Concern over 'wildlife trap' HS2 works on Fairford Leys golf club site

Concerns are growing over HS2 methods of catching and transporting wildlife in Fairford Leys.

Polythene sheeting and buckets have been set up around the former golf club site, in a bid by ecologists to trap and relocate animals which get trapped inside.

But some residents and campaigners are reporting that trapped animals such as voles and frogs are dying due to this method, and that it is cruel.

In one image posted to a local Facebook group, two dead mice can be seen in one of the buckets. The buckets do have holes in them, but campaigners say that these small holes quickly get blocked, leaving the vessels prone to getting filled by rainwater creating a drowning hazard.

Fairford Leys resident Sue Stopps has written to MP Rob Butler to express her deep concern.

An extract from the letter reads: "Any animals who are unfortunate enough to fall into the traps are then likely to drown. This is far from being conservation and seems to me to be akin to genocide.

"I recently had a long conversation with a young HS2 ecologist on the golf course site and asked him what would happen to all the polythene when it was eventually taken down. Without hesitation he said that it was unlikely they would be able to re-use it so it would all go to landfill!

"Now, let me think....what is it we're all being told we need to use less of? Oh yes, plastic! How can an ecologist possibly be happy with this situation?

"He told me that he works for HS2 because he believes he is helping the wildlife....

"This is method of trapping wildlife is totally shameful, as is HS2's general attitude towards our beautiful countryside, our wildlife and our communities."

HS2 Limited has been approached for comment

To join The Bucks Herald's HS2: Enough Is Enough campaign group click HERE