Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is asking people in Staffordshire to contact the 12 MPs across the constituency to save the date and urge them to speak up for wildlife at the debate.

A Gov.uk petition kick-started last year by Chris Packham which The Wildlife Trusts supported, reached over 150K signatures, prompting the Petitions Committee to schedule a Westminster Hall debate on Monday 13 September. MPs will discuss whether to halt all HS2 works and repeal HS2 legislation.  We fully support the principle of halting works on the ground while plans can be reconsidered. 

There will also be a chance to hold the Government to account on what is said, as the HS2 Minister is expected to formally respond to the debate on the day. 

HS2 will impact over 10,000 acres of land across Staffordshire, destroying nearly 19 hectares of ancient woodland, and damaging over 50 designated Local Wildlife Sites, from flower-rich meadows to bird-filled wetlands. 

The highest cost to wildlife, heritage and landscape will be the loss of irreplaceable habitats that cannot be recreated. We argue that many other habitats on the route in Staffordshire should be considered irreplaceable, such as centuries-old water meadows, inland saltmarsh, and many ancient hedgerows lining old country lanes.

People interested in contacting their MP about the debate should use this form to get in touch with them - http://wtru.st/MPs-HS2-debate