Written question asked by Mohammad Sarwar (Labour) on Monday, 11 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 October 2004. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Thursday, 21 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to (a) protect and (b) enhance the natural wildlife habitat around the UK rail network.

Answer: Mr. Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to (a) protect and (b) enhance the natural wildlife habitat around the UK rail network. [190630] Mr. Bradshaw: English Nature work regularly with Network Rail at national, regional and local levels to take the steps necessary to protect and enhance wildlife habitat around the UK rail network. Network Rail's vision for the environment is to ensure that protected heritage features and habitats under its care make a positive contribution to the quality of life in the UK. It has a safety and environment plan for 2004-05 which includes a commitment to address conservation issues and in particular to work with English Nature, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Council for Wales to agree site management statements for 80 per cent. of the SSSIs on its land. It also includes an objective to implement a rolling programme to update its Biodiversity Action Plan.

Secondary information