NR to plant thousands of trees

Network Rail says it plans to plant 80,000 trees before March.

The infrastructure manager made the announcement on December 4, when it published its biodiversity action plan that sets out how the company will meet its target of no net loss in biodiversity on its lineside estate by 2024 and to increase it by 2035.

NR will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the type and condition of biodiversity assets across the rail network, including species and habitats.

By 2023, its routes will produce State of Nature reports, which will follow annually. There will also be action plans for routes, and a steering group will be established to report performance to the Office of Rail and Road.

The tree planting programme will cost £1 million and is being managed by The Tree Council. It will involve planting trees in communities from the Wirral to Worcester.

The first 20,000 will be in the ground by Christmas, with another 60,000 planted by the end of March 2021 and tens of thousands more to follow, says NR.