‘It will destroy everything’ – rare species threatened with destruction

Residents are worried that a thriving green corridor home to a wealth of wildlife could be under threat by Network Rail works.

The company plan to carry out vegetation clearing at Frog Marsh in Easton on July 30 but, according to residents, do not appear to have undertaken the required ecological surveys or neighbourhood consultation.

Community members are concerned after Network Rail demolished another nearby piece of wild embankment, including removal of seven mature trees, in May.

Howard Oakden, a neighbour who monitors the area’s wildlife, is planning a rally at the site of the works on July 30. He said: “This vital green corridor is the crucible of biodiversity in our neighbourhood. Any damage will lead to a complete collapse. It will destroy everything.”

The site is home to slow worms, badgers and foxes, and Oakden recorded his first sighting of a bat flying in daylight over the precise location of the planned works, just days ago

Network Rail announced the work, to take place on All Hallows Road opposite Bannerman Road Community Academy, with a sign erected by Frog Marsh bridge on July 15.

Oakden attempted contact on July 16 and two further occasions but has had no response. “They’ve evaded and ignored me,” he said. “I’ve been completely stonewalled.”

Oakden, who walks his dog in the area every day, has cleared the site of rubbish and fly-tipped debris.

He helped a resident sparrow population, forced to relocate after the council removed a hedgerow during nesting season, to bounce back which has led to sightings of sparrowhawks, buzzards, peregrine falcons and tawny owls visiting to feed.

He has since recorded 22 bird species living on the site, as well as common pipistrelle bats, badgers, foxes, pregnant hedgehogs and hoglets. There are also slow worms and many insects including brightly coloured cinnabar moths and their larvae.

Oakden said the appearance of these creatures is rare in an urban setting; he himself had not spotted a hedgehog in the area for over 20 years.

“All the animals are either nesting or rearing their young right now, so it’s a critical time for nature,” said Oakden. “And this is a critical green corridor. There’s nowhere else for the birds and wildlife to go, within a 600 metre radius of this bank.”

“Network Rail have biodiversity commitments and recognise the trackside is a wildlife hotspot,” said Oakden. “But, as we know from their work on the adjacent embankment earlier this year,, they often just wade-in with chainsaws and no surveys.”

Oakden said he believes the planned work contravenes the council’s biodiversity guidelines, Network Rail’s trackside clearance procedures, and legal obligations.

He said the company are required to record the location of birds and nests on the embankment, providing photographic evidence to support operatives to create exclusion zones around nests.

They must also gain official ecologist sign-off on the lighting used for the work to ensure it doesn’t disturb bat and insect populations, he said.

“They failed to consult neighbours on the work going on overnight next to their houses. They failed to consult local wildlife conservation groups. They have failed to notify the council, as far as I’m aware. And they failed to respond to a simple request asking them what their work plan is,” said Oakden.

“If they don’t follow their own procedures, they’re actually breaking the law. They will be in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 with regard to nesting birds, and the European Habitats Directive for protected species.”

Oakden’s care of the local sparrow population has supported the red-listed species back to health and encouraged other birds to move into the area, increasing the biodiversity of the site

Oakden is also concerned about the impact on Bannerman school. The embankment collects heavy diesel particulate when trains go past, contributing to Easton’s reportedly poor air quality.

Removing vegetation will “severely negatively impact the air quality for the children at the school. There’ll be no buffer, no barrier. Those particulates will flow through every child’s lungs,” said Oakden.

“It’s important that they at least do an air quality assessment before removing any of that vegetation.”

Oakden is organising a gathering at Frog Marsh at 8.30pm on July 30, to hold Network Rail to account. He observed the work in May and found the experience difficult.

“I was there alone, I saw them doing the work,” he said. “I alerted them to the presence of bats and nesting birds. They carried on regardless.

“This is why I’m organizing a get-together. Having been in a situation where it’s me facing 15 burly network rail vegetation clearance guys, I’ve experienced that they just don’t care or change their practices.

“I believe the more people that are there, the less likely they are to carry out illegal acts and to follow correct procedures.”

Responding to Bristol24/7, a Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’ve received reports that vegetation along the railway boundary fence line in the Frog Marsh area is affecting the highway.

“We are required to act swiftly on such reports to keep the road safe for vehicles, so we’ll be cutting back the overhanging vegetation in line with the fence. No trees will be removed on Network Rail land.

“We’re aware of the ecological considerations and will carry out the necessary checks and surveys before any of the vegetation is cut back.”

All photos: Howard Oakden

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