Network Rail is inviting Hemel Hempstead residents to an information event to find out more about upcoming railway vegetation work.The vegetation management work, scheduled for next month between Aspley and Bourne End, is required to keep train passengers and staff safe.
Last year around 1,000 trains collided with fallen trees or large branches – a number Network Rail is keen to reduce. Each year there are many more instances of trees and branches blocking or closing lines, disrupting train passengers’ journeys.
Cutting foliage back a safe distance from the tracks enables train drivers to clearly see signals – the traffic lights of the railway – and to spot potential hazards as soon as possible.At the event – on Tuesday 23 February between 4pm and 7pm at Nash Mills Village Hall – Network Rail staff will be on hand to explain why this work is so important for railway safety and how they will tackle the challenge in this area.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We encourage our lineside neighbours to come along to understand the work we are doing and any impact it will have on them.“Our project team will be there to answer any questions from residents and address any concerns they may have.“Vegetation management is an essential part of railway maintenance and this work is crucial to keeping both trains and passengers safe on the network.”
Our work has been split into two phases. Phase one is where our teams are currently working, this is the rural area between Hemel Hempstead station and Little Heath Lane. The second phase will consist of moving south covering the area between Hemel Hempstead station and Apsley station.
Source:-Network Rail
