Network Rail plants 21,000 trees and shrubs near Dartmoor Line

Picture of Charlie Rothwell

Share:

Network Rail plants 21,000 trees and shrubs near Dartmoor Line

Share:

Picture of Charlie Rothwell

Share:

Okehampton ecology project (1)
Okehampton ecology project. // Credit: Network Rail

As part of an initiative to promote the growth of native species of flora and fauna, hazel, hawthorn, oak, silver birch, mountain ash and honeysuckle trees have all been planted in a site close to , in .

This represents the first phase in a multi-phase project, which will see more trees and shrubs being planted over the course of the year.

The , which goes from Crediton to Okehampton, was reopened by in 2021 and hourly through services between Exeter and Okehampton were introduced in 2022, operated by Great Western Railway.

Train at Okehampton Railway Station
Train at Okehampton Railway Station // Credit: The Dartmoor Line

[ruby_related heading=”Read Next” total=3 layout=1]

Prior to 2021, only heritage services and summer special Great Western Railway services ran along the Dartmoor Line, following the earlier withdrawal of passenger services in 1972.

As part of the re-introduction of regular national rail services on the line, Network Rail is working with Natural England to protect the in the area.

This latest environmental work will give a habitat to species such as the hazel dormice.

The site will continue to be managed carefully, so that the ecology work benefits local wildlife long into the future.

Okehampton rainbow. // Credit: Network Rail
Okehampton rainbow. // Credit: Network Rail

We take care to look after the environment around the railway and this is an important milestone in Okehampton.

Reopening the Dartmoor Line was a great achievement and this ecology work will bring even more benefits to the area.

Phil Spruce, Network Rail project manager

Responses

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Now finish the job and re-open the route to Tavistock. That will benefit the environment even more by offering people an alternative to their cars.

Related Articles