Network Rail has started an extensive vegetation management programme to clear 250 kilometres of the Edinburgh-Glasgow and Borders railway lines.
The work is part of the first phase of a wider programme of vegetation management programmes across the Scottish railway.
Ayrshire-based QTS has been awarded a contract to deliver the first year of the programme, which will see trees and vegetation cleared up to six metres either side of the tracks on land within the railway boundary.
Following this process, the railway will undergo an annual maintenance programme to control vegetation growth.
Rail services will not be affected by the work.
Douglas Craig, Network Rail programme director, said:
“We manage thousands of kilometres of trees and vegetation along the railway and programmes like this are essential to providing a safe and reliable service for our customers.”
“Elements of this work can only be delivered at night for safety reasons and the teams are always mindful of the impact their work may have and will try to minimise any disruption for nearby residents.”
Ecological surveys were performed before work began, which identified any nest eggs, protected species or sensitive habitat sites which may be disrupted.
Ecologists will continue to monitor protected species living near to the railway as the work is delivered.
A programme of diversity enhancements, including the installation of bat and bird boxes and habitat piles, will also be delivered.
Image credit: Network Rail
