THE problem of leaves on the line near Dalgety Bay's rail station could be halted with the start of tree and vegetation management work.

Network Rail has said the work will begin on September 27 and carry on until late December with the aim of reducing leaf-fall volume and improving operational safety.

Leaves on the line can break down into a slippery surface that can cause train wheels to lose grip and affect signalling systems – making it harder to track where trains are on the network.

Neighbours around the area have received notification about the scheduled work, which will be carried out on a one-kilometre stretch from Clockluine Road to just short of Vantage Road S, at the east of the station.

A letter from Network Rail said the station had a "poor record" for autumn performance issues.

"This area alone has had an average of 13,575 minutes’ worth of delays over the autumn season (September to December) in each of the past five years in comparison to 8,394 minutes’ worth of delays outwith the autumn season," it stated.

"In autumn, leaves on the line can affect train wheel traction to the rail which affects breaking distances, acceleration and interferes with our signalling systems.

"Ecologists have been involved from the outset to identify a number of trees, including a proportion of the high leaf-fall species, to be retained for biodiversity reasons, such as trees with bat roost potential.

"They have also conducted surveys for breeding birds and other protected species. A commuting corridor of trees with potential roosting features will be retained which can still be used by wildlife.

"A number of bat and bird boxes will be installed, which will enhance the already present natural features, for immediate use by wildlife."

Once the felling and removal of trees is complete, Network Rail will replant the felled woodland areas with native trees and shrubs and will nurture these to manage the regrowth of woodland, to improve biodiversity and to offset the impact of the work on the local area.

The tree species which will be replanted will not be large-leaved and will therefore reduce the impact that leaf-fall has to the safe operation of the railway in the area.

Kirsty Armstrong, scheme project manager for tree and vegetation management work, said: “We have already undertaken tree and vegetation management in this location on our land but it has not been possible to stop leaf-fall problems from arising.

"We are now carrying out works outside our boundary on third-party land to remove high leaf-fall species but will be retaining as many trees as possible which are not in the high leaf-fall category.

“Involving our ecologists in the project from the outset has helped us plan the work in a way that minimises the impact on the ecology and wildlife and helps us promote biodiversity and the sustainable management of the lineside environment.”