'We have set up camps in the trees to save Kenilworth's ancient woodland' - protesters talk about their daring campaign to stop HS2

Anti-HS2 demonstrators have set up camp in woodland tree houses near Kenilworth in a bid to block the high-speed rail development going ahead during the coronavirus crisis.

Protesters have spent the last six weeks camping out in ancient trees which are set to be felled along the proposed route in Crackley Woods near Kenilworth.

Dozens of campaigners from Extinction Rebellion and the Stop HS2 groups have joined forces to reside at the makeshift camps in the under-threat forests.

Their camp of around 20 tents and camper vans has been blocking work sites and is said to feature a roundhouse built from hay bales complete with a field kitchen.

The group say they have been spending the days up trees during lockdown and claim to be self-isolating as though they are a "single, large household".

Supporters have been bringing the group food and care packages to leave at the edge of the camp as they continue to protest against the high speed rail link.

It comes as demonstrations across 20 other sites including London's Euston Station took place with protesters blocking access to building sites.

Campaigners say the ongoing work to HS2 should be classed as non-essential and is putting the lives of workers and their families at risk.

Environmentalists including Chris Packham are also angry that the development of the railway is leading to "irreversible destruction" of ancient habitats and woodlands.

One protester Samantha Smithson, 37, of Nottingham, describes herself as a "full-time tree defender" with the Crackley Woods Protection Group.

The former fashion designer has spent the last three nights in a hammock near a tree that was due to be felled.

She said: “I’m currently sat on top of a cherry picker transport vehicle which is what they use to carry people to cut off branches from the trees before felling them, so I’m stopping that.

“There is also another lorry behind with the sleepers they use for the line which can’t get past.

“It’s hard to say but I think I’ve been up for 45 minutes. There are six to 10 police officers here.

"They have given me a warning and have to wait for specialist services to get me down because I’m elevated above two metres.

“Because the traffic was stopped in the road it was quite easy to climb on top above the bonnet. I’m planning to stay here indefinitely.

“I didn’t plan to do this but we have got to stop this destruction. I’m a member of Extinction Rebellion and I joined HS2 Rebellion quite recently.

“I’m doing this because HS2 is destroying hundreds of ancient woodlands we need to fight climate change. This is our Amazon.

“There is no financial or environmental benefit. It costs £6,600 a person and we need to give the money to the NHS during the pandemic.

“I’ve been staying in a tree for three days. We knew what they were planning because they had to tell the public they were closing the road to fell one of the trees.

“We set up a hammock near the tree they were planning to log.

“The Crawley Woods camp is round the corner so they could bring us supplies if we needed. The three of us brought our own picnics and snacks.

“It is my first time sleeping in a tree and it’s very beautiful being in the fresh air, but it’s not picturesque being near what the HS2 workers are doing.

“The public walking by have been very supportive and have been saying: ‘Good on you.'

Another camp protestor, a former tree surgeon known only as Quercus - which is latin for Oak - said he was “overcome with grief” when he saw trees being cut down.

He added: “Even before we had the pandemic and lockdown, there were a vast minority of people that were able to come out and do protests like this - certainly far fewer people now.

"People's democratic right to protest and have their say has been taken away at this time.

“I wouldn’t say I’m happy to be arrested again, but I’m privileged enough to be arrested without it affecting me too much.”