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Destruction from HS2 ‘far worse’ than previously thought as hundreds of homes
set for demolition

   High speed rail line will see nearly 2,000 buildings demolished and
   ‘irreplaceable’ woodlands felled
     * Josh Gabbatiss Science Correspondent @josh_gabbatiss
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   Almost 900 homes, 1,000 businesses and around 60 “irreplaceable”
   ancient woodlands will be destroyed by the construction of the HS2
   railway, according to the company behind the project.

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   damaging route to keep costs down.

   HS2 will provide a high-speed link between London and Birmingham, Leeds
   and Manchester, but it has faced criticism due to its cost and
   environmental harm.
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Read more

     * HS2 ‘will be most expensive railway on Earth at £403m a mile’

   The company behind the line, government-owned HS2 Ltd, has released a
   summary of its predicted impact, including effects on livelihoods and
   health.
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   In its assessment, which was based on “reasonable worst-case
   assumptions”, HS2 Ltd estimated that 19,590 jobs would have to be
   relocated, with 2,380 lost permanently. They noted that 2,340 permanent
   jobs would be created by the development.
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   estimate,” she said.

   “HS2 is continuing to ride roughshod over precious, irreplaceable
   centuries-old ancient woodland and in doing so the homes and
   populations of many wildlife species will be destroyed too.
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Read more

     * The HS2 pay row shows why rail privatisation isn’t working
     * HS2 requires extra £43bn ‘for people to make the most of it’
     * Carillion’s collapse threatens HS2 and other major transport
       projects

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   she said.

   Joe Rukin, campaign manager for the pressure group Stop HS2, said the
   new report was evidence they “don’t care about people, jobs or the
   environment, they only care about getting the costs down”.

   “With costs everywhere else along the HS2 route spiralling out of
   control, it is absolutely clear HS2 Ltd has gone for the most
   destructive, least cost option,” he said.

   Responsing to critics, an HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “We’re designing a
   railway that will reshape the economic geography of the whole country,
   as well as transforming the way we choose to travel for work and
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   until the end of December.
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