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Monday 7 Oct 2024

Getting ready for autumn: How we’re reducing leaf-fall on the track between Wrexham and Bidston

Region & Route:

Wales & Western

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

The autumn weather is on the way – some might say it has already arrived – and at Network Rail that means a fresh set of challenges.

One of the biggest tests faced on the network at this time of year is leaves, branches and even whole trees ending up on the line as the wind and rain sweep in and lineside trees shed their leaves.

This can negatively affect both safety and performance, and across the Wales and Borders route, teams are working hard to eliminate the risk posed by leaf-fall this autumn.

One major example of that work is taking place on the Wrexham to Bidston line – also known as the Borderlands line – where a significant programme of tree and vegetation management is being carried out.

Teams have been working through the night for the past few weeks – and will continue for several more weeks – to remove trees that pose a safety risk to the railway at every station between Wrexham General and Hawarden Bridge.

Poplar, ash and sycamore are typical examples of trees near the railway that are being removed as their leaf-fall can affect trains’ braking systems.

Adrian Jones, Network Rail project manager for this project, said: “We recognise that small-scale maintenance was not keeping the vegetation on this line under safe control, and that a more structured approach was required. We also identified a number of diseased or dying trees that could cause a risk to the railway and surrounding area if not removed.

“We only want to remove trees that are a safety risk to the operational railway. All other trees more than six metres from the outer running rail will be sensitively reduced by pruning.”

The bulk of the work is taking place within 600 metres in each direction of the following stations: Wrexham General, Gwersyllt, Cefn-y-bedd, Caergwrle, Hope, Penyffordd, Buckley, Hawarden, Shotton and Hawarden Bridge.

The teams have completed their work at several stations on the line and will be working at others in the coming weeks as they carry out work that is essential to the safe operation of the railway.

Once the work is completed in late October, the need for maintenance will continue but will be significantly reduced.

Network Rail will also look to replant trees which are native and of local origin, in appropriate areas –for example, several community woodlands. The teams are also making sure we provide bird and bat boxes to ensure the local wildlife have secure homes too.

Adrian added: “At Network Rail, we take ecology incredibly seriously, and our in-house ecologists have carried out extended habitat surveys, with additional ground-level assessments for bats. This allows us to work in a sympathetic way to the surrounding areas and wildlife while we carry out our essential work.

“When we’re finished, the overall result will be a much safer railway for both passengers and railway staff.”

Jeremy Williams, Transport for Wales rail route officer for the Wrexham to Bidston line, said: “It’s great to see this targeted investment on the line by Network Rail. We know the impact vegetation along the side of the tracks can have on our trains, particularly during the autumn and winter, with tree-strikes and wheel damage.

“Hopefully, this will have a really positive impact on performance over the next few months and customers will reap the rewards.”