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Network Rail: Biodiversity

Answer

Network Rail has not made specific estimates of the cost or time arising from identification of protected species. For Network Rail, such activities are embedded within wider project development, environmental mitigation and vegetation management processes, rather than recorded as discrete cost categories.

Licensing and survey requirements can influence project scheduling, particularly where seasonal survey constraints apply or where mitigation measures are required before works may proceed. However, the scale of any impacts on cost or programme varies significantly depending on the nature, location and timing of individual projects, and has not been quantified centrally. Effective project planning supports with limiting the impact of these requirements on project delivery.

Network Rail will always attempt to continue work using non-licensable techniques. Where this is not possible, licences will be applied for and work undertaken according to any condition presented in a granted licence.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

13067

Session

2026-27

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Subjects

Costs Biodiversity Network Rail

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk