Birmingham Friends of the Earth Action Briefing Feb 2000/Mar 2000

Railtrack Tree Attack Continues

We have numerous calls from concerned residents living next to railway lines about the behaviour of landowner Railtrack.   This comes in the form of line-side tree and habitat destruction which is being performed on their behalf.   This is no doubt to remove the "leaves on the line" problems in the autumn.   No trees, no leaves is the argument.   Residents ring up appalled at the manner in which the clearance takes place with no apparent care for this urban habitat.   Surely Railtrack could manage this work much more professionally?   If you are a shareholder of Railtrack please write to them demanding more sympathetic treatment of the trees and habitat on their land.   We are talking with the Urban Wildlife Trust on this and other wildlife issues in the City.

Sally Fletcher