From the Bristol Evening Post
Thousands of trees which were chopped down on a railway embankment are being replaced after a campaign by residents.People living near the embankment in Coalpit Heath were furious when the trees were felled last year by Network Rail. The rail operator insisted the work was necessary because the trees were causing the bank to collapse.
The company was granted an exemption order by the Department for Transport, which allowed it to clear the trees and undergrowth without South Gloucestershire Council's permission.
Residents said the scheme for the land between Winterbourne station and Ram Hill in Coalpit Heath was a blatant destruction of the environment. Now the company has agreed to replant the embankment at a cost of ú300,000.
Councillor Alan Bracey (Lib Dem, Westerleigh) led the campaign to replace them. He said: "I sincerely hope that Network Rail will ensure that planting will be successful."
Mr Bracey thanked council natural environment and design manager Gillian Ellis-King for her help.
Coalpit Heath embankment was constructed in the late 19th century, and trees and other vegetation have naturally grown up along it.
The increasing weight of vegetation growing in heavy clay soil was having an effect on the safety of the railway line. Network Rail removed the vegetation that was creating the pressure, reduced the embankment's steep incline and stabilised the embankment. It worked with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and English Nature to ensure protected wildlife species, such as dormice and bats, were not harmed.
The replanting work is due to be completed early next year.
Network Rail spokeswoman Kirsty Anderson said: "From the very start of the project to stabilise the embankment, we have always planned to undertake a re-planting exercise once the main works have been completed.
"Our engineers have worked closely with a landscape architect to replant a variety of trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers so that wildlife can flourish along the embankment in the future."