Network Rail has announced that badgers are set to keep their homes along the railway as the railway works around them.

Network Rail knows it is important to coexist happily with lineside neighbours, even more so when they are a protected species.

Ecologists in the last year along have worked under license at more than 50 locations across Scotland to protect badgers from the railway to make sure they come to no harm.

Ahead of major work, Network Rail carries out environmental surveys which will identify the presence of any protected habitats and species at a very early stage in the project. This information is used to help avoid any delays to upgrade works as well as any additional costs.

Badgers are commonly found along the railway network and create homes in embankments and many other areas of railway land.

What did the officials say?

James Morrison, a Network Rail ecologist on the Scotland route said;

“We always consider wildlife and the environment ahead of major projects so  we can approach the work in a way that minimises any environmental  impact and helps avoid risk and delay for the project overall.

“Providing simple environmental information enables us to design the railway and deliver projects in a way that considers wildlife already living around it. This saves a lot of time and money and means that any impacted wildlife or habitats can be avoided and, in this case, badgers can keep their homes.

“It is part of Network Rail’s considerate approach to the protecting its lineside and to supporting wildlife and habitats on and around our infrastructure and another example of how we have and will continue to promote biodiversity and the wider environment through our work.”

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