Extinction Rebellion camped out in trees over the weekend to prevent them being felled for the HS2 development.

Twelve people scaled the trees in Harvil Road, just to the south of Harefield, in Hillingdon, close to the nature reserve to protect them from the chainsaw.

The felling had been due to take place between 8am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, but could not commence due to the presence of the protesters and strong winds.

Jo Rogers, spokeswoman for Extinction Rebellion, said the group are concerned about the scale of tree-felling in the Colne Valley while the future of the HS2 rail project is still in doubt.

Hillingdon Times:

The Colne Valley park area itself 43 square miles stretching from Rickmansworth to Staines, Surrey, and the banks of the Thames in the south, Uxbridge and Heathrow, in Hillingdon, in the east and Slough, Berkshire, in the west.

Sarah Green, of campaign group Save Colne Valley, estimates at least 2,000 trees have already been cleared from nearby sites by subcontractors to HS2 in the last month.

Hillingdon Times:

Sian Cox, 54, from Brecon, said: "Extinction Rebellion was the first time I was arrested and this is my first time at a protest site.

"The fight we have on our hands is to change the system that puts short-term economic growth ahead of the health of the biosphere we all rely on for life. We are killing our host, and this tree is a symbol of that for me.

"The only thing that works in a system that does not want to change is non-violent action like this."

Manu Frosh, 41, said: "It is important that we protect our world. If I'm up a tree they can't cut it down, and if enough people take this action they may realise people's lives are more important than fast trains."

HS2 said in a said in an earlier statement that the project "aims to be one of the most environmentally responsible infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK".

The statement read: "HS2 will create extra capacity on our transport network, taking cars and lorries off the road.

"The project will also deliver a new green corridor made up of more than 650 hectares of new woodland, wetland and wildlife habitats alongside the line.

"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 all along the route."

A spokesoman for HS2 added that the tress are expected to be chopped down at a later date.

HS2) is a planned high-speed railway awaiting, which, when completed, will directly connect London, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. It's estimated to cost £56 billion pounds.