Good afternoon everyone! I hope this update brings some positivity to light about this sad situation. 

First of all, I would like to say thank you to every single person who has helped and supported this petition, signed and shared it, to the people who dedicated all of their time and energy into crying out against the loss of Leather Lane Oaks. Thank you to each one of you who has raised awareness about the wildlife crimes HS2 are committing across the country and for passionately standing up for your beliefs and for the future of our Earth. Because of you, we have received much more media attention and coverage over the last few days, with yet another BBC news broadcast last night and an article written in the “Independent” yesterday including information about the bird boxes being illegally destroyed by HS2 workers. (I have included links to all of these articles below.)

Since felling began on Tuesday, any further felling has come to a halt; most likely caused by the national attention we have created and the fact that HS2 have a lot of questions to answer to.  

RSPB have also spoken out against the wildlife crimes in a public tweet asking if they did the surveys “before sending in the chainsaws?” Working alongside the RSPCA, these organisations have now put pressure on HS2 to be accountable for their crimes against nature and Lawyers for Nature have now taken on the case. 

Lindsey Spinks works voluntarily for Lawyers For Nature. 

Here is what she's said:

'The legal team acting for Jones Hill Wood have taken the threat to wildlife at the Leather Lane Oaks onboard and stepped in by gathering vital evidence and writing an urgent letter to HS2’s Lawyers outlining concerns for potential roosting bats and nesting birds and possible breaches of Wildlife Law.  We are still awaiting the surveys requested by Lisa Foster of Buxtons Solicitors – despite HS2’s claims that they have conducted adequate surveys according to official guidance, they have not been forthcoming in providing evidence of such. It seems, that they have been caught out, yet again, as they were at Jones Hill Wood when then entered in October without even minimal surveys or licences to begin felling.  Pressure has mounted from other parties, including the RSPB and works have been suspended whilst investigations take place.'

A link to a crowdfunding site for the legal battle to save trees and HS2 accountability will be in the next petition update. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000tbbp/south-today-oxford-evening-news-18032021 -Here is the BBC evening news report from last night.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hs2-trees-birds-environment-b1819179.html -The independent article including news about the illegal bird box removals by HS2 workers. 

https://www.hs2rebellion.earth/2021/03/17/are-hs2-putting-more-bats-through-the-chipper/ -An article including illegal destruction of roosting bats and other wildlife and important evidence to support illegal activity taking place. 

https://twitter.com/rspbengland/status/1372253904608579586?s=21 -RSPB’s public post on Twitter against HS2 wildlife crimes.