Kent & East Sussex Railway

The client

Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR), a heritage railway based in Tenterden, Kent, contacted ABEC to carry out protected species surveys and habitat assessment along their line from Tenterden to Bodiam.

The challenge

Built by Holman F. Stephens as Britain's first light passenger railway in the early 20th century, K&ESR is today one of the country's best-loved and most original heritage lines, running for 10½ miles through the Rother Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Almost entirely volunteer-run, the railway wanted to better understand the fauna and flora found alongside its line, and identify opportunities to increase biodiversity within the surrounding area.

What we did

We carried out a range of protected species surveys along the line, covering butterflies, birds, reptiles, and water vole, alongside broader habitat assessments. This work aimed to build a clear picture of the wildlife present along the corridor and identify how management of the land could be improved to support it.

The outcome achieved

Our surveys confirmed the ecological value of the railway corridor, highlighting how well-managed rail-side land can act as an important wildlife corridor, helping animals and plants move between habitats across an increasingly fragmented landscape. The relatively inaccessible nature of the land alongside the railway also makes it a valuable refuge for wildlife, offering shelter from disturbance by livestock, people, and dogs. This work gives K&ESR an evidence base to inform future habitat management along the line, in support of the surrounding countryside's biodiversity.