A CARLISLE woman is taking part in a socially-distanced protest walk along the route of HS2.


Fiona Prior, 57 from Carlisle, joined the walk yesterday with her son Louis Ward, 30 from Manchester, and plans to walk to Aylesbury with the group which is made up of members of Extinction Rebellion and anti-HS2 groups.


The broader group is walking the length of the HS2 route from Birmingham to London.


Fiona said: “I have been doing some keyboard activism back at home and emailing MPs, putting stuff on social media, and I really felt that if at all possible I wanted to have a presence there.


“It’s not just people who live on the actual line who are affected, it’s all of us.”


They are hoping to highlight the potential damages to wildlife and biodiversity as well as to raise awareness about the impact that HS2 could have on the communities along the route.


It has brought people of all ages together with a sense of community and purpose.


“It has been fantastic, so many people are beeping their horns and saying well done,” said Fiona.


“People that we have come across are really supporting what we’re doing.”


The group is separated into smaller groups of six people who adhere to social distancing and wear masks.


She said: “We’re all pretty sensible, there are some of the more vulnerable age groups that have a sign around their neck saying ‘two meters please.”


A spokesperson for HS2 said: “HS2 is already playing a pivotal role in helping Britain’s economic recovery as the country emerges from lockdown, offering over 400,000 contract opportunities for UK businesses and providing for thousands of jobs right across the country.

 

“All leading wildlife organisations agree that climate change is the biggest future threat to wildlife and habitats in the UK.


“HS2 Ltd is on track to design and build the most sustainable high-speed railway in the world, and we urge environmental groups to help us in getting people out of their cars, off planes and onto low-carbon, greener high speed rail.”