Railtrack plc

Railtrack plants trees in South London
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date 27 February 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack will begin planting 220 trees as part of a £5,000 project in West Dulwich today.

Following on from 1,000 trees planted in the Selhurst area at Christmas and 400 between Lewisham and Ladywell in the New Year, the scheme reinforces RailtrackÕs commitment to the railway environment in a way which is friendly to both the operating railway and the local area.

To some observers this tree planting may seem a little odd considering the problems Railtrack has every autumn with falling leaves and the scores of trees it has to prune or cut down.

Railtrack Southern Director, Chris Jago said: "It is well known that we do prune and cut down trees to help us combat the problem of leaves on the line. However, it is a little known fact that we do plant trees as well, in fact over 4,000 in the last two years and over 1,000 in the last two months."

The tree varieties being planted in West Dulwich include cherry, hawthorn, holly, dog rose, goat willow, blackthorn, elder and privet. The majority of these trees have small leaves and pose little problem in terms of leaves on the line.

"We are committed to being environmentally friendly and have tried hard in the last year to keep everyone informed when we have had to cut down trees, said Mr Jago. ÒIÕm glad that this replanting scheme balances the needs of the local community and those of the operating railway."

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-02-27 RTK-001