A £1 million vegetation management initiative is currently in progress on the Heart of Wales line, aimed at minimising delays and cancellations caused by fallen trees.
This 12-week project, spanning 60 miles of track, was scheduled before Storm Darragh hit in December, which resulted in over 56 trees falling within a 10-mile stretch. The storm caused the line to be closed for nearly a week as Network Rail teams managed more than 70 fallen trees, with around 30 uprooted.
The vegetation management work, conducted overnight from Monday to Thursday until March 28, required extensive planning due to the complex ecology along the line.
This effort is part of a broader five-year investment to enhance the safety, resilience, and reliability of the entire Wales & Borders route.
From Craven Arms to Llandrindod, all structures within 300 meters on both sides will be cleared, and every station will be cleared within 600 meters on both sides. From Llandrindod to Llandovery, the work will be less invasive, focusing mainly on removing overhanging branches near the line.
The project is being executed by a combination of Network Rail staff and local contractors.
Dale Caviell, Network Rail maintenance engineer and the project lead, said: “Ecology has played a key part in planning this work. The Heart of Wales line serves such a rural area, which is a hotspot for many different species including dormice, bats, badgers, and newts – the conditions are more or less perfect for them.
“We have been working with Natural Resources Wales and our in-house ecology team to make sure the work can go ahead safely and legally. There are no habitat restrictions over the first 32 miles, from Craven Arms to Llandrindod. For the remaining 28 miles, the work will be far less invasive.
“This project will really tidy up the Heart of Wales line, helping to reduce delays and cancellations, with the real benefits likely to be felt next autumn and winter.”
Image credit: Network Rail