This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Track & trackside


Preserving biodiversity on Britain’s railways


Ecologist David Prys-Jones looks at some of the issues facing ecologists and project managers when planning work alongside railway tracks


I


t may not be obvious at first sight, but railway land is teeming with wildlife, ranging from plant communities, breeding birds, dormice and badgers to reptiles and amphibians. There are more than 30,000 hectares of line-side vegetation running in corridors in the towns and countryside of the UK. Land beside railway tracks is important to a whole variety of native species and provides a haven of natural habitat often surrounded by intensively farmed or built-up land.


Railway track runs through, or adjacent to, nearly 300 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) in Britain as well as through locally important wildlife sites. Given this background, those who manage the railways have an important role to play in preserving the diversity of life there and ensuring it thrives and flourishes.


Specialist ecology consultancy, Thomson Ecology, is currently working closely with Network Rail and its partners providing strategic ecological advice and


habitat mitigation measures for Phase 2 of the East West Rail project, which will run from Bedford to Bicester and Milton Keynes to Aylesbury. The company has also provided training on ecology and biodiversity issues for Network Rail project managers and is working with the Crossrail team providing habitat mitigation services during extensive nature reserve creation on Wallasea Island. When rail projects require planning permission, or transport and works orders need to be approved, it is no longer enough to avoid, mitigate and compensate for the environmental or ecological impact of a scheme. Under Section 40 of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) act, there is now an obligation for any proposed development to enhance the biodiversity of the chosen site. That means that there is a need to do more than neutralise negative impacts. As ecologists, we make sure that good ecological management is built into project plans and ensure that they comply


with local, regional and national planning policy and with existing legislation. As specialists, we know the importance of timing and forward planning when dealing with wildlife. The breeding season is key to ecology and habitat surveys and we advise rail managers that it is important to think about ecology right at the start of any project so that surveys can be factored into long-term plans. This was our advice right from the start of the East West rail project. The East West Rail Link, like others, passes through areas of habitat which can be full of native species. So far we have found three of the four common reptile species as well as many species of bat. Typically, bats roost under railway bridges; great crested newts find resting places in streams or rivers alongside rail tracks; and breeding birds nest in trees and shrubs along the line. It is important to understand the ecology of the land you are dealing with before you start work, so that planning issues can be avoided.


Called in at the earliest stages Ideally we are called in at the very earliest stages of design and planning. At this point, we will carry out an assessment of the proposed site and advise the developer or project manager of possible ecological issues. For example, on projects like East West Rail Link we look at the site


February 2014 Page 55


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160  |  Page 161  |  Page 162  |  Page 163  |  Page 164