Managing our land sustainably. What is contaminated land? Contaminated land refers to land that by reason of substances in, on, or under the land, is causing, or could cause, significant harm to people, protected species or pollution to surface and groundwater. Much of our land surrounding the railway has historically been used for things like […]
What is responsibly sourced timber? Responsibly sourced timber is procured by Network Rail from sustainably-managed and legal sources. This assures stakeholders that non-sustainable activities, such as illegal logging, are not involved in the supply chain, whilst supporting the conservation of forests and respecting the interests of local communities. Why is responsibly sourced timber important to […]
Taking action to prevent pollution to air, water and land which might occur as a result of our operations. What is pollution of land and water? Land and water pollution is the addition of an unwanted and harmful substance, often as a result of human activity, and can result in harm being caused to the […]
Working to minimise complaints and damage to the environment and human health from noise, nuisance and disturbances arising from our work What is noise, nuisance and disturbance? Constructing and maintaining the railway is a noisy and ongoing process. Nuisances and disturbances are primarily related to noise and vibration, air quality (i.e. odour, dust, smoke), artificial […]
What is sustainability? At Network Rail, sustainability means making sure that everything we build, manage, service or develop leaves a lasting positive legacy for future generations, and keeps the impact on the environment and society at the forefront of all decisions. We believe that good management of our economic, social and environmental […]
The number of major injuries suffered by railway employees peaks every winter period. Dark nights and difficult conditions bring their own hazards, which can lead to some nasty slips, trips and falls. To help combat this, we’re focusing on the common risks associated with winter, and providing some practical tips and suggestions to help colleagues […]
Why is the environment important to Network Rail? As the fourth largest landowner in Britain, Network Rail has a significant scope to influence the environment, either positively or negatively. The railway is an inherently sustainable industry that has many environmental advantages over other forms of transport. However, in order to maintain this advantage, we must […]
Network Rail owns around 219 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), that are protected because of their special interest for wildlife, habitat or geology. Many more are located near the railway and Network Rail and its contractors have a legal obligation not to cause damage to any designated SSSI regardless of ownership. The appropriate statutory agency […]
