NETWORK RAIL AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

That this House is deeply concerned at the insensitive behaviour of Network Rail towards the natural environment, nesting birds, the local community and Islington Borough Council; notes its unannounced clearing of vegetation adjacent to the railway lines in north Islington near to the Arsenal stadium and the Gillespie Park Nature Reserve; further notes that this is an important wildlife corridor which enhances the ecology of London as a whole; further notes despairingly that Network Rail did not fulfil undertakings given in September 2011 to work with local communities and the local authority before undertaking vegetation works;expects Network Rail to realise the meanings of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in protecting our natural environments including nesting birds; and is astonished at its behaviour in respect of this recent incident.