Tuesday 9 Mar 2010
MARSH SPECIES TO BENEFIT FROM RAIL CONSERVATION SCHEME
- Region & Route:
- | Southern
Water voles, medicinal leeches, marsh mallow plants and greater water parsnip are just some of the rare or protected species which are set to benefit from conservation work being carried out by Network Rail to improve the Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The initiative, which has been delivered in partnership with Natural England, will enhance the status of three sites along the railway within the SSSI – one at Rye and two at Appledore – from ‘unfavourable’ to ‘recovering’. The first phase of the work, which has recently been completed, involved clearing existing vegetation from the side of the tracks. The second phase, which should start after the bird nesting season ends in September, will involve further vegetation work plus re-profiling the ditches to enhance the watercourses and create an environment in which certain native species of plants and animals can thrive.
Dave Ward, Network Rail’s route director for Kent, said: “As one of Britain’s biggest landowners and with hundreds of miles of railway in Kent and East Sussex, we take our responsibilities seriously for managing the trackside environment, at the same time as running a safe railway.
“This project is a great example of how we are able to work with organisations, such as Natural England, to enhance natural habitats along the railway. It also demonstrates that there are a variety of ways to improve a habitat, it is not just about planting vegetation.”
Natural England's South East Kent team leader, Mick Oliver, said: "Dungeness, Romney Marsh and Rye Bay SSSI is a nationally-important coastal and wetland site, renowned for its extensive network of ditches which drain areas of grazing marsh, arable farmland and reed bed. Many of the habitats and their associated wildlife rely on active management to retain and restore the conditions they need to thrive.
"The work undertaken by Network Rail will help us improve access and management of the wetland habitats, ditches and pools and reinstate the reed beds.
"Working with us Network Rail will limit any damage to the grazing marsh by using tracking for storage of materials and moving equipment. Any damage to the grass will be levelled and re-sown later in the year. We have also suggested some best practice procedures for the operations, including leaving some standing scrub and small trees regularly along the railway line to ensure there are some habitats for birds in the area."
Notes to editors
The project aligns with Natural England’s public service agreement to have 95% of the country’s SSSIs designated as ‘positive’ by the end of 2010 and contributes to Network Rail’s biodiversity targets for it’s current funding period (2009 – 2014).
The scope of the works was determined by Natural England before any work commenced and an environmental assessment was carried out on the 21 August 2009. Discussions were also held with the Forestry Commission, RSPB, the Environment Agency and the Industry Drainage Board prior to any works commencing.
LOCATIONS:
Site 1: a length of track adjacent to Appledore Station on the Appledore to Lydd line
Site 2: a length of track adjacent to Appledore Station on the Ashford to Brighton line
Site 3: a length of track beginning at Middle Salts Bridge on the Ashford to Brighton line.
THE KEY SPECIES:
Water voles (Arvicola terrestris)
An ideal water vole habitat will contain substantial marginal vegetation to provide both shelter and food. Preferably the watercourse will be slow-flowing with limited fluctuations in water level. Water Voles require earth banks into which they can burrow to create nest chambers. The water level should be around 1m in depth and the bank will be steep with no poaching.
Isolated populations of Water Voles are distributed across the Romney Marsh and around Rye.
Greater water parsnip (Sium latifolium)
The greater water parsnip is usually found in ditches as they grow with their roots in shallow, still water. The plant will grow among tall reeds but does not survive in heavy shade.
The greater water parsnip has a UK classification as nationally scarce. However, it is found at various locations across the Romney Marsh. It can be found along the Royal Military Canal corridor plus both on the Dowels and at Newchurch and on the Rother and Brede valleys.
Marsh mallow plant (Althaea officinalis)
The Marsh Mallow plant is usually found growing in marshland near to the coast and thrives in damp conditions.
Although the plant itself is not protected it is the main food source for the scarce marsh mallow moth (Hydraecia osseola) which is found only in the Romney Marsh and on the river valley in Medway in the UK. It is important to extend the number of these plants where they are found.
Medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis)
Medicinal leeches can be found in shallow water of a reasonably high temperature. They require an abundance of vertebrate hosts on which they can feed.
The Romney Marsh is home to the largest population of medicinal leeches in the UK.
Medicinal leeches are a protected species.
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