Network Rail has completed a pioneering two-year biodiversity project with Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) near the Glenfinnan viaduct which has seen £300k invested into the West Highlands.
Network Rail says the move has been in recognition of the impact safety-critical tree and vegetation management work across the Scottish rail network has had on:
- Animals
- Plants
- Fungi
- Microorganisms
Protect, restore and expand
The project has involved planting trees across 200 hectares to protect, restore and expand rainforest and peatland habitats. At Ardmolich, deer fencing has been installed to protect the newly planted native woodlands from over grazing.
“We’re delighted to have worked with FLS to protect and enhance Scotland’s unique natural environment,” said Network Rail Scotland’s managing director, Liam Sumpter.
“To date, this has been the most ambitious biodiversity enhancement project undertaken by Network Rail in Scotland.”
Sumpter added: “This project has enabled us to balance the removal of trees and vegetation elsewhere on the railway on a scale that would not be possible by replanting purely within our own boundaries. The long-term result of this activity is expected to be an uplift in biodiversity across the project area.”
International importance
The project sits within Scotland’s endangered Atlantic rainforest zone, which is an area of international importance for biodiversity habitats.
CEO at FLS, Kevin Quinlan, commented: “Part of the dramatic setting of the Glenfinnan viaduct, this area holds several environmental and landscape designations and contains habitats of national and international importance.
“We have been exploring corporate partnerships for a while and our work with Network Rail at this site is a very good example of what can be achieved with this collaborative approach.”
Image credit: Network Rail
