Banners were unfurled in at least 9 central locations, including Queen Square, Castle Park, and the Harbourside, this morning, Monday 22nd. The banners were in protest against High Speed 2 (HS2), the London-Birmingham rail link currently under construction.

There had also been fly-posting over the weekend, but this had largely been removed by Monday morning.

The mass banner drop was organized by HS2 Rebellion, an offshoot of XR which has a strong following in Bristol. The event took place across the country, with activists sharing photos of their banners from as far and wide Portsmouth, Isle of Wight, Cardiff, Woking and Whitstable on a Telegram group.

Information from the HS2 Rebellion website claims that HS2 will impact “108 ancient woodlands, 693 wildlife sites, 33 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 5 Internationally important wildlife sites”.

Despite claims from HS2 Ltd, the parent company leading the development, the rail service will never be carbon neutral within its lifetime.

The banner drop comes as protesters are being evicted after three weeks of occupying tunnels dug underneath Euston, London, where trees are being felled to make space for a temporary car park.