Overview
Environmental Forestry UK Ltd (EFL) successfully completed the removal of 40 Leylandii trees located in Nuffield Health car park adjacent to Weston-Super-Mare branch line. The trees, suffering serious decline and positioned over the railway line between Weston-Super-Mare Station & West Milton station, were condemned by Network Rail and an EFL consultative arborist.
Details
EFL explored various options and concluded that the work would need to be carried out at night whilst the car park for Nuffield Health could be locked creating a secure and safe exclusion from the public. Due to the condition of the trees and the time frame given to carry out the removal EFL implemented the use of machinery, to not only speed up the work but also increase the safety controls in place. A Merlo with tree shears, a large chipper, and a walking floor were used allowing EFL to process the arisings as they worked and remove from site each night.
A combination of daytime running preparations shifts and night-time weekday Line Block shifts were used to facilitate the tree’s removal. This involved careful coordination and scheduling to minimize disruption to railway operations and Nuffield Health.
Reinstatement
A replanting program was agreed following consultation with Network Rail, EFL, and Nuffield Health. The Leyandii was replaced with a substantial Cherry Laurel hedge to ensure the visual screen was maintained for customers of the car park, whilst reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.
