Kent & East Sussex Railway
Client Organisation
Kent & East Sussex Railway contacted ABEC to carry out a variety of protected species surveys and habitat assessment along their line from Tenterden to Bodiam.
Background
The Kent & East Sussex Railway is a renowned heritage railway based in Tenterden, Kent. Built by Holman F Stephens, it was the first light passenger railway in Britain in the early 20th century and is today one of Britain’s most loved and original heritage lines. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, the K&ESR offers visitors an authentic steam and diesel-powered railway experience through 10½ miles of Wealden countryside in the beautiful Rother Valley, an area of outstanding natural beauty. Staffed almost entirely by volunteers, the railway prides itself on preserving railway heritage, operating a diverse range of locomotives, and providing a unique glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.
Scope of work
Butterflies, birds, reptiles, water vole and habitat assessments - just some of the surveys we have undertaken this year in collaboration with THE KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED, with the aim to understand the fauna and floral along the railway line and increase biodiversity within the area.
It's not just humans who travel by train. When managed correctly, the land alongside railways and roads can provide important corridors for wildlife, helping animals and plants move between habitats across our increasingly fragmented landscape. The inaccessible nature of rail-side land also provides a safe place for wildlife to avoid disturbance by livestock, people, and dogs.
