FAO: Mark Carne, Chief Executive
Network Rail
Dear Mark,
10 Questions on tree felling, vegetation and biodiversity strategy and standards
I am writing following the recent reports about Network Rail’s tree felling and vegetation maintenance programme.
As you will be aware, there is serious concern that much of the tree-felling and vegetation clearance work is non-urgent and is being carried out with inadequate regard to the presence of birds and other wildlife, including at risk species. I have 10 questions to which I should be grateful for your response, listed below:
1. Are you confident that Network Rail has adequate processes and checks in place to ensure that all vegetation and tree-felling work is being done within the law and with reference to the Wildlife and Countryside Act?
2. The report linked to above states that Network Rail has refused to provide the Guardian with its database of trees or reveal how many of the 10m trees identified alongside the tracks have been earmarked for felling. Is that correct and if so, please can you explain the reasons for refusing to provide this information?
3. The Guardian report also states Network Rail has used drones to create an aerial map of its 40,000 hectares of railway and identified “hotspots” where mature trees might cause a problem at an unspecified time in the future. Please can you list the number and location of these “hotspots”?
4. How many trees did Network Rail remove in the last 12 months? If the exact number is difficult to calculate, please can you provide a rough estimate?
5. How much has Network Rail spent on tree removal in the last 12 months?
6. Do Network Rail engineers and contractors consistently commission high quality ecological surveys before clearing trees/vegetation works?
7. What training do Network Rail’s frontline workforce receive to enable them to undertake clearing activities? What checks are made on the standard of competence of contractors in relation to biodiversity? Does the training standard include, for example, the required knowledge to identify the presence of Protected Species, including birds, bats, dormice, badgers, amphibians and reptiles?
8. How highly does biodiversity feature in your strategic business plans for the next control period? Given the serious concerns that major improvements are needed, will you be re-evaluating this?
9. How many metres from the running lines is vegetation supposed to be maintained/removed in the current and next control period, and are checks being made to ensure that the standard is not being exceeded?
10. Will Network Rail commit to a like for like replacement of trees lost from the network, planted to benefit local communities?
I should be grateful for your response to each of the above questions.
Best wishes,
Caroline
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