More on clearance along the railway
Following disquiet about the impact on wildlife of trackside clearances (see posts on 03.12.2007 & 23.01.08), a site meeting was held at a sunny level crossing near Doleham on February 7th between representatives of Maxfield Nature Conservation Trust, Railtrack and their forestry contractors, UPM Tilhill. This gave local naturalists an opportunity to understand the thinking behind the removal of trees and scrub and to express their particular concerns for the survival of bats and Dormice alongside the line.
Railtrack explained that Health & Safety was the motivator and that the work programme had in fact been brought forward because train drivers had complained to their union about poor visibility along this section of the network. Drivers need clear sightlines to ensure the safety of passengers, should there be an obstruction on the line, and that of track maintenance crews and people or vehicles on level crossings. In addition, the amount of wood and foliage falling onto the line, causing possible interruption to services, needs to be minimized.
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