Media centre

Tuesday 13 Mar 2018

Public information event to discuss vegetation management work in Lancaster

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

Network Rail is inviting residents to find out more about upcoming vegetation work on the railway in Lancaster.

Lineside vegetation can obscure signals, get blown onto the tracks and disrupt trains, or grow so railway staff do not have a safe place to wait whilst trains pass.

In recent years, incidents caused by vegetation have cost the railway in excess of £100m and extreme weather from storms, rain and wind resulted in approximately 1,500 incidents during 2013/14.

The event is being held between 4pm and 6.30pm on Friday 16 March 2018 at St. Paul’s Parish Hall, Scotforth Road, Lancaster, LA1 4ST.

Residents will be able to discuss the work with the Network Rail project team.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Vegetation management is an essential part of railway maintenance and this work is crucial to keeping both trains and passengers safe on the network.

“We are aware of the impact that removing trees and vegetation can have on local communities which is why we want to discuss with local people what our plans are and why. I would encourage anyone who has an interest in what we are doing to come and talk to us.”

The majority of work will take place during daytime hours from Monday to Friday from the beginning of April 2018 to June 2018. However some work will be required to take place at night when train services are not in operation. We will provide separate notification should any of these night works be near to your property.

For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 114 141 or visit www.networkrail.co.uk/vegetation.