Clearance starts on 'Chilcompton extension'
Now that the lease has been signed for the next stretch of trackbed in the Trust's southwards push of the running lines, initial evaluation and some light scrub clearance has been initiated. A conservation officer has visited and given guidelines for the clearance work on this initial 350-metre parcel of land, prior to any trackbed preparation, tracklaying or signalling works being carried out.
Although, as reported in the September 2006 issue of The S&D Telegraph, the lease was finalised in August 2006, the Land Registry had to be satisfied as to the use of the land and the local authority conservation officer consulted. Now that these steps have been taken, some clearance can take place before the start of the next bird nesting season in a few months. After this point, removal of heavier vegetation is strictly controlled and will dictate the pace at which further progress can be made.
Now that the lease has been signed for the next stretch of trackbed in the Trust's southwards push of the running lines, initial evaluation and some light scrub clearance has been initiated. A conservation officer has visited and given guidelines for the clearance work on this initial 350-metre parcel of land, prior to any trackbed preparation, tracklaying or signalling works being carried out.
Although, as reported in the September 2006 issue of The S&D Telegraph, the lease was finalised in August 2006, the Land Registry had to be satisfied as to the use of the land and the local authority conservation officer consulted. Now that these steps have been taken, some clearance can take place before the start of the next bird nesting season in a few months. After this point, removal of heavier vegetation is strictly controlled and will dictate the pace at which further progress can be made.
Posted: 01.01.07
The view southwards from the current end of the line (old bufferstop in foreground).
Photo: Julian Jefferson
Photo: Julian Jefferson