Network Rail has announced that it has converted a temporary work site into a wildlife protection area in Finedon, Northamptonshire.
Located just off Finedon Station Road, the land was previously used as a site for engineers while they were doing major electrification as part of the massive Midland Main Line modernization project that was completed in April 2021.
Network Rail and Amey worked together to create the first specific habitat, part of an ingenious project that managed protected species and kept wildlife safe for years.
Approximately 40,000 tons of material were removed from the site before the team could begin the landscaping necessary to create the reserve. The removed material is now being used by local companies and also as part of another construction site, so that nothing ends up in landfills.
Credit: Network Rail
The nature reserve will have ponds that offer the crested newts the right habitat. The habitat will also include grasslands, wetlands, and also open forests that attract birds, butterflies, and bees.
The multi-layered project was planned very carefully by Network Rail, on the one hand to offer passengers faster and more reliable train connections and on the other hand to increase biodiversity and also to reduce the impact of the huge project on wildlife.
Freshwater Habitats Trust designed the site and specializes in amphibious habitat creation with an extreme focus on Great Crested Newts.
Network Rail will oversee the day-to-day management of the reserve. The site is not made accessible to the public, which helps protect both animals and vegetation.
Credit: Network Rail
Tara Scott, Track Infrastructure Engineer at Network Rail, said: “While we do important work to improve the railroad, we continue to look for innovative ways to promote biodiversity. We are committed to transforming this land in Finedon into a wildlife area after its use – and it’s great to see progress on our first new habitat.
“We would also like to thank the residents who live near the Finedon Station Road site for their patience while the major rail improvements took place. Now the work site is gone, the new location will attract wild animals to the area. “
Michael Whitehead, senior environmentalist at Amey Consulting, said: “We have used our environmental consulting know-how to create diverse ecological habitats in order to support the path from Network Rail to Biodiversity Net Gain. This project is a strong example of sustainable thinking with clear benefits for the local environment and neighboring communities as well as a CO2 reduction in the planned planting of trees and the reuse of all clean technical filling materials on the site. “
Cllr Harriet Pentland, North Northamptonshire Council Executive Member for Climate and Green Environment, said: “Protecting our green environment is a top priority for the Council and we are keen to work with partners to ensure this happens in the region.
“We are delighted that this former site has been transformed into a wilderness ideal for supporting an abundance of wildlife. This is not only important for nature, it also enriches our lives.
“The project also resulted in materials being skilfully reused to keep them from being landfilled – an innovative way of reducing our environmental impact.”
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