When I joined RSS Infrastructure in December 2024, I was ready for something new. After years working in traditional development-led ecology, I felt it was time for a fresh challenge — something that would push me, surprise me, and allow me to build something meaningful from the ground up.
The opportunity to develop an ecology services department within the railway sector felt like exactly that: a chance to bring my skills into a completely different operational world and shape a department with its own identity, purpose, and national impact.
A New Chapter Begins
Stepping into railway ecology was like stepping into another ecosystem entirely. In development consultancy, ecology work is mostly proactive — carefully planned, scheduled months in advance, and supported by a predictable survey calendar.
The railway, in contrast, is reactive by nature. Changes come fast. Worksites move. Possessions shift. Access drops out. Ecology here isn’t just about surveys; it’s about responding with precision, working safely within a highly technical environment, and making decisions that affect vast, linear landscapes that stretch for miles.
Despite that learning curve, the transition felt smooth. RSSI supported me every step of the way — from giving me the exposure I needed to understand railway operations, to helping me obtain my PTS competency, to ensuring I had access to colleagues with decades of rail knowledge. It wasn’t just onboarding; it was integration into an entirely new professional culture.
Learning the Railway Environment
One of the biggest differences I faced was the shift patterns. Moving into night work brought its own technical challenges, particularly with species surveys that rely heavily on daylight windows. Adapting methodologies, planning logistics around possessions, and learning how different habitats behave — or respond — at night forced me to grow quickly.
Gaining rail competencies, grounded me firmly in the reality of railway safety. The training is intense for a reason. It drills into you the responsibility you carry, not just for yourself, but for every person working beside you. That safety-first mindset has now become part of my ecological practice. Every decision I make in the field balances ecological integrity with operational safety.
Standout Projects from Across the Network
Across the Wales & Western, Northwest & Central routes, Southeast and Scotland, I’ve had the chance to work on projects that really demonstrated the scale and significance of railway habitats. From lineside vegetation renewals and station upgrade programmes to access-based ecological inspections, LWS/SSSI-linked assessments, and UKHab/BNG mapping along entire corridors, each project has reminded me that railways are more than transport infrastructure — they are vital ecological networks.
There was a moment earlier in the year when this truly hit me. I was standing on a stretch of trackside habitat, watching pollinators move through a wildflower margin that had been undisturbed for years. It made me think:
“This is why railway ecology matters. These corridors hold an astonishing richness of wildlife — flora, fauna, and everything in between — often more diverse than many designated sites.”
Building an Ecology Department from Scratch
My proudest achievement this year has been fostering growth. When I first joined RSS, the ecology presence existed only in theory — a few ideas, a few conversations, but no structure.
Now, with the support of our Managed Environment Lead and the Board of Directors, we’ve built a fully functioning ecology division with UK-wide capability, delivering work for Tier 1 clients and embedding ecological thinking into major rail projects.
Watching the team grow, gain new competencies, and become a recognised, trusted part of RSS has been incredibly rewarding.
Challenges, Lessons & Personal Growth
Railway ecology isn’t without its challenges. The unpredictability — shifting possessions, extreme weather, cancelled access — has required a level of proactivity I didn’t anticipate. But it has strengthened my planning, communication, and team-coordination skills massively.
I’ve also gained unexpected new perspectives. One of the biggest is understanding how railway operations and ecological needs can coexist. It’s easy to assume the two are in conflict, but with the right processes — early engagement, proactive ecological input, and clear communication — I’ve seen how ecological protection can actually support operational efficiency.
If I could give my December-2024 self some advice, it would be:
“Trust the learning curve. The railway world looks overwhelming at first, but once you understand its rhythm, it becomes one of the most rewarding environments to work in.”
Looking Ahead — The Future of Railway Ecology
The next 5–10 years will be transformative for ecology on the rail network. We’ll see:
- More structured BNG integration into renewals and enhancement schemes
- More sophisticated habitat mapping and digital ecological records along corridors
- Increased focus on INNS management as climate change shifts species distributions
- Broader adoption of nature-based solutions in railway engineering
My goal for RSS Infrastructure is straightforward:
To position our ecology department as a national leader in railway environmental practice, delivering innovative, evidence-based ecological solutions that support operational, safety and biodiversity objectives simultaneously.
Personal Reflections
What surprised me most this year?
The sheer scale of the railway environment — not just its physical size, but the number of disciplines, pressures, and decision-makers involved in even the smallest job.
What keeps me motivated?
The blend of responsibility and purpose. Railway ecology isn’t just about compliance — it’s about protecting some of the UK’s most important wildlife corridors and ensuring the network is safe, resilient, and sustainable for decades to come.
And if I had to summarise my first year in rail in one sentence?
“A steep learning curve, a rewarding challenge, and one of the most professionally fulfilling chapters of my career.”
Scott Latham MCIEEM
Principal Ecologist
RSS Infrastructure
