Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas MP and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds gave their support this week to Islington Green Party’s campaign against deforestation by Network Rail, which has denuded an area at Ashburton Triangle, Highbury and which threatens an area the size of the Forest of Dean nationally.
Dr Lucas MP has tabled a series of Parliamentary Questions to the Transport Minister about the deforestation programme, as well as supporting a Parliamentary motion describing Network Rail’s behaviour in Islington as “insensitive toward the natural environment, nesting birds, [and] the local community”. Network Rail’s behaviour will be debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 27 June at 430pm thanks to the efforts of local MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Meanwhile, the RSPB this week also supported the campaign, accusing Network Rail of destroying birds’ nests on railway land and then hiding behind a shield of Health and Safety excuses.
Islington Green Party has reported the matter to the British Transport Police on the basis of wildlife crimes by the destruction of wild birds and their nests during the breeding season. We remain in close touch with residents and we are pressing the Council to take action to–
-ensure that Network Rail are held to account for their actions, including by prosecution for wildlife offences
-require restitution of the damaged area by replanting with suitable trees and shrubs.
In the meantime, concerned residents can support the campaign by signing the e-petition here:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/34529
