London Wildlife Trust welcomes the London Assembly report on the management of railway linesides published today. On the right lines? highlights the importance of London’s railways for wildlife; over 1000 hectares are identified as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, and they support important populations of species such as lizard, slow-worm (both protected), woodpeckers, kestrel and wren.
Critically the report recommends that Network Rail and Transport for London should:
- communicate more specific detail about maintenance work to local residents
- work more closely with the London Biodiversity Partnership.
Network Rail and Transport for London both have Biodiversity Action Plans in place, but we have been concerned that these are not always being implemented, nor are actions on the ground indicative of a strategic approach being taken. Transport for London (through London Underground) are a supportive member of the London Biodiversity Partnership, but Network Rail – which owns and manages the bulk of the capital’s surface linesides – have yet to play a role. The Trust is concerned that the ecological assets under their control are not being managed as effectively as they could, to the benefit of wildlife and Londoners.
The Trust recommended, amongst other issues:
- That a compact of operational best practice between key stakeholders (e.g. London Tree Officers Association, London Forum (of civic amenity societies) that sets out what should be undertaken, and how this can have biodiversity benefits as well as meeting operational requirements, could serve to develop a stronger relationship between organisations that are affected by the impacts of such management.
- Transport for London and Network Rail should commit to manage appropriately – and where possible protect from significant loss or damage – the Sites of Nature Conservation Importance identified on their respective networks, and work with partners to identify new SINCs where appropriate.
- Transport for London and Network Rail are responsible for a strategically important ecological resource across London, and as such they can contribute to a number of strategic frameworks and programmes – such as the London (and local) Biodiversity Action Plans, London Climate Change Partnership, All London Green Grid, and potentially the future Local Nature Partnerships and relevant Nature Improvement Areas. We would support active engagement with these where possible.
- We recommend that Network Rail seeks an arrangement with Greenspace Information for Greater London (as has Transport for London) to supply and manage ecological data that can help serve the strategic needs of both the railways and the conservation sector.
- We believe there are opportunities to develop more nature reserves along a number of linesides, along the lines of New Cross Gate Cutting, and would be keen to discuss this further.
- The division between Transport for London and Network Rail does not make for effective co-operation or communication of lineside management issues, even along corridors where both companies are involved. A clearer communication chain for organisations such as London Wildlife Trust would be useful – we would want to work in partnership, rather than act as a conduit of complaint.
London Wildlife Trust manages New Cross Gate Cutting as a nature reserve on behalf of Network Rail, and part of a Site of Metropolitan Importance for Nature Conservation that stretches south to Forest Hill.
For more information, please view the London Assembly's video report and full PDF.