East West Rail Alliance putting the environment first

East West Rail Connection Stage One is currently being built between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes by Network Rail and the East West Rail Alliance. The first phase of the project, between Oxford and Bicester was completed in 2015, and construction is currently underway to build the second phase between Bicester, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

In a first for a major rail infrastructure project, the plans for the construction between Bicester, Bletchley and Milton Keynes commit to not only restoring any habitats disrupted during construction but to increase it be 10%, so wildlife, trees and plants can thrive in future.

This work directly aligns to a major aim of the COP26 summit, held in Glasgow. The purpose is to protect the natural environment and contribute to the conservation of nature.

To date, 100 hectares of new habitats, over 20 different sites, have been created, and 150,000 trees have been planted.

Species relocated and protected include otters, badgers, bats, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians including great crested newts.

Mark Cuzner, East West Rail Alliance project director, said: "We've been committed to having the smallest ecological impact possible while building this exciting new railway, which will one day link Cambridge and Oxford from East to West.

"As this phase of East West Rail is being built in the main on mothballed railway lines, which had become important wildlife corridors, we had to think sensitively and carefully about how we could protect species which had made their home on the former railway lines. That's why we made a railway first commitment to put back 10% more habitat as part of the project, and it's really encouraging to see how this is already paying off for biodiversity along the route."

Ian Parker, EWR Co programme delivery director, said: "Protecting the environment is at the centre of everything we do, and a fundamental part of our decision-making. We'll build on the great work that's already underway on delivering biodiversity net gain for the section of railway between Bicester and Bletchley/Milton Keynes, and continue to work closely with local community groups, environmental bodies and local highway and planning authorities to keep a sharp focus on priority habitats and the natural environment as we continue with our designs for the whole railway."

Those 'ecological compensation sites' created are maturing well, with East West Rail Alliance ecologists closely monitoring how they are doing. Successes so far include:

• 100% of the 27 artificial badger setts constructed have been occupied by badgers, and 22% have already been used for breeding.
• A purpose-built bat house is being used by roosting bats
• The compensation sites are used by at least seven species of bats for commuting and feeding.
• 100% of the ponds created for great crested newts show signs they are living there.
• One of two artificial otter holts is regularly being used.

Serving communities between Oxford and Cambridge, East West Rail intends to bring faster journey times and lower transport costs as well as easing pressure on local roads, by encouraging more people to use the train instead of private cars.

This also supports the rail industry's current 'We Mean Green' campaign, to show that travelling by train is the greenest mode of public transport there is – choosing rail instead of the car can cut harmful carbon emissions which are the primary cause of climate change by up to two thirds.