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Notes to Editors

Vegetation removal – the facts

During a particularly stormy year in 2013, incidents caused by vegetation cost the railway industry £100m. Storm, rain and wind resulted in approximately 1,500 incidents in 2013-14 where fallen trees disrupted passengers.

With 20,000 miles of track and an estimated 2.5 million trees growing on the lineside, managing vegetation on the railway is not just a full-time job but one of our most important safety issues.  Our climate, variety of trees and train frequency mean that the railway in Great Britain faces more serious challenges than most other countries.

Lineside vegetation can obscure signals, get blown onto the tracks, or grow to an extent where our staff do not have a safe place to wait whilst trains pass.

We will be removing lineside trees and plants which pose a significant safety or performance risk. Vegetation management also helps to prevent leaves falling on the track which can hamper train acceleration and braking.

Areas are assessed on a case-by-case basis, however all sites will see a clear six-metre wide corridor created (where available) on either side of the track, along with the removal of leaf fall species (for example ash and sycamore) and any trees tall enough to fall into the path of a train or onto other parts of the railway infrastructure.

Before works start Network Rail or our representatives carry out an ecological survey. Any protected species or nesting birds are identified and appropriate methods of working are put into place.  Although the works do not require the submission of a planning application, where appropriate we will notify your local authority and any relevant statutory bodies.

To undertake these works, we will use a variety of equipment that can include chainsaws, flail machines, chipping machines or handsaws.  Where suitable, logs and branches will either be left to create a safe habitat for wildlife; chipped and spread evenly; or will be completely removed from site.

Network Rail is very aware of the impact removing trees and vegetation can have on local communities.  We particularly know that this can come as a something of a shock for people who have become accustomed to lines of trees or hedges near their homes or workplaces. However, for the safety of our passengers and employees we have no option but to take action to reduce the risk posed in order to operate a safe and reliable railway.