With autumn weather approaching – Network Rail faces a new set of challenges. One of the biggest issues during this season is the accumulation of leaves, branches, and even entire trees on the tracks due to wind and rain, as well as the shedding of leaves from lineside trees.
This can negatively impact both safety and performance. Across the Wales and Borders route, teams are diligently working to mitigate the risks posed by leaf-fall this autumn.
A significant example of this effort is on the Wrexham to Bidston line, also known as the Borderlands line, where an extensive tree and vegetation management programme is underway. Teams have been working through the night for the past few weeks and will continue for several more weeks to remove trees that pose a safety risk at every station between Wrexham General and Hawarden Bridge.
Poplar, ash, and sycamore trees, which are common near the railway, are being removed as their leaf-fall can affect trains’ braking systems.
Adrian Jones, Network Rail project manager for this project, said:
“We recognise that small-scale maintenance was not keeping the vegetation on this line under safe control, and that a more structured approach was required. We also identified a number of diseased or dying trees that could cause a risk to the railway and surrounding area if not removed.
“We only want to remove trees that are a safety risk to the operational railway. All other trees more than six metres from the outer running rail will be sensitively reduced by pruning.”
Once the work is completed in late October, the need for maintenance will continue but will be significantly reduced. Network Rail also plans to replant native trees of local origin in appropriate areas, such as community woodlands. Additionally, bird and bat boxes are being provided to ensure local wildlife have secure homes.
Adrian added: “At Network Rail, we take ecology incredibly seriously, and our in-house ecologists have carried out extended habitat surveys, with additional ground-level assessments for bats. This allows us to work in a sympathetic way to the surrounding areas and wildlife while we carry out our essential work.
“When we’re finished, the overall result will be a much safer railway for both passengers and railway staff.”
Jeremy Williams, Transport for Wales rail route officer for the Wrexham to Bidston line, said: “It’s great to see this targeted investment on the line by Network Rail. We know the impact vegetation along the side of the tracks can have on our trains, particularly during the autumn and winter, with tree-strikes and wheel damage.”
Image & Video credit: Network Rail
