Council Leader sees how wildlife is thriving at HS2 site

Earlier this month, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst was given a tour by HS2 and the Align joint venture, who are delivering the central section of HS2, on how wildlife and biodiversity was already flourishing at the South Portal site as part of the project’s commitment to rewild the 127-hectare construction site once it has completed.

This will involve seeding a chalk grassland, equivalent to the size of 126 football pitches, mixing into re-instated, low nutrient subsoils to encourage the establishment of a biodiverse chalk downland. Underlying the new grasslands is chalk excavated from the Chiltern Tunnels, and recycled concrete and aggregates from construction works, which will provide a calcareous base for the chalk-loving grassland species growing above.

New areas of woodland, wood pasture and wetlands have also been created and will include almost 65,000 trees and shrubs of 32 species and nearly 3.5km of new hedgerows within the Colne Valley Western Slopes. Around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes will give the public access to large parts of the site, which sits between the Colne Valley Regional Park and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: “I was very impressed to see that some wildlife is already calling the new chalk grassland their home. Once this wonderful habitat fully blossoms and as HS2 continue to dismantle their operation, I’m excited to spot even more species, including rare orchids and invertebrates, at the site.

“As a majority of the site sits within Three Rivers and we, as a council, take our green agenda very seriously, it’s important that our wildlife also benefit from the HS2 project. We will continue to work in partnership to ensure the project is a win-win for wildlife and residents, who can visit the site and experience the beautiful nature.”