Media centre

Thursday 13 Sep 2007

KEEPING THE RAILWAY SAFE THROUGH SUTTON PARK

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To ensure the safety of the railway for train services and employees, Network Rail will shortly embark on a programme of trimming trees and hedges alongside the railway line which runs through Sutton Park. Wooded vegetation within 5 metres of the railway will be carefully removed with the timber being donated to the Sutton Park Saw Mill for re-use in the park. A spokesperson for Network Rail said: "This can be a serious issue for the safe running of the railway and we need to manage it carefully. As well as the danger of trees falling onto the tracks, overhanging branches that are not managed properly can prevent train drivers seeing signals and put track workers at risk." The work will take place on Sundays in daylight hours when the line is closed to railway traffic. The project starts on the 16 September and is scheduled to last for 6-8 weeks. Network Rail has consulted with Birmingham City Council, who manages the park and Natural England to agree a Special Site Management Statement with working methods in the park carefully assessed. The spokesperson added: "Network Rail takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and we’ve carefully timed this work to avoid the bird-nesting and badger hibernation seasons. As part of the project we have agreed special working practices with the park authorities to ensure we protect the ecology of this unique site which includes rare flora such as marsh violets and freshwater crayfish."