HS2 eco-activists warn they’re at ‘tipping point’ with tunnel collapses and lack of oxygen after 84 hours underground
ECO-WARRIORS fighting HS2 have warned they’ve reached “tipping point” as their 100ft underground tunnel network begins to collapse. The protesters – including long-time campaigner Swampy – have been living beneath Euston Square, London for around 84 hours after they were evicted from their camp on Wednesday. But they claim water is pouring into the tunnel, […]
ECO-WARRIORS fighting HS2 have warned they’ve reached “tipping point” as their 100ft underground tunnel network begins to collapse.
The protesters – including long-time campaigner Swampy – have been living beneath Euston Square, London for around 84 hours after they were evicted from their camp on Wednesday.
But they claim water is pouring into the tunnel, making it increasingly unstable – and believe they could be in danger as bailiffs try to turf them out.
Officials at HS2 have also urged the campaigners to come out amid fears carbon dioxide could suffocate them.
In a new video posted online, Swampy said measures taken by protesters to drain off rainwater have been removed, causing “liquified sand” to flow into the tunnel.
“It’s quite dangerous,” he said.
“We’ve been asking for a couple of days for buckets to remove it, and today it accelerated significantly and there’s quite a danger, so we’re quite concerned about our safety.”
One activist today claimed dozens of calls have been made to cops so far over concerns about the safety of the protest.
A man who gave his name as Dan said: “We’re very concerned about the people inside the tunnels.
“It’s reaching a tipping point where we don’t know how long they are going to be able to continue.
“We don’t know how many are inside. We’re trying to fetch them power bars, water and nuts to make it through this.
“What the police are doing is disgusting.
“Lives are at risk.
“We need to make sure that the people inside the tunnels are safe by any means necessary.”
And an expert who safely excavated Swampy during a similar campaign in 1996 says bailiffs are at risk of buying the protesters alive.
Peter Faulding told the Times: “I personally think they should halt it.
“It’s so dangerous.”
Protesters who crawled into the tunnels in the early hours of Wednesday morning say they have suffered five tunnel collapses in 24 hours and that “liquid mud” is pouring in.
But dad-of-four Swampy, 47 – real name Daniel Hooper – said he would die if necessary.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun earlier this week, Swampy said: “We’ll keep on digging. I’m prepared to put my life on the line if need be.
“As far as I’m concerned these tunnels are safe but we’re prepared to last this out for as long as it takes.
“We’re in a climate emergency and the Government is pressing ahead with the HS2 project that will deforest large areas. It’s madness.”
The protesters have moaned of the “torture of sleep deprivation” as bailiffs worked throughout the night to dig them out.
Meanwhile, one of the campaigners has reportedly chained themselves up underground.
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HS2 said: “The clearance of Euston Square Gardens has required careful planning and dangerous work by highly-skilled experts to try and remove protestors from perilous situations in trees and underground.”
“We are concerned that the occupants of the tunnel are now impeding efforts to help them, shutting themselves off underground, and preventing us from checking air quality as we supply them with air.
“As carbon dioxide can build up in the tunnel, they are putting themselves in even greater danger.”