Tree and stakeholder management

Expertise 

We do lineside management as part of our daily business. We need to make sure good practice is followed when managing trees and vegetation, to cause minimal impact on the environment. Also, these actions may sometimes need to be explained to local stakeholders.

We’ve worked with The Tree Council for more than a decade, where they have provided subject matter expertise in environmental and social value, with regards to lineside management. There are many colleagues across the business who are experts in their field, but on occasion The Tree Council have been able to create links to national and global experts to provide additional support.

Critical friend 

Not every job goes to plan, and sometimes our activities aren’t viewed favourably by our neighbours. When errors happen, or there is misunderstanding, colleagues at the Tree Council can mediate in areas where stakeholders are unhappy.  Acting as a critical friend, they can help both parties so that lineside and railway works can move forward without hurting our reputation.

If you need support with a technical environmental issue or help liaising with a stakeholder, contact your regional environmental lead.

Community tree planting grant scheme

We have to manage trees and other vegetation to provide a safe performing railway. The short-term impact of that management can bring us into conflict with our neighbours, as one-third of the population of Britain lives within 500 metres of a railway line. Working with organisations like the Tree Council, we can support communities wanting to improve their health, wellbeing and local environment.

The Tree Council actively supports community tree, hedgerow, and orchard projects that boost agricultural productivity and create publicly accessible green spaces that promote physical and mental well-being.

The Network Rail Community Tree Planting Fund makes available grants of between £2,500 and £10,000 for projects in England, Scotland and Wales. It is open to a wide range of applicants, including local authorities, community groups and landowners.  Guidance can be found here: https://treecouncil.org.uk/grants-and-guidance/our-grants/