East West Rail Aims for 10% Increase in Net Biodiversity throughout Project
In a significant move, the government has pledged over £10 million to safeguard vital transport services in Greater Manchester, including trams and trains. Meanwhile, across the country, another major project is underway with a focus on environmental conservation.
The East West Rail project, connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern, and Western England, has announced a target of 10% biodiversity net gain. This ambitious goal is being spearheaded by the East West Railway Company (EWR Co) and Network Rail, the organization setting the target.
Network Rail aims to achieve this through a series of measures, including habitat creation such as wildflowers on station roofs, rainwater catchment, solar panels, and protecting areas like Hobson’s Park from development. These initiatives are designed to enhance biodiversity along the rail link.
EWR Co has reiterated its commitment to the 10% biodiversity net gain target in its latest proposals, published in May. Along the route from Bicester to Bletchley, 20 Ecological Compensation Sites (ECSs) have been created. These sites, after the completion of the project, will be returned to third-party landowners or Network Rail for maintenance.
The ECSs created by EWRA are proving to be successful, and management plans are in place to ensure their continued flourishing. These sites have been transformed into wildlife havens for a diverse range of species, including invertebrates, butterflies, birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians, otters, and badgers.
Moreover, the ECSs are specifically designed to support endangered or rare species such as black poplar trees, the rare black hairstreak butterfly, and barbastelle bats. EWRA has been working closely with ecologists, engineering designers, and construction teams to preserve or improve habitats along the new project.
Mark Cuzner, Director of EWRA, stated that reducing the project's environmental impact was a crucial factor in its design and construction. The East West Rail project is designed to benefit a variety of species and habitats, making it a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure development in the UK.
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