HS2 protesters living in a camp for more than a year are refusing to leave - just 20 miles away from Crewe.

Named as the Bluebell Woods Protection Camp, Staffordshire, the area contains more than 40 activists who are furious that the woods will be cut down for HS2.

The western leg of the high speed rail scheme will pass through the site towards Crewe - something the protesters are seeking to prevent going ahead.

One of those at the camp, Ian, said: "They might fell the woods straight away, they might not, but presumably they (HS2) think we're causing enough of a nuisance to them - giving them enough bad publicity to want rid of us basically.

"This is our home as well as woods that we need to protect.

"We're trying to stop the woods being cut down, but it's on quiet a busy road - it's quite a high profile spot - so it's a good opportunity for us to talk to people who are going to be affected by this trainline, which is a lot of people."

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The camp includes a makeshift visitor's centre with pictures of protesters and information boards.

HS2 believe Phase Two A of the railway (Birmingham to Crewe) will unlock more capacity on the West Coast Mainline.

This could see services between Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent increase from hourly to half-hourly.

Bosses say there will also be more services from Crewe to Runcorn and Crewe to Liverpool - as well as from North Wales to Chester (via Crewe) to London.

The company also says that 78 hectares of native broadleaved woodland will be planted as part of this phase.

Another protester said: "No-one wants HS2. You only have to walk down the high street and mention it and people's faces turn upside down, like, even the thought of it is just disgusting to people.

"Considering how many months ago they (the Government) didn't even have enough money to feed children.

"Now we have millions and we're going to waste it all."

The arrival of HS2 services into Crewe will allow passengers and visitors to the town to benefit from a 225 mph service, travelling between Crewe and the capital in less than an hour.

HS2 aims to ease congestion and over-crowding, an attempt at making the travelling by train option a more convenient and enjoyable one for people.

It also aims to take hundreds of lorries off the roads every day as more freight can move to rail.

The company hopes that this would improve air quality and help reduce carbon emissions.

A spokesperson for HS2 stated: "HS2 will provide zero carbon rail travel from day one, helping the UK to fight climate change.

"We've already started planting seven million trees and shrubs between Birmingham and London.

"Along the railway's route to Crewe, which includes Bluebell Wood, we'll create a new wildlife habitat, including planting 600,000 square metres of woodland."

HS2 Ltd can take a temporary possession of Bluebell Wood from today.

Protesters have been asked to leave and have been moving materials to a second camp, approximately half a mile up the road.

This is to prepare for eviction and to provide more space for the increased number of people coming to resist the eviction.

HS2 is expected to arrive in Crewe between 2029 and 2033.

In case you missed it: Anglers club receives £25,000 grant from HS2 community fund following impact of construction.

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