Media centre

Friday 17 May 2024

21,000 trees and shrubs planted near Okehampton as first phase of ecology project is completed

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

More than 21,000 trees and shrubs have been planted on the outskirts of Okehampton in the first phase of Network Rail’s project to protect the natural environment in the area.

Hazel, hawthorn, oak, silver birch, mountain ash and honeysuckle, all native to Great Britain, are among the trees and shrubs planted on a 6.5-hectare site east of Okehampton, one of six that are being developed to promote local species and wildlife.

Network Rail’s contractor, Ground Control, has planted the site, which is next to existing woodland on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. They have used biodegradable guards to protect the plants from rabbits and deer.

The new trees and shrubs will provide habitats for several species including hazel dormice. They are classified as vulnerable in the wild and move around, nest, feed and breed above ground.

The site will now be carefully managed over the coming years to ensure wildlife can thrive.

The project is part of the reopening of the Dartmoor Line from Okehampton to Exeter, which was completed in 2021. Network Rail is working with Natural England to enhance the local environment.

Work is also well underway at other sites around Okehampton with thousands more trees and shrubs set to be planted in the coming months.

Phil Spruce, Network Rail project manager, said: “We take care to look after the environment around the railway and this is an important milestone in Okehampton.

“Reopening the Dartmoor Line was a great achievement and this ecology work will bring even more benefits to the area.”

James Hanna, Ground Control operations director, said: “This has been a fantastic project to work on and we are delighted to support Network Rail in their vision to create and enhance lineside and woodland habitats to support protected species, such as dormice, and work towards biodiversity net gain targets.

“The native trees and shrubs we have planted will expand and complement an adjacent mature woodland and we look forward to continue maintaining this site for years to come and monitor the diverse flora and fauna that it will support.”

Andrea Ayres, Natural England deputy director for Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly said:  “We are delighted to be working with Network Rail on this project to plant trees and shrubs on the outskirts of Okehampton to protect and provide habitats for many local species. This innovative work will help ensure a healthy, thriving and resilient ecosystems on this land and the surrounding area.”