Euston HS2 campaigners warn tunnel network inundated with ‘liquid mud’

'This is not safe, there’s not enough room for people to get out quickly from this tunnel’, activist says

A member of the eviction team speaks to an Extinction Rebellion activists who stands in a makeshift camp at Euston Station to protest against the HS2 high-speed railway (REUTERS)

Campaigners opposed to the HS2 train line, who have dug a series of tunnels under an area of central London due to house the transport route, say liquid mud is pouring into the underground network.

Veteran environmental campaigner Daniel Marc Hooper, who goes by the name ’Swampy’, said the environment had become unsafe after overnight rain saw water spread into the tunnels.

The tunnels were dug under Euston Square Gardens by the activists over a period of seven months, stemming from a makeshift camp that had been set up on the green.

However, the activist claimed water continued to spread into the tunnels after the rain had subsided, accusing those seeking to evict them of funnelling water through to the tunnels, a claim HS2 say is “untrue”.

Swampy is one of at least five campaigners in the 100ft network underneath Euston Square Gardens, protesting under the banner of HS2 Rebellion, an offshoot of the Extinction Rebellion group who oppose the planned rail line due to its impact on the environment and biodiversity.

Officials have warned protesters risk suffocation and drowning by remaining in the tunnels. So far two people have been arrested under the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation Act).

Five others were arrested at the scene on Thursday, three for allegedly breaching Covid regulations.

At least five people remain in the network of tunnels, which took months to build.

“There was liquid mud coming through the wall last night, the rain stopped and we informed them [bailiffs] of this problem”, Swampy said.

“They said they were going to pump the water out, the rain has now stopped and loads more liquid mud is coming down now.”

Swampy added: “This is not safe, there’s not enough room for people to get out quickly from this tunnel.”

The National Eviction Team previously warned the “very dangerous” tunnels could collapse.

Additional reporting by agencies