devon and Manchester Airport's second runway then followed. 5 months ago Section BBC News. Hiding in the tunnel, which they dug out beneath Euston Square Gardens, has prevented HS2 from evicting them. Second HS2 protester arrested after leaving Euston tunnels 'Me and my tunnelling friends are choosing to protect lives by means of protest', anti-HS2 activist Lazer Sandford says We haven’t got the air supply.” He said the eviction team were preventing the tunnellers from clearing soil and water from the tunnel, which was making it very dangerous. Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's top stories direct to your inbox. "Safety is our first priority when taking possession of land and removing illegal encampments.". EU closes ranks over Covid surge and vaccine delays, Hungry, angry and fleeing horrors in Mozambique, Met criticised over Sarah Everard vigil policing1, Racist slur overheard as basketball players kneel2, How a woman's death sparked UK soul-searching3, Actress stages naked protest at 'French Oscars'4, Minibus carrying Argentina's president is attacked5, Italy tightens Covid restrictions amid 'new wave'7, Scientists unlock mysteries of ancient 'computer'8, Moscow police detain 200 people at opposition forum9, 'We paid off our parents' mortgage making video games'10. Or can the argument still be made that it is a low-carbon form of travel even though it does cause some destruction of habitat? HS2 tunnel protests: Activists in Euston camp will ‘not be coming out any time soon’, demonstrator says. The young black medic was shot dead when police raided her home in Louisville, Kentucky, a year ago. Larch Maxey, one of the activists in the tunnel, said: “HS2 are endangering our lives yet again. It is not about us martyring ourselves, it is about delaying and stopping HS2.". The Metropolitan Police spent more than £140,000 responding to the Euston HS2 tunnels protest mounted by Swampy and others (Picture: PA) The anti-HS2 protests in the Euston … HS2 tunnel protests: Activists in Euston camp will ‘not be coming out any time soon’, demonstrator says. Eight campaigners have left the underground tunnels in total, reportedly leaving just one behind. Anti-HS2 protesters have come face-to-face with bailiffs in tunnels dug near Euston station in London, as efforts to evict them continue. Published 26 January. UN Peace Envoy Jane Goodhall Joins the Fight Against HS2. Enforcement agents at the makeshift protest camp in Euston, London. We have seen tunnels more recently in 2017 in Coldharbour in Surrey in a protest against fracking so it's not a massive surprise we are seeing tunnels again. “Mr Justice Mann recognised that the activists have put themselves and those working to extract them, in “grave danger”. 4 min read. HS2 protest: Activists refuse to budge from tunnels and tree houses in Euston. HS2: One protester left in Euston underground tunnels after Swampy leaves. In one of the environmental protesters' tunnelling guides, written by "Disco Dave", it says: "In the world of NVDA (non-violent direct action) there are few defence tactics that can compare with the protest tunnel. Anti-HS2 protesters have been digging under Euston park for four months. 5 months ago Who truly was the most dishonest president? After the High Court ruling, HS2 said the environmental campaigners who are still holed up in a tunnel in central London should leave “immediately” or potentially face a fine, up to two years in prison or both. A makeshift protest camp at Euston station. By BBC London's transport correspondent Tom Edwards. Meanwhile, a spokesman for HS2 Rebellion said up to 25 anti-HS2 campaigners have entered the main HS2 site near Euston station and occupied buildings, diggers, a crane and other machinery. 04 May 2020. Security guards drag HS2 protesters out of Euston Square Gardens. Video, How eating online is bringing women freedom, Met criticised over Sarah Everard vigil policing, Racist slur overheard as basketball players kneel, Actress stages naked protest at 'French Oscars', Minibus carrying Argentina's president is attacked, Italy tightens Covid restrictions amid 'new wave', Scientists unlock mysteries of ancient 'computer', Moscow police detain 200 people at opposition forum, 'We paid off our parents' mortgage making video games', would not open until 2028 at the earliest. 30/01/2021. Transport. What will be interesting is if these tunnels have the same impact on HS2 as they did on the road-building programme of the late 1990s. 0:35. Packham loses bid for legal challenge over HS2, HS2 construction gets green light despite lockdown, HS2 should proceed, says government review. Disco Dave wrote: "That ultimately is the purpose of tunnels and tree houses. HS2 Rebellion's Swampy 'could be buried alive' at Euston protest Paul Fromant . © 2021 BBC. HS2 protesters climb onto office block next to Euston. London. Sometimes it seems that HS2 is its own worst enemy given that they built a temporary taxi rank at tge western end of the gardens and now work to build a link to Euston Square Station is to begin they are moving the taxi rank to the eastern end. In their attempts to delay their removal, unlawful occupiers have occupied a crudely dug tunnel on the land. Environmental protesters inside the tunnel close to Euston station in London say conditions are deteriorating with a shortage of oxygen, five internal tunnel collapses and an influx of liquid mud. Not only did they make household names of environmental campaigners like "Swampy" but they arguably changed transport policy - road-building reduced massively. Published 26 January. Dangerous, laborious and time consuming, tunnelling is the ultimate and desperate tactic of desperate people in desperate times.". The second phase, to Manchester and Leeds, was due to open in 2032-33 but that has been pushed back to 2035-40. HS2 protesters dig tunnel to thwart Euston eviction. HS2. 15 January, 2018 — By Tom Foot. There are people living in trees for the Stop HS2 protest Extinction Rebellion and Stop HS2 protests have been happening at Euston and various other locations. FBI identifies suspect in death of Capitol police officer during Trump riot. They claim the tunnel is … Even when HS2 Phase 1 is completed. HS2 protesters evicted by police after building 100ft tunnel network under Euston station park Save Gareth Davies, Breaking News Editor 27 January 2021 • 10:02am. Protesters have been underground since Tuesday night. The Metropolitan Police spent more than £140,000 responding to the Euston HS2 tunnels protest mounted by Swampy and others (Picture: PA) The anti-HS2 protests in the Euston … HS2 Rebellion protesters block Euston building site entrance of controversial new high speed rail line. 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare' Video, 'We women are pushed out of work because of childcare', How eating online is bringing women freedom. Environmental protesters inside the tunnel close to Euston station in London say conditions are deteriorating with a shortage of oxygen, five internal tunnel collapses and an influx of liquid mud. media caption One protester said: "This is the only way I … About sharing. People campaigning against the HS2 rail project have dug a tunnel near Euston station, in a bid to prevent their eviction from a protest camp.