The largest woodland conservation charity in the UK have backed calls from a group of local councils to stop advanced site clearance for HS2.

Buckinghamshire County Council, Chiltern District Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council joined 41 other town and parish councils across the route calling for the first phrase of the project should be put on hold until Notices to Proceed are issued.

Woodland Trust ecologist Luci Ryan said: “We fully understand the concerns of the councils as they mirror our own in respect of the ancient woodland due to be cleared later this year. While the enabling works are legal, we question whether they are right given the project is under review.

“If huge swathes of ancient woodland are destroyed and HS2 is then scrapped then we will have lost a rare, irreplaceable habitat for nothing.

“The fact we are losing ancient woodland at all is terrible. To lose it needlessly would be a travesty. The loss of these centuries-old sites will be catastrophic for the environment. Not only will we lose the woods but the many species of flora and fauna which rely on it for survival are at risk too.

“Rare birds such as the lesser spotted woodpecker, the willow tit and the wood warbler, bats, butterflies, dormice, badgers and hedgehogs are all threatened.

“The government needs to ask itself if it is prepared to allow such significant environmental destruction before the outcome of the review is known.”

A HS2 Ltd spokesperson said: “HS2 aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK. We are committed to reducing the potential impact on the natural environment and aim to build a railway that supports new wildlife habitats, woodlands and community spaces which future generations can enjoy.

“As part of the project, HS2 will deliver a new Green Corridor made up of more than 650 hectares of new woodland, wetland and wildlife habitats alongside the route. More than seven million new native trees and shrubs will be planted to help blend the line into the landscape and leave a lasting legacy of high quality green spaces.

“HS2 gained Parliamentary permission for works to go ahead in 2017. The works currently being delivered by HS2 Ltd are necessary to build the new railway, and are already supporting over 7,000 jobs through business in the supply chain. Interruptions to work can incur additional cost and would not offer the UK taxpayer value for money.”