A RE-PLANTING project at Dalgety Bay Railway Station is now complete after Autumn leaves falling on the line affected safety and performance on the tracks.

Network Rail have carried out work to cut back trees and vegetation next to the track and replaced them with native flora better suited to the area.

Local councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay, David Barratt, didn't have to be railroaded into lending a helping hand and managed to get a closer look at the new environmentally friendly measures that are in place.

Cllr Barratt said: “It was great to tour the site with the project team and see some of the steps that have been taken to protect the lineside environment, as well as help plant saplings that will be enjoyed by future generations.

“The new lineside environment will be maintained over the next five years to manage the regrowth of woodland, to improve the biodiversity and to offset the impact of the work on the local area – creating an environment that benefits the railway but is also important to the local community aesthetically.

“Improving safety and performance on the railway is important but it’s great to see this being done while making a positive impact on the environment and protecting local wildlife.”

As well as planting trees and shrubs to replace those cut down, Network Rail have made efforts to protect the wildlife of the area.

By leaving behind trees to create a safe commuting corridor for the wildlife living by the tracks, installing six bird and 17 bat boxes and creating habitat piles for the creepy crawlies, they have left behind a safe environment that will protect and improve the biodiversity by the railroad.

Kirsty Armstrong, scheme project manager for Network Rail, said: “While our priority is the safety and performance of the railway, the way this project has been planned and delivered is really positive and demonstrates how we manage the lineside environment in a way that protects wildlife and promotes biodiversity.

“We have taken a number of proactive steps to off-set the impact of removing trees and created a mixture of habitats supporting many species alongside the railway.

"It sets the standard for sustainable management of the lineside environment for the future.”