Blue Sandford speaking from the tunnel 

AN eighteen year old climate activist has hailed the Euston tunnel protest as a “resounding success” after one week underground.

Blue Sandford – who has been described as ‘Britain’s Greta Thunberg’ – was speaking from deep down in a tunnel system dug secretly by HS2 Rebellion activists in Euston Square Gardens.

HS2 bailiffs are close to entering the compound where the group of at least five protesters are lying.

Ms Sandford said: “We’re facing societal collapse and also famine and drought on a scale we have never faced before. I’m really terrified for my future.

“I don’t know where I will be in even 20 years. But we have a real chance to stop it and end the climate crisis.  And that starts with stopping HS2 and stopping these ridiculous projects that are increasing the risk.”

She said she had met in the Euston camp “so many inspiring people working so hard to save animals and plants and trees, and the world”.

HS2 Rebellion, a splinter group of XR Rebellion, believes the world stands at the brink of an irreversible chain of events that will lead to an unstoppable ecological disaster.

Ms Sandford said: “We have a chance to stop this – we just have to do it before it’s too late.

“We are all holding up well. The bailiffs are being a bit unsafe, but other than that we are fine. It has been a resounding success. We have had more donations, and more people are interested in hearing about HS2 because of this.”

HS2 is a £106billion railway to Birmingham first proposed by Labour’s Lord Andrew Adonis, the self-styled Baron of Camden Town.

It is supported by both main political parties and has continued on despite overwhelming public opposition to the project.

The land around Euston – including the Euston Square Gardens – has been valued at £6billion and will be sold off to private developers once the railway has been built.

Hs2 Ltd’s chairman, Allan Cook, resigned almost one year early last night (Tuesday), although insisting his departure was not connected to the protests.

An application for judicial review to stop the eviction was also dismissed by the High Court, although concessions were made in a ruling allowing HS2 Rebellion lawyers access to the site.

Ms Sandford is not the youngest activist underground.  The son of Newbury By-pass protester Dan ‘Swampy’ Hooper is also there, aged 16.

His age has led the Town Hall to consider whether it has a “safeguarding role” to play in removing protesters from the camp.

The New Journal understands the Town Hall is in discussions with the police about the teenager’s welfare.

While the group says they are safe, there are concerns that the underground tunnels could cave in on top of them.

Mr Hooper is a veteran of famous Newbury by-pass protests in the 1990s – where he spent six days underground, a feat already eclipsed by the action at Euston.

SEE ALSO – SWAMPY: WE’LL BE HERE TIL THE PUBS REOPEN 

Several arrests were made yesterday (Monday) of protesters in trees above ground.

A map released by HS2 Rebellion group shows the enormous scale of the underground system dug secretly by the activists from the camp that was set up in September last year.

HS2 Ltd maintains its railway is not damaging the environment and will benefit society in many ways.

But Camden residents will beg to differ after years of impositions including hundreds of homes and businesses being demolished, through the night building works, construction lorry pollution, public greens being shut off and tens of thousands of graves being exhumed. Works are expected to continue until 2036.

Yesterday, Dr Larch Maxey revealed how HS2 bailiffs were “scratching at the door” of their underground compound and were expected to break in soon.

SEE ALSO: HS2 BAILIFFS ‘SCRATCHING AT THE DOOR’

An email to councillors from HS2’s Euston chief, Rob Pearson, said: “Highly experienced and specialist skilled professionals are leading this operation.

“HS2, paramedics and the Metropolitan Police have all spoken to those in the tunnel to warn them of the dangers they have put themselves in, but still they refuse to come out. The London Fire Brigade have attended site to prepare any rescue plans.

“The Health and Safety Executive has also reviewed the operations to safely remove the activists.

“The HSE Inspector made no immediate observations during the visit as to improvements we need to make and we continue to plan and work to safely remove the activists.”

“These activists have had multiple opportunities to remove themselves from the danger they have put themselves in. For their own safety and the safety of our staff and the emergency service personnel at Euston, they have been urged to get out of the tunnel.

“The temporary possession is likely to extend into this week and we will continue to keep you updated daily. Site preparation works will also be continuing including the installation of fencing and tree removal.”