Replanting trees will help towards with the impact on the landscape surrounding which saw a loss of trees and plant species following the massive landslip which saw 7,000 tonnes of earth and spoil swamp the railway from the slope above after heavy rainfall.

The replanting will represent an investment of over £100,000 in order to alleviate the loss of biodiversity in the surrounding landscape and will also work towards offsetting the carbon impact created during the project to restore the slope.

The project will also see the installation of raised planted beds which will feature native plants and hedging across several different levels of the regraded slope. The planting will also offer improvements visually following the considerable remedial work that has taken place after the slip.

A range of species compatible with a railway environment will be used in the planting, all of which have good root systems which will further support the stability of the regraded slope. The planting will also aid the lineside move from species-poor to a species-rich area which will support local wildlife.

The planting has been designed so that continual access for visual inspection can still be carried out at the site in order to maintain the ongoing safety and integrity of the location.

Thomas Podger, Project Manager, commented:

“While our priority is always the safety and performance of the railway, this project demonstrates how we manage the lineside environment in a way that promotes biodiversity.

“Improving safety and performance on the railway is important but it’s great to show that this can be done while making a positive impact on the environment.”