Network Rail removed hundreds of trees from the Grange Park embankment during work, upsetting local residents. Residents argue the replanting has been inadequate, with too few trees planted in straight rows rather than natural clusters. They want more evergreen trees for screening and native oaks planted as a memorial. Network Rail agrees to plant more trees before March and reevaluate in 12 months. The MP will continue holding Network Rail accountable to address residents' concerns over replanting.

1. REPLANTING GRANGE PARK
December 1st 2011
Public Meeting with Network Rail

2. Introduction
This meeting, chaired by David Burrowes MP, was called
because local residents in Grange Park are unhappy with the
replanting of the site following the completion of work on
the embankment b Network Rail.
We are not here today to relive the horrors that were
inflicted on Grange Park in February, euphemistically
referred to as the ‘Great Grange Park Chain Saw Massacre’
but to consider whether Network Rail’s replanting of the site
has been adequate recompense for the destruction of
hundreds of trees, with a massive impact on the local
environment and quality of life, in particular for the
residents directly adjacent to the site.

3. Our Grievances
1. The ‘consultation’ exercise was a token gesture,
virtually none of the residents’ requests were
accommodated into the replanting scheme
2. The ‘concessions’ made in the meeting with local
residents in September were not adhered to
3. The replanting in essence is almost identical to
the proposals in February

4. Local Residents have said:
“Residents in Nesta Avenue feel terribly upset with the
replanting. We are looking at a mud embankment. Further to
this, when we get some substantial rain, we get mud running
into our gardens as there was no soak away installed”.
“I write this as I look out of my window at a very desolate
scene. I was once faced with a lovely view of tree tops and
wildlife. All I see now are mud banks with 2 rows of plastic
cylinders and of course the trains. Quite unbelievable!“
“I live down Merridene and with all the trees & plants gone its
made the area look very down market & very open for
everyone to see within our properties”.

5. Local Residents have said:
"I have noticed the puny little plants that have been planted
along the embankment in Grange Park and I think Network
Rail has really done a very poor job of restoring the site"
"totally appalled by planting scheme - what have Network
Rail got in their brains?“
“these neat (almost parade-ground) lines of shrubs that
Network Rail have planted are a feeble attempt to restore
the environment”
“What are those God awful triffids that Network Rail have
planted on the embankment?”

6. Presented by Network Rail in February 2011
at the Enfield Council Scrutiny Committee
Full details can be found at www.n21online.com

7. Our Response to Network Rail
REPLANTING GRANGE PARK EMBANKMENTS
Draft report for Network Rail from the Grange Park
Residents Replanting Committee May 2011

8. Initial response to Network Rail’s Replanting Plans
The initial planting will be too meagre to provide effective
acoustic and visual screening from the embankments, especially
on the West side, which is very close to residential properties.
Most of the species proposed by Network Rail are deciduous,
so, unless reasonably densely planted, there will little screening
from the Autumn through to Spring.
We wanted random, natural planting, not straight rows.

9. David Burrowes meeting with NR Chief Executive
Mr. Higgins apologised for the mistakes made in previous
months and confirms that going forward, Network Rail will
learn from this incident and adapt their community
engagement and consultation.
He also make assurances that when it comes to replanting,
budgets will not be an issue and that there will be full
involvement of community groups with the process.

10. Network Rail’s response
(which took three months)
Network Rail Revised Planting August 2011

11. Can we give nature a helping hand?

12. The Committee would argue that
Network Rail did not listen to our
suggestions coming up with
various reasons as to why they
could not be implemented

13. Whilst the orchard trees are attractive, there are too few and they do not provide any
screening for residents

14. The bare areas covered with weeds on the embankment are of major concern.
Where residents used to look out on leafy embankments they are now faced with an
ugly vista, which will take years to recover unless further remedial work is undertaken

15. In our September meeting with NR it was agreed that semi mature evergreens would
be planted along the Green Dragon Lane fence. Having been told by Network Rail that
planting was completed, it was announced at the meeting that these plants have now
been ordered.

16. We had agreed that bulbs would be planted n this corner by local school children. In the
meeting residents expressed a strong desire to have native oaks planted here, well
away from the embankment - a memorial to the lost oaks felled by Network Rail?

17. We had expected to have laurels planted along the Vera Avenue fence, NR say that
they have now been ordered. We were delighted to see these trees on the steep
embankment, but none have been planted where they are most needed, to provide
some screening for residents living in Nesta Avenue, Deepdene Court and Merridene.

18. The committee had understood that trees could not be planted at this level, so we were
delighted when planting began. However, there are not enough of them and they do little
o screen the line from residents’ homes, which are in very close proximity to the site.

19. Network Rail admitted that the current planting scheme will take a generation to
provide any effective screen for residents in Merridene

20. WHERE ARE THE EVERGREENS?
We would like Network Rail to consider planting many more evergreens across the
site, such as laurel, shown here by Grange Park station, which is fast growing and
dense

21. MEMORIES OF A VERDANT, GREEN GRANGE PARK –
we didn’t appreciate it until it was gone!

24. We would to remind Network Rail that they have removed hundreds of trees from the
site, many of them mature oaks and other broad leaf trees

26. Views from the floor
Residents in the packed Church, reiterated the sentiments
expressed by the local residents replanting committee that the
replanting has been woefully inadequate and that once again,
Network Rail has failed to consult and listen to the views of
local residents.
It is not just the loss of this natural habitat at the heart of our
community which deeply concerns us, but also the lack of
consideration for the residents bordering the railway line.
Whilst Network Rail would like to wait a year to see how the
site matures, it is feasible to plant more trees over the next few
months, up to March and we would like you to consider doing
more in this planting season.

27. Summing up by David Burrowes
“I was pleased to arrange a second public meeting about the
Grange Park embankment. The attendance of senior
representatives of Network Rail reflected the seriousness of the
impact on the local community. We were able to get into the
detail of replanting plans and establish that we have not
reached the end of the line but there is a long way to mitigate
the damage of the loss of trees.
We have a commitment of more trees before March and a
review within 12 months to establish whether more trees are
required. I will continue to hold Network Rail to account over
the next 12 months”.

28. Network Rail it is your land –
but all railway embankments are
deemed to be wildlife corridors.
Surely the technological problems of
replanting the embankments are not
intractable?

29. More information of the
Grange Park Embankment
campaign can be found at
www.n21online.com