by Bethany Rielly

ANTI-HS2 protesters in the Euston tunnel claimed today that there was a “major collapse” as bailiffs moved into a new part of the underground network to evict them. 

HS2 Rebellion told the Morning Star that no one one was injured during the collapse.

Larch Maxey, one of the activists who has been living in the tunnel near London’s Euston station for more than three weeks, said in a video message that a “third of a ton of soil” landed on one of the bailiffs. 

“We just had a major collapse,” Mr Maxey said. “I’ve suggested they hold this operation and reconsider … we are nine and a half feet under, there is tons of earth above us. 

“They carry on trying to remove this shoring here … there’s a great risk that all of the material up there will come down on us.”

The Morning Star understands that bailiffs entered Mr Maxey’s “living chamber” this morning from a down shaft the eviction team has been digging directly above the protesters’ tunnel. In doing so some of the material collapsed onto one of the bailiffs. 

Earlier this week confined-space rescue expert Peter Faulding told the Morning Star that the decision to dig a down shaft above the tunnel was the “most dangerous and difficult route.” He warned that it was “only a matter of time before someone dies.”

The climate activists launched the tunnel protest in Euston Square Gardens against the construction of the HS2 rail project which they claim will damage ancient woodlands, wildlife sites and areas of scientific interest. 

It comes as the High Court rejected today HS2’s request for a possession order for the site stating there was a question mark over the issue.

The judge did however grant the firm an injunction against the five remaining activists in the tunnel.

An HS2 Ltd spokesperson said the judge “recognised that the activists have put themselves and those working to extract them, in ‘grave danger.’

“The injunctions sought by HS2 state that the activists illegally occupying the tunnels are forbidden from entering or remaining on the land at Euston Square Gardens, including within the tunnel.”  

The spokesperson insisted that staff have “acted with safety as their utmost priority.”

An HS2 Rebellion spokeswoman said the group was a “non-violent direct-action movement.

“However the countless live footage we have of evictions and actions is evident in itself that any such violent behaviour is coming from the HS2 contractors paid to remove protesters with ‘reasonable force’,” she added.