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Protestors claim railway line trees victory in Network Rail fight... for now

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Protestors try to stop the trees
being cut down

Environmental campaigners have claimed victory in their fight to
stop Network Rail from clearing trees close to a railway line - for
now.

More than 100 protestors with placards gathered for a
demonstration in Whitstable this morning.

Three women even chained themselves to trees in protest at plans
to clear embankments beside the railway line.

They say the trees, which are behind Cromwell Road, are home to
dozens of pairs of breeding birds as well as protecting residents
from noise.

Network Rail bosses have now decided to delay any clearance work
until September after finding evidence of rare birds nesting beside
the track.

KentOnline reporter Jess Banham, who was at the protest this
morning, said: "There are some very happy protestors here.

"Network Rail have done another walk of the track and have
decided there is evidence of rare birds nesting, so they're going
to delay any clearance work until the end of September.

"But it's not quite good enough for the women chained to the
tree, though - they're going to stay there until they get
everything in writing."

Alan Johnson, from the RSPB, said: "We think this is an
important green corridor and we need to protect it.

"We need to make sure birds are, during the breeding season in
particular, well protected."

Three women chain themselves to trees beside Whitstable railway track
Three women chain themselves to trees beside Whitstable railway track

Three women chain
themselves to trees beside Whitstable railway track

Campaigner Julie Wassmer said: "We have always wanted Network
Rail to consult properly with the concerns of local people.

"We've always wanted to preserve our wildlife corridor, but also
make sure that's compatibale with Network Rail running a safe
railway."

Fiona Taylor, Network Rail’s route managing director for Kent,
said: “After a thorough inspection with an independent ecologist,
the work to remove selected trees along this stretch of railway has
been postponed owing to the suspected number of nesting birds.

"Because this work is essential for the future safety of the
railway, we will return at a later date to complete it once the
nests have been vacated.

"Residents will receive a minimum of 10 days’ notice before the
start date and we will carry out a full inspection before the work
begins.”

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