Grayling wins High Court fight against anti-HS2 campaigners over woodland area

An injunction bans ‘unlawful protest activities’ around a construction site in west London.

Published Feb 19, 2018

Protesters hold a banner outside the Rolls Building in central London, as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling launches High Court action in a bid to stop ‘unlawful protest’ by demonstrators opposed to the HS2 rail line running through a woodland area in west London (Victoria Jones/PA)

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has won a High Court fight with environmental campaigners opposed to the HS2 rail line running through a woodland area in west London.

A judge on Monday imposed an injunction banning “unlawful protest activities” in and around a construction site near Harvil Road in Hillingdon.

Mr Justice Barling had heard arguments from lawyers representing Mr Grayling and HS2 bosses and demonstrators

Protesters make their views known as Chris Grayling launched a High Court action to stop ‘unlawful protest’ by demonstrators opposed to HS2 running through a woodland area in west London (Victoria Jones/PA)

One protest leader said it was the first time ministers had taken such legal action in a bid to stop an HS2 protest.

Mark Keir, co-ordinator of the Hillingdon Green Party, said around 50 people were trying to protect wildlife in an area of around 300 acres.