Tree Clearance during nesting season

[eMeS]

On Channel 4 news a short time ago:

"Channel 4 News has filmed Network Rail contractors clearing woods at the side of the railway during bird nesting season – something which conservation groups warn could be a breach of the law.

The company, which says it aims to conduct tree clearance work outside of the bird nesting season, claims that rail side woodland is carefully inspected for birds’ nests before trees are felled...."

http://blogs.channel4.com/tom-clarke-on-science/network-rail-breaching-law-cutting-trees/1765

Surely the training for the safe use of chain saws in professional use must include not just the "how" to use safely, but "when" their use is permitted.

 

[Bald Rick]

Key word there is "could".

AIUI, you can cut down trees at any time of year, as long as an appropriate assessment has been made re the potential effect on nesting birds.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I am led to believe that the thread matter of discussion was indeed one that Balfour Beatty, the nominated contractor to the Leigh Guided Busway project, scheduled their works programme of ground clearance around on the line of the former Tyldesley Loop Line that forms part of the former railway section of that project.

 

[boing_uk]

AIUI, you can cut down trees at any time of year, as long as an appropriate assessment has been made re the potential effect on nesting birds.

Correct. Although it is good practice to get any such vegetation assessed by a suitably qualified ecological professional at any time of year prior to work starting.