Anti-HS2 protests continue for second week

Members of Stop HS2 Staffordshire descended on the county to demonstrate against the mass felling of trees at six sites around Wood End Lane in Lichfield.

They include Little Lyntus Wood, which has been flattened to make way for the budget-busting line, as well as Fulfen and Hanch woods.

One protester is said to have been up a tree for the past week at John's Gorse, where HS2 Ltd has marked up dozens of trees for felling in the coming days.

Simon Beavis, aged 63, from Staffordshire, said: "This is our England. Our green and pleasant land. And now HS2 have come into our county to rip it up and tear it down with their diggers and chainsaws.

"My family were farmers in Staffordshire for generations. My ancestors must be turning in their graves at what HS2 is doing to our countryside.

"The ordinary taxpayer is paying for a project that will allow a few rich people to get to London 20 minutes faster on trains they will not be able to afford to use.

"Our MP voted against this project as did our local councils. Democracy has failed us."

Protests have also taken place on other sections of the line.