Network Rail and The Tree Council are marking the fifth anniversary of the planting of traditional “railway hedges” at Hadley Wood station in North London.

Network Rail planted the hedgerows in 2019, the year after criticism of the clearance of lineside areas at the station prompted the government to commission John Varley to conduct an independent review of how Network Rail could better manage lineside environments and enhance biodiversity.

Hadley Wood Association and Hadley Wood Rail User Group both campaigned on behalf of local communities following the lineside vegetation clearance.

The Varley Review made several recommendations, including managing the lineside as an asset, improving communication with local communities, and changing Network Rail’s culture around valuing nature and the environment. The Tree Council is helping to deliver these recommendations.

In the years since then, Network Rail has planted thousands of trees around the country, with The Tree Council acting as its ‘critical friend’, advising on how to improve the way it manages vegetation along the railways.

The Council, founded in 1974, is a charity that co-ordinates and supports the work of local groups in planting and preserving trees.

More about Hadley Wood railway station

Hadley Wood station is in the London Borough of Enfield, on the border with Hertfordshire, ten miles north of King’s Cross and in Travelcard Zone 6. Great Northern manages the station, which is on one of Britain’s busiest main line rail routes.

With the involvement of community groups, the cleared areas at Hadley Wood were returned to nature through the planting of hedgerows, which have now grown to well over head height.

Hadley Wood’s hedgerows are made up of various species, including hawthorn, hazel, guelder rose, blackthorn and dogwood. Contractors and volunteers planted them using various different techniques.

Under the 1842 Railway Act, rail company have to protect their lines from livestock with either fencing or hedges.

Although fences provide the barrier required by law, hedges also increase biodiversity, provide wildlife habitats, help to tackle flooding and create snow barriers.

The five-year-long partnership between Network Rail and The Tree Council won the Sustainability and Environmental Excellence Award at the 2024 Rail Business Awards last month.

Network Rail Chair Peter Hendy said, “It’s wonderful to see how the landscape at Hadley Wood has developed in the last five years. It’s a great reflection of the work and care shown by The Tree Council, the many community volunteers and our own colleagues at Network Rail. We’ve travelled a long way as a railway in understanding how we can use our land to improve biodiversity, and run a safe and reliable railway, and The Tree Council has helped us every step on that journey.”

Jon Stokes, Director of Trees, Science and Research at The Tree Council, and Chair of Hedgelink, added, “Animals and plants like edges, because there’s light and security – it’s why you find the busiest areas of biodiversity in woodland to be along the margins. A hedge is nothing but edge, so it’s perfect.

“We know practically we can’t put hedges along every mile of railway boundary – that would be over 20,000 miles – but if we could get even some way to that, it would be a huge win for the country’s biodiversity.”

Network Rail’s biodiversity strategy manager, Dr Neil Strong, commented: “Trees drop leaves and fall on tracks, but managing our trees well is so much better than simply removing them. The State of Nature report 2023 showed a 19% decline in UK species since 1970 and the railway has a huge part to play in helping reverse that by linking areas of wildlife through places that are otherwise short on green space. Hedges provide the perfect cover for small animals and food for pollinators, without who we would be unable to grow food or survive as a species.”

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman said: “It’s great to see the positive impact hedgerows are having in Hadley Wood, forming a corridor for wildlife to thrive along one of the country’s busiest railway lines while reducing noise pollution for local residents. I hope to see more schemes like this up and down the country as Network Rail continues to help make the rail network greener.”

Robert Wilson, Chair of Hadley Wood Association, said, “Our community is determined to preserve our green environment and support good growth. As managers of the surrounding woods and fields, the HWA are delighted that Network Rail is continuing their partnership with The Tree Council for further stages of the national hedgerow planting trial on the trackside through the heart of Hadley Wood.”

A spokesperson for Hadley Wood Rail User Group (HWRUG), said: “HWRUG was founded to campaign for an accessible entrance to platform four, which was opened in May 2017. Since then, we have continued to work with partners to enhance our station and maintain our train services. This is our second collaboration with The Tree Council and Network Rail, and we are delighted to be part of the development and planting of this magnificent new hedgerow, which not only lifts everyone’s spirits but also benefits wildlife and will become a model for the future management of the railways.”