Railway to remove trees, build up embankment near Rodborough

Network Rail are planning major works on the embankment on Westerleigh Road, Yate, facing Rodborough. They intend to clear all the vegetation off the embankment, build up the embankment in layers and widen the bottom of the embankment. Then they would put top soil on and reseed with grass mix. This would be about 3 months work. There would be a temporary road access somewhere opposite the entrance to Rodborough.

We can’t argue with safety works, but this is a lovely small piece of woodland. Many species of birds breed there regularly. Without these trees, people in Rodborough are going to feel that the trains are almost in their living rooms.

South Glos has asked Network Rail to do replacement planting, but there is bound to be considerable disruption. They are going to bring in about 13,000 tonnes of material – that’s about a thousand lorry loads.

The photo shows Steve Webb MP visiting the site with local councillors Alan Lawrance, Kay Crowe and Paul Hulbert.

Footnote - Network Rail is also talking about removing vegetation from the cutting behind Robin Way, Chipping Sodbury. We’re trying to find out more, and we’ll let you know as soon as we do.