Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Noisy Christmas thanks to Network Rail
Network Rail have informed residents that they intend to carry out tree and vegetation removal over Christmas from 7am on Christmas day until 2am on Friday 27th. This is a continuation of previous work carried out between Finsbury Park station and Ally Pally station.
This work will involve the use of chain saws, strimmers and wood chippers so will be noisy.
This work isn’t urgent and doesn’t involve replacing or repairing the track so why does it have to be carried out over the Christmas holiday potentially causing a lot of disturbance to residents?
This type of work has been carried out on a number of occasions over the last few months, just because the railways grind to a halt over Christmas doesn’t mean that this noisy, non-urgent work has to be done over Christmas. It’s a case of what is convenient for Network Rail and its contractors and sod the residents.
Tags for Forum Posts: network rail, trees
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Markc on
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It's safer to do it while the railway is closed, as it will be during that time period.
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Permalink Reply by Konrad B on
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I agree it is safer to do the work when the trains aren’t running, but does this mean that it is absolutely essential to do this non-urgent work over the Christmas holiday. Since August, Network Rail have carried out this work on nine occasions without any apparent problems, so why can’t they leave Christmas alone.
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The trees and other vegetation in questions provide an acoustic barrier between the tracks and local residents houses year round. My flat on Wightman backs onto the tracks and from April to October used to be quite well insulated from the train noise thanks to the trees and their leaves. Over the years the number of trees has been intermittently reduced to the point whereby i now have a few bare twigs between my flat the the tracks. I may well return from Christmas to find these last vestiges removed. Network Rail show no concern for the effect this has on residents. Nor the effect it has on local wildlife, so I have zero expectation of them giving two hoots about the impact of works over Christmas on local residents.
In other news, don't let the B**** get you down, and have a merry Christmas none the less.
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I get your point about the vegetation providing an acoustic barrier and of course it is nicer to have a view of trees rather than the railway. It also of course not good to lose wildlife habitat.
However, looking at it from Network Rail's perspective, their duty is to keep the railway open. From an operational perspective they would probably rather there were no trees adjacent to the railway as that would eliminate the risk of them falling onto the tracks or bringing down overhead wires in bad weather.
The work will be carried out at Christmas because the railway is closed. There is very limited engineering access on the East Coast Main Line so to work as safely as possible, they need to take opportunities to work when no trains are running.
On the plus side, vegetation will grow back in the spring and summer, hopefully restoring some habitat and part of the acoustic barrier.
Have a good Christmas, hope the noise isn't too disruptive.
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Permalink Reply by Giovanna iozzi
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Hi there, our group the Haringey Tree Protectors has been in a process of negotiation with NR about this work with the Tree Council since the summer which unfortunately has been a huge waste of time.
Some vegetation grows back, yes, but mature trees won't when chopped in half (which is what NR are doing) or felled to stumps. They're also topping them, which kills them anyway. The 2.5 mile line is an essential connecting nature corridor along Finsbury Park, the Parkland Walk, Ally Pally nature reserve and residents' gardens and other green spaces. It contains bats, red listed birds, owls and other species, (they nest in there and then are observed flying over), we will never know how many species live there as NR own the land and as it's classed as 'maintenance work' there are no proper ecolgical surveys done on the ground. Some of this stretch has not been touched for 20 years, as near our station Haringey, and at New River, where all trees have been chopped down, shocking the residents' asdsociation there. NR have shown utter distain for residents' views. No accidents on this line for over a decade or so.
To be working on Xmas day and beyond is frankly insulting and not essential. They have cut back so much already, destroying habit, it's not certain what is left to destroy. If you're interested in hearing more, email us haringeytreeprotectors@gmail.com
Thanks Gio
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