Network Rail’s Southern region has joined forces with national conservation charity The Tree Council to plant 25,000 trees and shrubs by the end of March.
Network Rail has pledged £1 million to set up local planting schemes across Kent, Sussex, south London, Surrey and Hampshire over the next three years as part of its commitment to create green spaces for local communities. The first year target of 10,000 trees and shrubs by the end of March has been more than doubled, with 25,000 expected to be planted and thousands more by 2024.
John Halsall, managing director of Network Rail Southern region, said: “We run almost a third of Britain’s rail services and we’re committed to doing that in a way that uses less energy, cuts carbon emissions and waste and creates cleaner air for people and passengers.
“We’re so excited to be working with The Tree Council and our local communities in the south to create sustainable green spaces that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
“By working together, we have a real opportunity, not only to create diverse habitats that enhance and protect our wildlife, but also to protect the safe and reliable running of the railway for our passengers.”
As one of the south’s biggest guardians of green spaces, we’ve been trialling new ways to make sure the land along the 3,000 miles of track we look after is protected, and improved, for future generations.
As part of a pilot scheme in Kent, we’re the first in the UK to test different methods for managing vegetation. Instead of trees lining the tracks, mixtures of wildflowers, hedgerows and grassland are being trialled, which is helping us strike a balance between creating rich and diverse habitats and reducing the delays caused by leaves on the line and fallen trees.
The new partnership with The Tree Council will give local people the money, materials and guidance they need to plant and nurture thousands of trees in their communities, on third-party land, while encouraging Network Rail colleagues to volunteer at these local projects.
Sara Lom, CEO of The Tree Council, said: “We welcome this pledge from Network Rail Southern region as part of their wider sustainability strategy. As the umbrella charity for the UK tree sector, we are delighted to have the opportunity to join with volunteers and local communities to plant and care for more trees and hedgerows across the country. Working together, we will create beautiful green spaces that benefit people, wildlife and the planet both now and into the future.”
Alongside the planting of trees, a biodiversity study in partnership with research bodies will run to assess the benefits of the tree planting for local wildlife and nature.
The tree planting is among dozens of sustainability initiatives, including the creation of 50 new nature reserves, railway sleepers made from recycled plastic in Wiltshire, renewable energy solutions like new solar panels to power Denmark Hill station, vegetable oil being used an alternative to diesel, and huge recycling gains.
The Southern region is now recycling 80% of our waste, up 20% on last year, while at Victoria station we’re recycling over 90% of all waste, an approach being rolled out to our stations and depots. We’re also changing our car fleet by rolling out zero-emission vehicles across the region, starting with our London cars.
Photo credit: Network Rail
