Rail Project Guarantees 10% Enhancement in Net Biodiversity

The East West Rail project, connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern, and Western England, is not just about transportation. The project, which is currently underway, has also established Ecological Compensation Sites (ECSs) to protect and reduce the impact on various species and habitats.

A total of 20 ECSs have been created along the route from Bicester to Bletchley. These sites, encompassing 45 ponds, badger setts, a bat house, over 70 bat boxes, and the planting of more than 150,000 plants and trees, are designed to benefit specific species and habitats associated with the East West Rail project.

The Wildlife Trusts aim to achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain for this new railway project in the United Kingdom. This target was committed to in the latest proposals published by the East West Railway Company (EWR Co) in May.

The ECSs created by EWRA have been transformed from low diversity, arable land into purpose-built wildlife havens for invertebrates, butterflies, birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians, otters, and badgers. One of the species that benefit from these sites is the rare black hairstreak butterfly. The Barbastelle bats, a rare species of mammals in the UK listed as Near Threatened on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, also find refuge in these ECSs.

Another significant species that benefits from these ECSs is the black poplar tree, the most endangered native timber tree in Britain. The EWR Co Director, Mark Cuzner, stated that reducing the project's environmental impact was a crucial factor in its design and construction.

The government has also shown its support for the project, confirming over £10m to protect vital transport services in Greater Manchester, including trams and trains. The ECSs will be returned to third-party landowners or Network Rail after the project's completion.

EWRA has been working closely with ecologists, engineering designers, and construction teams to preserve or improve habitats at every opportunity. The company's commitment to environmental work does not end with the completion of the project. EWR Co is committed to continuing environmental work along their new project.

The success of the ECSs created by EWRA is evident. These sites are proving to be a huge success in preserving and enhancing the local biodiversity, making the East West Rail project a significant step towards sustainable infrastructure development.