“The collaboration between our Arboriculture and Ecology teams shows our commitment to delivering comprehensive, environmentally responsible solutions. Our ability to adapt and respond to ecological constraints while ensuring the safety and efficiency of rail operations showcases our unique position within the industry.”
The TFW Vegetation Management project, led by the Managed Environments Division of RSSI, served Transport for Wales (TFW) in addressing ecological constraints, particularly the presence of bats within trees slated for removal.
This project, crucial for the safety and maintenance of the Core Valley Line (CVL) in Wales, combined the expertise of tree climbers with Licensed Bat Ecologists to ensure environmental compliance and safety along the railway. The project commenced in March 2020 and is ongoing.
Location
Core Valley Lines
Project Value
£2m per annum
Division
Ecology
Project Duration
3-5 year framework
The TFW Vegetation Management project represented an innovative and collaborative approach to addressing ecological and safety concerns within railway maintenance. The initial framework targeted vegetation management along the Core Valley Line, integrating Ecology Services after recognising the need for bat habitat assessments. This necessity arose from TFW’s ecological constraints, hindering the removal of potentially dangerous trees near tracks.
RSSI’s solution was unique and multifaceted, combining the expertise of tree climbers with Licensed Bat Ecologists to assess, plan, and execute tree management. The project was structured in three phases:
Ground Level Tree Assessment (GLTA):
Initial evaluation of trees for potential bat habitats.
Tree Climbing and Endoscoping:
Detailed inspection of identified trees to confirm the presence of bats.
Tree Management:
Removal of trees without bats and the application of licenses for trees with bat habitats, followed by careful management under ecological supervision.
The challenges of this project were significant, involving track-side work, night and weekend shifts, and the need for seamless collaboration between different departments and partner companies. Despite these obstacles, RSSI successfully delivered a service that not only addressed the immediate safety and ecological compliance issues but also set a standard for integrated vegetation and wildlife management within the railway sector.
This project added substantial value to TFW by ensuring the safety of railway operations while complying with ecological preservation standards. The collaboration between Arboriculture and Ecology teams under RSSI’s management highlighted the ability to provide comprehensive, environmentally sensitive solutions that support the client’s operational and environmental objectives. This ongoing work strengthens the partnership between RSSI, Amey, and TFW, demonstrating a commitment to innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship in rail infrastructure management.
RSS Infrastructure (RSSI), based in Birmingham, Cwmbran, Doncaster and Tonbridge, provides infrastructure services for the rail, civil, and utilities sectors. We serve clients like Network Rail, WMCA, HS2 and Tier 1 & 2 contractors. Our services include Arboriculture, Civils and Construction, Geofencing, Industrial Rope Access (IRATA), Magnetic Track Safety, Rail Operations including Possession Management and P/Way, Rail Welding, Signalling, and Track Warning Services.
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