HS2 activists have dug a tunnel near Euston station in London, having excavated a lengthy channel under a nearby park in protest against the £106 billion rail project.
HS2 Rebellion claim the tunnel is 100ft (30m) long and has taken them two months to dig, with the operation nicknamed 'Kelvin' while excavation took place.
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The tunnels aim to complicate the process of evicting protesters from Euston Square Gardens - which they are occupying in protest against the railway works, with construction workers requiring access to the park to build a new Euston station.
"Tunnellers have worked around the clock, using pickaxes, shovels, buckets and shifts of 2-12 people at a time," the group said in a statement.
The members set up a Tree Protection Camp in Euston Square Gardens back in September, and now believe the tunnel is their 'best defence' against being evicted.
"The centrepiece of the camp, which has provided free food, bedding and accommodation for scores of homeless people, is Buckingham Pallets," a statement on the HS2 Rebellion website explains.
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"As well as concealing the tree protectors tunnel entrance, this has acted as the camp hub. It features two pallet towers, a kitchen, living room, compost toilet and art created by several local artists."
A spokesperson for HS2 Rebellion told the BBC that four people had 'locked themselves' to fixing points inside the tunnels, and that they had enough food and water for 'several weeks'.
A protester called Blue Sandford, 18, admitted the stunt was 'dangerous', but said she felt it was 'worth it'.
Sandford told the news outlet: "I'm in this tunnel because they [the government] are irresponsibly putting my life at risk from the climate and ecological Emergency.
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"They are behaving in a way that is so reckless and unsafe that I don't feel they are giving us any option but to protest in this way to help save our own lives and the lives of all the people round the world.
"I shouldn't have to do this - I should be in school - the trouble is they are stealing that future and I have to stop them."
The Met Police have confirmed a number of officers were sent to the site at Euston Square Gardens, but only to assist High Court enforcement officers in the event of any breach of the peace.
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A spokesperson for HS2 said the protests were 'costly to the taxpayer', and a 'danger to the safety of the activists, HS2 staff, High Court enforcement officers and the general public'.
They said such incidents also put 'unnecessary strain on the emergency services during the pandemic'.
The spokesperson added: "HS2 has taken legal temporary possession of Euston Square Gardens in order to progress with works necessary for the construction of the new Euston station.
"These protests are a danger to the safety of the protesters, our staff and the general public, and put unnecessary strain on the emergency services during a pandemic."
Featured Image Credit: HS2 Rebellion