On Swampy ground: a brief history of protest tunnelling in the UK

As HS2 protesters dig down in London, veteran activists explain why the tactic can be so effective

• HS2 protesters hope to occupy Euston tunnel for weeks

Protest tunnelling, back in the spotlight thanks to subterranean anti-HS2 demonstrations in London, became a national preoccupation in the 90s when environmental activists dug a complex series of tunnels in the path of an extension to the A30 in Fairmile, Devon, resisting attempts at eviction by police.

Swampy, the nickname of the well-known environmental activist Daniel Hooper, was one of a group of protesters demonstrating against rerouting the road, and spent seven days and nights in the tunnel. He was the last to emerge.