HS2 granted route-wide injunction to tackle environmental protests

A 2021 encampment in Euston Square Gardens, London, where a 100ft tunnel network was built by HS2 protesters who said the garden was at risk from the project. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

A high court judge has granted a route-wide injunction to HS2 to prevent environmental protesters from accessing hundreds of miles of land earmarked for the controversial route. It is thought to be one of the largest injunctions of its kind against protesters granted by a court.

HS2 and the secretary of state for transport, the claimants in the case, applied to the high court for the route-wide injunction on 22 March, arguing that unlawful protests had hindered construction of the route. The claimants said the protesters had committed offences of trespass and nuisance.