Recent introductions Oak processionary moth, a native of central and southern Europe, was first identified in London in 2006 and whilst the moth itself is benign, the caterpillars can not only cause serious defoliation of oak trees but also the hairs are a serious health hazard to humans. Currently only in the London area this is an invasive species that, whilst unlikely to pose any hazard to the railway, we work closely with experts at Forest Research to assist in the containment of this pest and at the same time meet our obligations under UK plant health legislation.


Future problems The genus of Phytophthora fungus-like pathogens are infamous, potato blight being one of the most notorious. This notoriety is, however, likely to increase over the coming years as P. ramorum continues to cause extensive damage to trees and plants in parts of the UK. This species is already well known in the United States where it has caused significant mortality to many trees; a phenomenon known as sudden oak death syndrome. The large outbreaks reported in South West England have occurred in the vicinity of Network Rail property and off track personnel in the area have worked closely with the Forestry Commission to assist in the treatment of the plants in an effort to contain the spread. This pathogen has massive implications for the forestry industry and the safety implications for Network Rail include a potential increase in the numbers of large, dead trees next to the railway.


Innovative control of invasives Recognising the environmental implications of certain control methods of invasive species, Network Rail has embarked upon a long term project to investigate the sustainable management of the lineside. The project is investigating numerous techniques to deal with issues on the railway that can be easily maintained and provide some biodiversity benefit. The issues being studied include possible vegetation management and planting to reduce the impact of rabbit burrowing and establishment of ‘desirable’ plant species to combat the invasive monocultures described earlier.


Network Rail has also been involved for almost 10 years in the project investigating the potential for natural biological control of Japanese knotweed. This project has been successfully granted a licence to release a knotweed specialist insect at a number of locations following six years of intensive quarantine laboratory work to make sure the insect will only attack the knotweed. This approach of natural control will not eradicate the Japanese knotweed – it is obviously not in the interest of the insect to kill off its only food source – but together with targeted, integrated management the current deleterious impact of knotweed can be reduced, an example of how our management strategies can be of benefit not only to the railway, but to society as a whole.


ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY MAGAZINE |123|


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