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Tuesday 26 May 2009

FOLKESTONE WARREN TO GET HISTORIC MAKEOVER

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail, in partnership with Natural England and White Cliff Countryside Partnership (WCCP), is undertaking a project to restore the open grasslands which originally helped make Folkestone Warren a haven for wildlife, landscape and geology enthusiasts.

Folkestone Warren, a local nature reserve which forms part of the Heritage Coast in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, has been a popular site for locals and visitors for over 150 years. Over the years, many of the grasslands have been lost to scrub, and flytipping and vandalism have contributed to a downfall in the site's appearance over the years.

Andrew Munden, Network Rail's Kent route director, said: "The aim of this scheme is to make Folkestone Warren more inviting for visitors, to enhance the wildlife habitat and offer it greater protection. As a result of the work, there will be more open land, together with more and better facilities, managed WCCP staff and a team of volunteers.

"The warren is home to a wide range on plants and animals, including over 120 species which are on a list of the most vulnerable in Britain. As normal, we have put a lot of effort into planning the works so we don't cause any unnecessary damage to this sensitive environment."

Network Rail, working with WCCP, has already started the work, including basic scrub clearance and the bat and dormice boxes. Work will continue over the summer, including the installation of new fencing, before larger-scale scrub clearance takes place in the autumn and winter. Litter clearance will also take place and seating installed before the project is completed in 2010.

Phil Williams, Kent Downs, Coast & Marshes Team of Natural England, said: "This scheme will bring real benefits to Folkestone Warren, both as a wildlife habitat and a place for members of the public to visit. We will be working with Network Rail and WCCP to deliver this valuable project in a way which is sensitive to the environment."