Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Amazonian scale tree clearances on our railway embankment?
Yes, I know, rather a Daily Mail style of a headline. I changed it half way through writing having come across this picture of work going on further north.
This topic started in another conversation on the site where it was mentioned that some of the trees between the railway and Wightman Road/New River have been cut down.
I pointed to a case I'd seen recently in Enfield where Network Rail had completely cut back all the trees to stop them damaging a railway bank and I mused on whether a similar fate might not await us.
I've just received an update from another local website where a similar issue is of concern following a complete clearance (pictured above). A local in that area is a retired civil engineer and has put together a report on the practice of tree clearance on railway banks, a copy of which I have attached.
It seems like the work goes on with limited consultation with the council and NO consultation with the local community. So, unless we're all happy with the stretch along the New River and running along the backs of houses looking like the picture above, it may be worth someone making some pre-emptive contact with Network Rail.
These clearances are a huge shock to local communities when they happen. Look at the level of attendance at a recent meeting related to this issue in N21 (photo published as original):
I'm afraid I don't got the time to lead anything on this, but surely forewarned, we'd be daft not to get ahead of the game. Perhaps one for our councillors?
Tags for Forum Posts: embankment, railway, trees
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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Ok I've dropped a note to our three councillors, Council cabinet member Nilgun Canver, Council Leader Claire Kober, David Lammy and GLA member Joanne McCartney. So as well as holding ourselves accountable for any lack of action we can hold them accountable also. Now, that decorating.........
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Permalink Reply by Karen Alexander on
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Thanks very much for this - certainly wouldn't want that to happen on our railway banks thats for sure. I am in contact with Network Rail and will continue to liaise with them on this issue.
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Just had a quick gander at the report produced by the retired civil engineer in N21. In it he links to a 2003 Times article which suggest that my headline may be less hysterical than I thought. Referring to work planed at the time, the article says
According to estimates by Network Rail consultants, the total area of vegetation lost will be equivalent to the size of the 30-square mile Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.
The article explains that Network Rail are taking:
a “more aggressive” approach, saying sycamore, ash and birch should be singled out because of the sliminess of their leaves and brittleness of their twigs
Sycamore? Isn't that what lines the banks in Harringay?
Accused back then of acting without consulting communities, the eight year old article continues with:Network Rail said this weekend that it would in future consult all local communities before work started.
But apparently things haven't changed in this respect.
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Permalink Reply by Helen Osman on
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Hi Hugh
I was at Network Rail on Thursday afternoon with Peter Johns, to discuss his report with NR's Director of Asset Management. They agree with about 90% of what he writes but say that vegetation can't be used in their stability calculations because it isn't scientifically quantifiable. They recognise that what was done in Grange Park was totally mismanaged and that there have been changes to procedures so that this can't happen again.
Nevertheless, I think you need to be on your guard, if you want details of the people to contact within Network Rail, please let me know. A few local residents were told that Network Rail needed to do some vegetation clearance in the week before the contractors went on site. They didn't conduct proper environmental audits and also certainly have destroyed bat habitats, which is a criminal offence. There are 100 lorries a day bringing soil and stone onto the site, which is a wasteland in the heart of a residential area and the impact on the local community has been devastating.
Whilst Network Rail told us on Thursday that there have been policy changes and that this kind of thing won't happen again, I think this kind of arrogant behaviour will continue, unless there is a root and branch (excuse the metaphor) review of Network Rail's status as a statutory undertaker.
Best wishes
Helen
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Permalink Reply by alex on
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If the tree felling is going on at this time of year it's also likely to be breaking the laws on disturbance of wild birds. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb wild birds. So those carrying out tree works have to show they have inspected trees & hedges thoroughly before starting work. They cannot just claim they were not aware that there was a nest present. In an area that size at this time of year it is pretty much guaranteed there will be nests present. The nesting season is generally considered to be from early march to August and if nesting birds are present then tree work has to be re-scheduled for another time in the year.
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Thanks for your comments Helen. I'm sorry you guys up there have had to deal with all this, but there is an opportunity for us and other areas to benefit from your experiences if we have our wits about us! I'll drop you a line about the NR contacts.
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As an additional note, I've heard complaints from my neighbours on Lothair Road about failure to control vegetation on the embankment here. There is a particular tree which is overshadowing a few people's gardens. I think the issue has been raised several times with the local authorities but no one has paid any attention.
We don't have a tree issue ourselves, but the Japanese knotweed is definitely getting out of control and does somewhat overhang our back fence. I'm sure in past times someone used to come and chop it all down once a year, but it hasn't happened for a while.
In all cases, it seems like residents' concerns don't get much consideration.
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Permalink Reply by Protheroe O'Shea on
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The knotweed is a nightmare!
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If it's the Harringay Knotweed, treasure it. It's a one-off.
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