London protesters demand funds be diverted from HS2 to bolster health services
The entrance to a site office for a planned high-speed rail line at London’s Euston station was blocked Monday by protestors, who said money should be diverted from the project to revitalize the struggling health services and protect those on the frontline battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Two protestors, wearing surgical face masks and adhering to social distancing protocols to prevent the spread of the virus, held a black banner across a road, forcing a lorry to turn back, in what organizers said was part of day-long series of actions at various sites linked to the project, called HS2.
“We are here today because we very much believe that the money spent on HS2 should be redirected immediately to our NHS,” said one of the protesters, referring to Britain’s National Health Service, according to a video posted on social media.
Elsewhere at least 11 entrances to HS2 sites in the county of Warwickshire in central England were blocked by protestors. More protests of a similar vein are due to be held in the near future.
Those opposed to HS2 have devoted years to setting up camps and occupying various points along the planned route in a bid to stop contractors razing ancient woodland for the project, which has also come under fire on cost grounds.
Proponents of the HS2 scheme say it will greatly reduce journey times between London and northern England and add capacity to Britain’s crowded transport network.
