Beginning next month, Network Rail will be carry out vegetation management work on a five-mile stretch of line between Leeds and Outwood in West Yorkshire.

This work will clear trees and vegetation from railway land, reducing the risk of trees falling onto the tracks and causing significant delays for passengers through the notorious ‘leaves on the line’ .

Network Rail’s teams have been working with an independent ecologist to ensure that the impact of the work on the environment is minimal. They will check the area thoroughly for nesting birds and protected species before clearing the vegetation.

The project will begin next month (May 2023) and will continue until March 2024. Trees that pose a risk will be cut back or removed.

Network Rail is holding a public information event so that local residents can find out more about this work.

This will be held at Dewsbury Road Community Hub and Library, 190 Dewsbury Road, Leeds, LS11 6PF on Monday 15 May between 17:30 and 18:45.

A virtual event will also be held via Microsoft Teams Live on Wednesday 17 May 2023 between 17:30 and 18:15. To join the Teams Live event, use this link.

Richard Cunningham, Senior Asset Engineer for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “With 20,000 miles of track and millions of trees growing on the lineside, managing vegetation on the railway is one of our most important safety issues.

“We realise that removing trees and vegetation can impact local communities, however this work is vital to reduce the risks that trees and overgrown vegetation can pose to the railway, including damaging overhead lines, passing trains and obscuring signals. Adverse weather conditions can cause trees to fall onto the tracks, causing thousands of hours of disruption for passengers every year, so this work is essential in order to maintain a safe and reliable railway.

“I would encourage anybody with questions to attend one of our information events, either in-person or online and we will be more than happy to explain our plans in detail.”