RARE creatures, including otter and water vole, are under threat following claims the HS2 high-speed rail link will cut through Birmingham’s most important green oasis in Water Orton.
The Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust, which manages the Park Hall reserve, in Water Orton, admitted it was now drawing-up a ‘‘damage limitation’’ exercise.
The 100-acre site – a mix of woods, grassland and wetland – is home to a host of nesting birds, including teal, reed bunting and buzzards. It’s also important for bats and rare moths.
And otters have been spotted on the reserve’s stretch of the River Tame. An artificial holt was recently erected on the banks in the hope tarkas would breed in the Birmingham area for the first time.
Wildlife Trust top brass, who manage the Environment Agency-owned land, spoke of their frustration over the lack of dialogue with HS2 Ltd, the company behind the link.
Chief executive Neil Wyatt said: “It would be helpful if they would talk to us properly, but they won’t talk specifics about any site.”
The Trust has resigned itself to accommodating the line, but backs Water Orton residents’ calls for a tunnel. At present a one mile stretch of The Tame, running through Park Hall, will be diverted, making the environment ‘‘much more hostile’’ for many creatures.
Mr Wyatt, 49, added: “We have spent a lot of money and effort on the woodland. This site is a gateway for wildlife at the western part of Birmingham.
“As it stands, the plans will turn one large nature reserve into two smaller nature reserves.”
Mr Wyatt stressed the Trust is not anti-HS2.
“We can see the benefits it brings to Birmingham. And, with work done ideally, there is even the opportunity to create habitats.”
Trust development manager Mark Dixon told the Mail: “It is an emotive issue. The rail link is seen as a positive thing by the business community and we do not want to take a confrontational stance.”
The £32 billion rail link will slice 35 minutes from the Birmingham to London rail journey but protestors claim money would be better spent upgrading existing rail stock and environmentalist have panned the project.
A HS2 spokesman said: “We want to develop close working partnerships with all those affected by the planned high speed link between London and the West Midlands.
‘‘We have contacted wildlife organisations to ask for their support in identifying key sites along the route and we are also writing to all relevant landowners to try and arrange site visits for detailed environmental survey work to assess the potential impact of the project.
“This programme is an essential part of the collection of data that will feed into wider environmental impact assessment of HS2, ahead of a hybrid Bill seeking powers to construct the line.”
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