Vegetation clearance

[Mag_seven]

I'm up in Scotland for a few days and just happened to have noticed that the approaches to Glasgow central have weeds growing between the tracks almost everywhere. Come on NR - get your act together and clear it - it looks like an eastern European country after the fall of the Berlin wall!

 

[Carntyne]

The weedkiller train is running around at the moment I believe.

 

[Greenback]

The vegetation grows very quickly a this time of year.

 

[snowball]

I'm not sure how long this Trees page has existed on NR's website:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/commu...aring-railway-wildlife/trees-and-the-railway/

Among other things it gives a percentage breakdown of railway trees by species.

I first saw it a week ago when this press release came out:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds/trees-and-the-railway/

Trees and the railway

With around 10 million trees on our railway network, we link up with environmental organisations for best practice and research.
Did you know?

Our aerial survey and tree census database completed in March 2017 means we can target specific trees for vegetation management.
Many of the older trees on our network are important habitats for wildlife, and some are protected by legislation.
We liaise with Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural Resources Wales, Defra, Tree Council, Woodland Trust, the Wildlife Trusts and Forestry Commission among other organisations.
We are linking up with Woodland Trust, Defra, Forest Research and Cardiff University to help fund research into factors affecting the cause and spread of ash dieback disease, and offering our tree stock to help with the investigations.
We have a number of tree planting initiatives to help offset biodiversity lost due to work we’ve carried out.
In the Avon Gorge on the Portishead railway line there are six rare species of whitebeam trees on the cliffs above the River Avon that can’t be found anywhere else. We have to manage these carefully.
The biggest trees on the network are an avenue of coast redwoods (seccoyas) either side of the railway near Bradford on Avon station, which are likely to date back to when the railway was built in the 1830s.

You can find out about all this and more on our trees web page

(The quotation fails to show that there are several links embedded in the text of the press release.)

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

The attached was Llanrwst when I was up there on Sunday.

I was quite surprised so much has grown.

 

[theageofthetra]

Definitely worse than in previous years. Have NR cut back on weed killing to save money or are the modern pesticides completely useless?

 

[snowball]

Press release:

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/feeds...sent-vegetation-management-plans-in-cheshire/

Network Rail is inviting Cheshire residents to a series of information events to find out more about upcoming railway vegetation work on the 17 mile stretch of railway between Crewe and Dutton.

The work, which will take place during daylight hours between Monday and Friday from July until the end of the year, is required to keep train passengers and staff safe.

Last year around 1,000 trains collided with fallen trees or large branches – a number Network Rail is keen to reduce. Each year there are many more instances of trees and branches blocking or closing lines, disrupting train passengers’ journeys.

Cutting vegetation back a safe distance from the tracks enables train drivers to clearly see signals – the traffic lights of the railway – and to spot potential hazards as soon as possible.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We encourage our lineside neighbours to come along to understand the work we are doing and any impact it will have on them.

“Our project team will be there to answer any questions from residents and address any concerns they may have.

“Vegetation management is an essential part of railway maintenance and this work is crucial to keeping both trains and passengers safe on the network.”

At the three events in Crewe, Northwich and Winsford Network Rail staff will be on hand to explain why this work is so important for railway safety and how they will tackle the challenge in this area.

From 4-7pm on Tuesday 27 June 2017 at What’s Happening On North Street, North Street, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 4NJ.

From 4-7pm on Wednesday 28 June 2017 at St. John’s Church Centre, School Lane, Hartford, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 1NP.

From 4-7pm on Monday 3 July 2017 at Wharton Conservative Club, 34 School Road, Winsford, Cheshire, CW7 3AH.

For further information contact Network Rail’s national helpline on 03457 114 141.

Dutton is near Weaver Junction.

 

[Deepgreen]

Definitely worse than in previous years. Have NR cut back on weed killing to save money or are the modern pesticides completely useless?

"Pesticides" will have no effect on vegetation (except, possibly, to make them healthier by removing their insect residents!) - 'herbicides' are used to control weeds.

 

[delt1c]

I'm up in Scotland for a few days and just happened to have noticed that the approaches to Glasgow central have weeds growing between the tracks almost everywhere. Come on NR - get your act together and clear it - it looks like an eastern European country after the fall of the Berlin wall!

i have traveled widely in eastern europe and never found this to be the case, where does your comparison come from

 

[Paul180]

i have traveled widely in eastern europe and never found this to be the case, where does your comparison come from

Try the Tunnel of Love in the Ukrainian for a start!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_of_Love_(railway)

 

[delt1c]

Try the Tunnel of Love in the Ukrainian for a start!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunnel_of_Love_(railway)

looks good and will put that in my calander for a future visit.

 

[delt1c]

which line was OP refering to

 

[Envoy]

I phoned Network Rail yesterday to inform them about an infestation of Japanese Knotweed. Now is the time to hit this invasive plant - whilst it is in full growth as the herbicide can be absorbed by the leaves and hence pass down to the roots. (Not sure how things are going with the bugs that are supposed to destroy these plants). The Buddlehias are also a terrible pest plant. Once those mauve flowers turn brown, they have become seeds which then get dispersed by the wind and slipstream of passing trains and you get zillions more.

 

[DarloRich]

if only it was as easy as simply spraying knotweed with herbicide.............

 

[Ploughman]

Today's news on R2 says that a proposal to ban Glyhosate is now being looked at.

 

[markem41]

Is it actually a problem to have vegetation growing between the rails? To my eye it looks a lot more appealing than concrete sleepers! In Manchester at Deansgate/Castlefield Metrolink stop they have incorporated trays of plants between the tracks as part of the overall design and it provides a nicer environment.

 

[Bevan Price]

Is it actually a problem to have vegetation growing between the rails? To my eye it looks a lot more appealing than concrete sleepers! In Manchester at Deansgate/Castlefield Metrolink stop they have incorporated trays of plants between the tracks as part of the overall design and it provides a nicer environment.

It will probably make drainage less effective after heavy rain (by partly blocking the gaps between lumps of ballast stone.)

Now what we need is a few more steam specials during dry spells -- a few lineside fires were an effective control of vegetation in the steam era....

 

[markem41]

...it would probably attract wildlife as well. How about green sleepers and use coloured ballast?

 

[westcoaster]

Saw a pair of giant hogweed's today, duly reported to NR