ANTI-HS2 activists have built a 30-foot high tower in the River Colne to block contractors from constructing a bridge. 

The campaigners say the action is to highlight the “needless and brutal destruction” of Denham Country Park nature reserve in Uxbridge, West London. 

HS2 contractors have been felling trees in the reserve since June to clear the path for a road to relocate power lines. 

The bridge, scheduled to be built today, will be used to fell trees on the other side, where activists have set up a protest camp, campaigners have said. 

Environmental activist Dan Hooper said: “We are blocking this bridge from crossing the river as they cannot fell the ancient oaks on the other side without it. 

“HS2 is causing devastation throughout the land and is wasting over £200 billion of public money. We are living in times of climate emergency and we will not stand for it.”

The action is the latest attempt by HS2 Rebellion — a coalition of environmental groups — to impede construction of the line and pressure the government to scrap the multi-billion pound project. 

Campaigners argue that the felling of trees in Denham Country Park is “needless” and “avoidable” as it is more than one mile away from where the new rail line will be built.

Ministers have claimed that the line, which will connect London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds, will be Britain’s “cleanest, greenest, and most environmentally sustainable forms of transport.”

However HS2 Rebellion argue that construction of the line is “tearing through irreplaceable habitats” and “will never be carbon neutral in its 120-year lifespan.”