LU Biodiversity Action Plan - Transport for London · Introduction 4 2.1 What is biodiversity? 4 2.2 Summary of policy drivers and legislation 4 2.3 Biodiversity in 2010 and Landscape

Transport for Londonmayor of london

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010

Connecting Nature

1. Executive Summary 3

2. Introduction 4

2.1 Whatisbiodiversity? 4

2.2 Summaryofpolicydriversand legislation 4

2.3 Biodiversityin2010andLandscapescaleconservation 5

3. LU and Biodiversity 7

3.1 Wildlifeandhabitatoverviewof LU’s property 7

3.2 Biodiversityhighlights 12

Central line 13

District line 14

Jubilee line 15

Metropolitan line 16

Piccadilly line 17

Northern line 18

Bakerloo line 19

Hammersmith and City line 19

Victoria line 19

3.3 BiodiversityvalueoftheLU network 20

3.4 VegetationManagement 21

3.5 Accesstogreenspaces 22

Royal parks, nature reserves and green areas in London 23

4. LU BAP Achievements 24

4.1 Surveysanddata 24

4.2 Livingroofs 25

4.3 Managingthebiodiversityvalueof ourproperty 25

4.4 Raisingawareness 26

5. LU BAP Actions 28

5.1 Outline 28

5.2 Protectedspecies 28

5.3 Habitatconservationandenhancement 29

5.4 Invasivespeciesmanagement 30

5.5 Ecologysurveysanddatacollectionstrategy 31

5.6 Awareness 32

Appendix 1: Reference and useful material 33

Appendix 2: Glossary 34

Contents

1. E

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3

1. E

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tive

Sum

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y With around 3.5 million journeys made each weekday, and more than one billion journeys every year, London Underground (LU), part of Transport for London, is an essential part of any visit to London, and the daily lives of those who live and work in and around the capital.

NotonlyisthemajorityoftheUndergroundaboveground,italsomakesuparound10%ofwildlifehabitatinthecapital,makingLUlandholdingsessentialhabitatsforthewiderangeofplantsandanimalsinLondon,manyofwhicharelegallyprotected.Becauseofthis,therailwaylinesideenvironmentisincreasinglyrecognisedforitscontributiontoLondon’sgreenspaceandasabiodiversityassetfor London.

Asaresponsiblecompany,biodiversityprotectionisanintegralpartofLU’sinfrastructuremanagementresponsibilities,whichincludesupgrading,replacingandmaintainingstations,signals,tracks,embankments,tunnelsandbridgestoname but a few.

InitsfirstBiodiversityActionPlan(BAP)publishedin2007,LUsetoutitsinitialcommitmentstomeetthechallengeofretainingahealthywildlife-richnetworkwhilstrunningasafeandefficientrailway.

TocoincidewiththeUnitedNationsInternationYearofBiodiversityin2010,theLUBAPisbeingupdatedtoreflectthecurrentshiftinecologyand

habitatmanagementmethods.ItishopedthatLU’sworkwillcontributetolocalandnationaleffortstohaltandreversethecontinuingdeclineof biodiversity.

Theshift,ledbyorganisationssuchasNaturalEnglandanditspartners,lookstomoveconservationpracticesintheUKfromprotectingsmall-scatteredpockets,tomanagingmuchlargerswathesofland.Thiswayoflandmanagementnaturallysupportsnationalandregionaltargetsforprotectionofendangeredspeciesandhabitats,aswellashelpingtoensurethatservicesprovidedbythenaturalenvironment,suchasfloodprotection,waterconservation,carbondioxidestorage,recreationfacilities,andqualityoflife,arealsopreservedforusandgenerationstocome.

LU’sBAP,combinedwithavarietyofothertools,willcontinuetoensurecompliancewithlegislation,theobjectivesof‘Connecting London with Nature’(theMayor’sBiodiversityStrategy),theaimsoftheMayorofLondon’sUrbanGreeningprogramme,andourbiodiversityobjectivesto:• conserve,andwherereasonablypracticaltoenhance,thebiodiversityvalueofLUproperty

• increaseawarenessamongststaffandthetravellingpublicofbiodiversityinLondon

Inmeetingtheseobjectives,LUultimatelycontributestotheconservationoflocally,regionallyandnationallyimportantspeciesandhabitatsalongitsnetwork,aswellasmakingthenaturalenvironmentaccessibleforLondoners.

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2. I

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ion 2.1 What is biodiversity?

Biologicaldiversity,orbiodiversity,isatermusedtodescribethevarietyoflivingthingsontheearth,frommammalstoinsects,treestowildflowersandthehabitatsinwhichtheylive.Itincludesthediversityofspecies,geneticvariabilitywithinaspecies,andtheirinteractionswiththeenvironment.

TheEarth’sbiodiversityisimportanttohumansbecauseithelpsregulateandstabiliseecosystemprocessesthatprovideuswithawiderangeofbenefits,orservices,suchasfood,materialsforconstruction,medicines,improvingqualityoflifeandwellbeing,aswellasprotectionagainstadverseweather.

Ouractivitiescansignificantlyaffectlocalandglobalbiodiversity.Changesinlanduseanddevelopmentcanaffecthabitatsandthespeciesthatdependonthathabitat.Conservingbiodiversitymeansprotectingspeciesandthehabitatsinwhichtheyexistaswellasrecoveringdegradedhabitatthatwe,andfuturegenerations,dependon.

2.2 Summary of policy drivers and legislation

In1992,theUKsignedthe‘RioConvention’attheUnitedNationsEarthSummit,andcommittedtohaltingbiodiversitydeclinethroughtheUKBiodiversityActionPlan(UKBAP).Localgovernmentauthoritiesandmanypublicandprivateorganisationshavesinceproduced

theirownBAPstoidentifylocalprioritiesanddeterminethecontributiontheycanmaketothedeliveryoftheUKBAP.ALondonBiodiversityActionPlanhasbeenproducedbytheLondonBiodiversityPartnership.

Ataregionallevel,theMayorofLondon’sStatutoryBiodiversityStrategyaimstoenhancehabitatsinGreaterLondon,implementpoliciesforprotectingandenhancingbiodiversityandincreasingLondoners’understandingandappreciationofthecity’snaturalenvironment.TheMayor'sStatutoryTransportStrategyalsoseekstoconservebiodiversitythroughrelevantprogrammes.Additionally,theMayor’s‘Draft Replacement London Plan’,whichsetsoutanintegratedeconomic,environmental,transportandsocialframeworkforthedevelopmentofthecapitaloverthenext20–25years,includesPolicy7.19:Biodiversityandaccesstonature,whichadoptstheLondonBAPtargetsforhabitatrestorationandcreation.

TheMayorpublished‘Leading to a Greener London’inJuly2009.Hisvisionfortheenvironmentincludesa‘MakingLondonGreener’programmewhich,amongstotherthings,commitstoimplementinganAllLondonGreenGridandpromotinggreenroofsandwalls.ThesearesupportedbyDraftReplacementLondonPlanPolicy:2.18greenInfrastructure,andPolicy5.10:UrbanGreeningrespectively.

TransportforLondonhasitsownEnvironmentStrategywithanobjectivetomaintainandwherepossibleenhancethequalityofLondon’snatural

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 Introduction 5

environment.ThisnaturallyreflectsalltheMayor’sstrategicaims.

SupportingtheaimsoftheMayor’sstrategies,theLondonBAPandTfL’senvironmentstrategynaturallyassistsLUtomeetitslegaldutyundertheNaturalEnvironmentandRuralCommunitiesAct2006“tohaveregardtoconservingbiodiversityinexercisingtheirfunctions”.

2.3 Biodiversity in 2010 and Landscape scale conservation

TheUnitedNationsdeclared2010astheInternationalYearofBiodiversity.TheaimofthededicatedyearwastoreturnbiodiversityanditscontinuingdeclinebackintheglobalspotlightsinceitsprofilewasfirstraisedattheRiodeJaneiroEarth Summitin1992.ThenewNagoyaSummitheldinlate2010agreedgoalsandtargetsthatlookto“atleasthalveandwherefeasible”bringclosetozerotherateoflossofnaturalhabitats;aswellastoincreasetheareaofterrestrialandmarinewildlifereservesglobally.

IntheUK,thefirstUKBiodiversityActionPlanwaspublishedin1994.ThemostrecentUKBAPreportwasreleasedin2008andworkcontinuestoestablishthesuccessofnationalefforts.TheDepartmentforEnvironment,Fisheries,andRuralAffairs(Defra)recentlylaunchedtwoecologyreviews.‘Natural Environment – Adapting to Climate Change’,publishedinMarch2010,aimstoestablishiftheUK’swildlifesitesarecapableofrespondingtothechallengesofclimatechangeandotherpressures.InSeptember2010

theLawtonreview‘Making Space for Nature’waspublished.Thereview,comprisedofanationalecosystemassessmentexaminingtheservicesourhabitatsandspeciesprovidetosocietyandtheeconomy,calledforintegratedbiodiversitydeliveryatalandscape-scaleandtheestablishmentofEcologicalRestorationZones(ERZ).ThecurrentGovernmenthaspromisedto“introducemeasurestoprotectwildlifeandpromotegreenspacesandwildlifecorridorsinordertohaltthelossofhabitats”.DefraissettoincorporatetherecommendationsofthesereviewsintotheforthcomingNaturalEnvironmentWhitePaperwhichisdueinSpring 2011.

However,despitetheimplementationofBAPsandotherconservationmeasures,andalthoughtheoverallrateoflosshasslowed,biodiversityisstillindeclineintheUKandgloballyduetosuchpressuresasintensivefarming,waterandairpollution,waterabstraction,andhumanity’severgrowingneedformorespace.Futureclimatechangeislikelytoacceleratetheselossestoo.

AchangetotheapproachtakentomanagenatureconservationisneededsothattheUKcanhaltthedeclineinbiodiversityonitslandandsurroundingsea,andthenworktowardsrecovery.Legalprotectionofscatteredareasofland,suchasnaturereserveswithSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI)status,andBAPsarecurrentlyusedintheUKtoprotectendangeredspeciesandhabitats.

Torebuildbiodiversityonalandscapescale,areaswithgreatestpotentialmustfirstbeidentified.InDecember2009,NaturalEnglandpublishedadocument(‘Securing Biodiversity: the delivery framework for habitats and species in England’)thatpresentedtheconceptofIntegratedBiodiversityDeliveryAreas(IBDA),similartotheERZsrecommendedin‘Making Space for Nature’.

TheselargeareasoflandhavebeenidentifiedasapriorityforbiodiversityenhancementduetotheirexistingbiodiversityinterestandwheresignificantBAPdeliveryoccurs.InLondon,NaturalEnglandhasidentifiedtheThamesandTributaryareaassuitableforlandscape-scaleconservation.TheUK’sWildlifeTrustsarealsoseekingtodeliverlargescaleschemescalled‘LivingLandscapes’,whilsttheRSPBcalltheirprioritybiodiversityconservationareas‘Futurescapes’.AnimportantnationalRSPBFuturescapeistheThamesEstuary,startingatTowerBridgeandextendingouttosea.LU’slandholdingsandinvolvementwiththeThamesandTributaryareashavethepotentialtoplayanimportantroleinsupportingthedeliveryofprojectsliketheThamesFuturescape;byprovidingcorridorsforwildlife,andlinksforLondonerstoaccessthewiderThames Futurescape.

Landscape-scalerestorationforbiodiversitymaynotbefeasibleintheurbanisedenvironmentofcentralLondon,buttheprinciplesoutlinedabovehavebeenincorporatedintotheconceptofgreeninfrastructure,whichseekstopromote,design

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 6

Benefits delivered by biodiversity IntheUK,ourecosystemsconservewatersupplies,protectagainstfloodinganderosion,storemillionsoftonnesofCO2andprovidethepollinatinginsectsthatourfoodcropsdependon.Ontopofthistheyalsoprovidearangeofamenityfacilitiesforustopicnicon,sailonandramblethrough,benefitingthehealthandwellbeingofmillions.Inotherwords,ourecosystemsprovideservicescriticaltoour survival.

EconomicstudiessuchasTheEcologyandEconomicsofBiodiversity(TEEB),theUN-backedinvestmentbankledreport,havetriedtoestimatethevalueofourecosystems;withfiguresreachinginthebillions.Yetthespeciesandhabitatsprovidingtheseservicesarestillindecline.Landscapescaleconservationwillhaltthedeclineandhelptorestorebiodiversity.Wemustalsoeducateandselltheecosystemservicesthatournaturalenvironmentprovides,sothatpeopleunderstandtheeconomic,environmentalandsocialbenefitsofbiodiversity.

Climatechangemodellingindicatestherewillbeatrendtowardshotter,driersummers(interspersedwithmoreintensiveperiodsofrainfall)andwarmer,wetterwinters.ThismeanstheUK’scountrysideandurbanareasneedtobemanagedinwaysthat“climatechangeproof”ourlandscapesandsustaintheecosystemservicestheyprovide.Herearesomeexamplesofwhereconservingbiodiversitywillalsohelpconserveourday-to-daylives.

Flood protectionIntheUK,halfourancientwoodlandhasbeenlostsincethe1940sand98%oflowlandgrasslandsincethe1950s,duetointensiveagriculturalpracticesandsprawlingurbandevelopment.Greenspacesandvegetationcanhelpregulatewaterflow.Trees,plantsandgrassabsorbwaterduringperiodsofheavyrainfallandcanreducetheimpactofrainfall–particularlyintheurbanenvironmente.g.flashflooding.ForLU,habitatmanagementthatcontributestowaterregulationcanreducetheimpactofheavyrainfallonourdrainagesystemsandpotentialfloodingofourassets.

Reducing urban “heat Islands”Inurbanareas,summertemperaturescanbeupto5ºChigherthanthecountryside;conversely,inthewintermonths,theeffectsofdrivingwindandrainareexacerbatedbybeingchannelledbetweenbuildings.Increasinggreenery,e.g.greenroofsandlivingwalls,willprovidenaturalairconditioningthatreducestemperatures,shadeandactasnaturalwindsuppressants.Thecontributionofourhabitatsandgreenspacesincontributingtoreducingtheurbanheatislandeffectisimportantforourcustomers,staffandassets.

Pollution controlTheairandwaterinurbanenvironmentsismorepollutedbecauseofcontaminantsfromtransportandfuelcombustion.Wetlandvegetation,especiallyreedbeds,canbeeffectiveinfilteringrun-offfromhardsurfacessuchasroadsandcarparksandinlesseningthenutrientloadinurbanlakesthatresultinharmfulalgaegrowth.Treesandhedgerowscanhaveapositive,ifsmall,impactinfilteringairandnoisepollutiontoo.

andmanageamultifunctionalnetworkofgreenandnaturalspaceswhichcandeliver,amongstotherthings,benefitsforbiodiversity.InLondontheconceptofgreeninfrastructureisbeingimplementedthroughtheAllLondonGreenGrid.LUcanactasanimportantlocalpartnerbyadaptingwhereappropriateitscurrentlandmanagementpracticestoalignwiththeobjectivesofAllLondonGreenGrid.

GreenspaceInformationforGreaterLondon(GiGL)hasproducedHabitatSuitabilityMapsfortheLondonBiodiversityPartnership(LBP)thatincludestheIBDAThamesandTributaryarea.GiGLisLondon’senvironmentalrecordscentrehostedbyLondonWildlifeTrust.Itcollates,managesandmakesavailabledetailedinformationonLondon’swildlife,parks,naturereserves,gardensandotheropenspaces.TfLisamemberofGiGLandLUcontributesourwildlifeandhabitatdatatothisenvironmentalrecordscentre.

TheHabitatSuitabilityMapsidentifyareaswherepriorityLondonBAPhabitats,suchasacidgrasslandandheath,mayberestoredorincreasedinsizebecausetheecologicalconditionsaresuitable.AspartofitsBAP,LUwillestablishwhereitslandintersectsareasidentifiedonthesemapsandthenseektomanageitslandtoincreasepriorityhabitatswherepracticabletodosotosupportthemovetolandscape-scaleconservationofbiodiversity,championedbyNaturalEngland,LBPandRSPBdescribed above.

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3. L

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ity 3.1 Wildlife and habitat overview

of LU propertyAlthoughoverhalfoftheLondonUndergroundnetworkisaboveground,onlyeightoftheelevenlineshaveanysignificantover-groundsections.TheMetropolitan,CentralandPiccadillylinemakeupalmost70%ofthetotaltracksidevegetationandwildlifearea.TheCirclelineandWaterloo&Citylinedonothaveanyabovegroundelements.TheonlyabovegroundsectionoftrackontheVictorialineisashortsectionleadingintotheNorthumberlandParkdepot.

Muchofthenetworkisonraisedembankmentsandthenaturalsoilsandunderlyinggeologyhavelittleimpactonthevegetation.MostofLU'sline-sidehabitatsare‘semi-natural’orBrownfield,althoughotherhabitatsincludeancientwoodlands,acidgrasslandandwetlands.Themostmaturewoodlandswiththehighestdiversityofspeciesarepresentattheendsofthelines.Youngerandlessdiversewoodlands(dominatedbysycamoreandash)tendtooccurclosertoLondon,whilemuchofthehabitatincentralLondoniswastelandhabitatofvariablequality.Thereareextensiveareasofgrasslandandtallherbdominatedvegetationincertainareas.TherearefewareasofwetlandsorpondsonLUproperty.

Whilemostofthehabitatsarenotofnationalorregionalimportancefornatureconservation,theseminaturalrail-sidehabitatsareconsideredasimportantfortheirlocalvalue.ThesehabitatsareparticularlyimportantwhentheyarefoundclosetocentralLondon.

SurveyscarriedoutonthepropertyhaveidentifiedhundredsofplantsandanimalspeciesontheLUnetwork.InformationonthehabitatsandspeciesonLU'snetworkcamefromarangeofsourcesincluding:• Biodiversitysurveyreport(LondonUnderground,2000)

• EcologySurvey:PhaseOneSSLandBCV(2005)• EcologySurvey:PhaseTwoSSLandBCV(2006)• PhaseOne(plus)SurveyofTubeLinesJubilee,NorthernandPiccadilly,depotsandsidings(TubeLines,2006)

• InformationfromGreenspaceInformationforGreaterLondon(GiGL)

• Othervoluntarygroups,e.g.theLondonBat Group

TheecologicalsurveysshowthatanumberoflocallyandnationallyrarespeciesuseLUproperty.Nationallyrareorprotectedspecieshavebeenfoundonanumberoflines,includingthreespeciesofbats,songthrush,wryneckandGreatCrestedNewts.Table1belowliststheUKandLondonBiodiversityActionPlan(BAP)speciesrecordedonLondonUnderground property.

Anumberof‘notableforLondon’plantspecies,suchaslongheadedpoppy,paletoadflaxandgreatercelandine,havebeenrecordedonLondonUndergroundproperty.AnumberofendangeredandnationallyscarceinvertebratespecieshavealsobeenrecordedincludingUKBAP,RedDataBooksendangeredandRedDataBookunknown species.

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU and Biodiversity 8

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Badger Meles meles

Commonrat Rattus norvegicus

Daubenton’sbat Myotis daubentoni

Fox Vulpes vulpes

Fieldvole Microtus agrestris

Greysquirrel Sciurus carolinensis

Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus

Mole Talpa europaea

Muntjacdeer Muntiacus reevesi

Pipistrellebat Pipistrellus pipistrellus

Natterer'sbat Myotis nattereri

Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus

Shrew Sorex araneus

Stoat Mustela erminea

Watervole Arvicola terrestris

Woodmouse Apodemus sylvaticus

Table 1 – Mammals recorded on LU property since 1999


Table 2 – Reptiles and amphibians recorded on LU property since 1999 Ba

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Reptiles

Commonlizard Lacerta vivipara

Grasssnake Natrix natrix

Slowworm Anguis fragilis

Amphibians

Commonfrog Rana temporaria

Commontoad Bufo bufo

Greatcrestednewt Triturus cristatus

Smoothnewt Triturus vulgaris

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Blackbird Turdus merula 0

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla

Blackheadedgull Larus ridibundus

Bluetit Parus caeruleus

Table 3 – Birds recorded on LU property since 1999


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Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula

Carrioncrow Corvus corone

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs

ChiffChaff Phylloscopus collybita

Collareddove Streptopelia decaocto

Dunnock Prunella modularis

Feralpigeon Columba livia

Gardenwarbler Sylvia borin

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Greattit Parus major

Greaterspottedwoodpecker

Dendrocopos major

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris

Greenwoodpecker Picus viridis

Greyheron Ardea cinerea

Greywagtail Motacilla cinerea

Herringgull Larus argentatus

Housemartin Delichon urbica

Housesparrow Passer domesticus

Jay Garrulus glandarius

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Table 3 – Birds recorded on LU property since 1999 – continued


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Lesserwhitethroat Sylvia curruca

Littlegrebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

Linnet Carduelis cannabina

Long-tailedtit Aegithalos caudatus

Magpie Pica pica

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

Piedwagtail Motacilla alba

Robin Erithacus rubecula

SongThrush Turdus philomelos

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Swallow Hirundo rustica

Swift Apus apus

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Whitethroat Sylvia communis

Willowwarbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Woodpidgeon Columba palumbus

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes

Wryneck Jynx torquilla

YellowWagtail Motacilla flava

Table 3 – Birds recorded on LU property since 1999 – continued

12

MostofthehabitatsonLUpropertyare‘semi-natural’,althoughhabitatsrangefromancientwoodlandtomaturingwasteland.SomeoftheimportanthabitattypespresentonLUpropertyincludeacidgrassland,maturebroad-leavedwoodland,woodlandhabitatincentralLondonandspecies-richgrassland.Thepredominanthabitatsnotedwerewoodland,grasslandandscrublandalthoughotherhabitatssuchaswastelandandwetlandswerealsorecorded.

3.2 Biodiversity highlightsThefollowinglinediagramsnotesomeofthebiodiversityhighlightswhichhavebeenrecordedonLUpropertyoverthepast10years.ThediagramsfollowtheLondonUndergroundnetworkmapandarenotgeographicallycorrect.NotallspeciesandhabitatsrecordedonLondonUndergroundpropertyhavebeenhighlightedonthediagrams.Photoshavebeenusedtoillustratethelinediagrams;notallofthephotosweretakenatthesitereferredto.

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU and Biodiversity


Central line

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow

Custom House for ExCeL

Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

Fulham Broadway

LambethNorth

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

North Wembley

West Brompton

Ealing Common

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens

Richmond

Stockwell

Bow Church

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Camden Town

Willesden Junction

Parsons Green

Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet

Totteridge & Whetstone

Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

Acton Town

CanningTown

Finchley Road Highbury &Islington

Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Elephant & Castle

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

Poplar

West Ham

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Elm ParkDagenhamEast

DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross

HeathrowTerminals 1, 2, 3

WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

ChiswickPark

Ickenham

TurnhamGreen

Uxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

Harrow &Wealdstone

Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich

RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Whitechapel

Lewisham

Kilburn Park

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

GoodgeStreet

Shepherd’s BushMarket

Goldhawk Road

Hammersmith

Bayswater

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon

BarbicanRussellSquare

Kensington(Olympia)

MorningtonCrescent

High StreetKensington

Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

BakerStreet

Victoria

AldgateEast

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

Hill

Westminster

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Tower Gateway

Monument

Moorgate

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

StamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

Marylebone

Angel

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

StreetWarwick AvenueMaida Vale Paddington

BaronsCourt

GloucesterRoad St. James’s

Park Temple

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

King’s CrossSt. Pancras

EustonSquareEdgware

Road

Waterloo

Southwark

EmbankmentNorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

Ealing Broadway

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

NottingHill Gate

OxfordCircus

BondStreet

Queensway MarbleArch

LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road

Holborn St. Paul’sBank

ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

Mile End

LiverpoolStreet

Water voles (pictured) and Pippistrelle bats

Grass snake (pictured) and common lizard

Wryneck – this small woodpecker is a rare migrant with just a few breeding pairs recorded in Britain

Mixed ash and sycamore woodland

Great Crested Newt (pictured) and Smooth Newt

Nationally rare and endangered invertebrate species recorded between Greenford and Northolt

recorded on the Central line: • Great crested newt, Pipistrelle bats, shrew, fox,

rabbit, water voles, grey squirrel, wood mouse • 16 species of birds• 273 species of invertebrates from 89 families • Slow worm and common lizard • Grass snakes and smooth newt

Trackside habitat area – 838 hectares

Wide trackside habitats along Ealing Broadway spur: mix of coarse grassland, tall herbs, scrub and scattered trees

Species rich grassland community between East Acton and White City


AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

CanningTown


Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon


MorningtonCrescent

Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

Tower Gateway

Moorgate

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Angel

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

Street

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane


EustonSquare

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

LiverpoolStreet

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park

Warwick AvenueMaida Vale

OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

Marylebone

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Waterloo

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens

RichmondParsons Green

Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Acton Town

ChiswickPark

TurnhamGreen

HammersmithVictoria

WestminsterStamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

BaronsCourt


Park

Kensington(Olympia)

Embankment

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

HillMonument

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

West Ham


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

WhitechapelAldgate

East

Paddington

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


EdgwareRoad

District line

recorded on the district line: • Wood mouse, fox and rabbit • 16 species of birds • 273 species of invertebrates from 89 families • Slow worm and common lizard • Grass snakes and smooth newt

Trackside habitat area – 387 hectaresRichmondbranchismanagedbyNetworkRail

Mixed broadleaf woodland

Grass snake, slow worm (pictured) and common lizard

Great Crested Newt

Species rich grassland

Smooth Newt

Endangered Carder bumblebee

Water voles

Woodland and scrub


Jubilee line

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Brixton

Blackhorse Road

Highbury &Islington

FinsburyPark

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon


MorningtonCrescent

Old Street

Tower Gateway

Moorgate

Leicester Square

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Angel

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

Street

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Wood Lane


EustonSquare

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

LiverpoolStreet

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park


OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad Marylebone

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens


Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Acton Town

ChiswickPark

TurnhamGreen

HammersmithVictoria

StamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

BaronsCourt


Park

Kensington(Olympia)

Embankment

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

HillMonument

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

WhitechapelAldgate

East

Paddington

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


EdgwareRoad

West Ham

Stratford

CanningTown

NorthGreenwich

Canary Wharf

CanadaWater

London Bridge

BermondseyWestminster

BakerStreet

Waterloo

BondStreet

Green Park

Southwark

WembleyPark

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Finchley Road

St. John’s Wood

recorded on the Jubilee line: • Field voles, rabbit, mole, wood mouse and fox• 17 species of birds • 96 species of invertebrates from 43 families


Mixed broadleaved woodland with areas of tall herbs

Oak and birch woodland

Developing wasteland plant community

Cornflower (UK BAP Species)

Longheaded poppy (notable London species)


Metropolitan line

Mill Hill East

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

HeathrowTerminal 4

Westferry

SevenSisters

BlackwallRoyal

Victoria

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

CanningTown

Highbury &Islington

Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia


Shadwell

CanadaWater

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Warren Street

Euston

RussellSquare

MorningtonCrescent

Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

Tower Gateway

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Angel

Covent Garden

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park


OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad Marylebone

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Waterloo

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens


Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Acton Town

ChiswickPark

TurnhamGreen

HammersmithVictoria


RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

BaronsCourt


Park

Kensington(Olympia)

Embankment

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

HillMonument

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

West Ham


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

WhitechapelAldgate

East

Paddington

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

AmershamChorleywood

Rickmansworth

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow

Watford

Croxley

Harrow-on-the-Hill

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

Finchley Road

West

IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip RuislipManor

Eastcote

GreatPortland

Street

Harrow


EustonSquare

LiverpoolStreet

Aldgate

Farringdon

Barbican

Moorgate

recorded on the metropolitan line: • Pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats, badgers,

grey squirrel, common rat, mole, rabbit, stoat, wood mouse and fox

• 27 species of birds • 266 species of invertebrates from 94 families • Great crested newt and smooth newt • Slow worm and grass snake


High quality mature mixed broadleaved woodland, including areas with ancient woodland characteristics, e.g. dog’s mercury.

Badger (pictured), wood mouse and smooth newt

Bats (pictured), water vole, smooth newt and grass snake

Extensive Great Crested Newt population close to Ruislip depot

Great crested newt and smooth newt (pictured)

Grass snakes (pictured), slow worm and common lizard

Slow worm (pictured), common lizard and badger


Piccadilly line

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Pimlico

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

CanningTown


Canary Wharf

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Morden

WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia


Shadwell

CanadaWater

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon

Barbican

MorningtonCrescent

Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Tower Gateway

Moorgate

London Bridge

Angel

GreatPortland

Street

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

EustonSquare

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road

St. Paul’sBank

ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

LiverpoolStreet

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park


OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

Marylebone

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

CharingCross

Waterloo

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens


Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

ChiswickPark

Victoria


RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SloaneSquare

St. James’sPark

Kensington(Olympia)

Embankment

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

HillMonument

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

West Ham


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

WhitechapelAldgate

East

Paddington

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


EdgwareRoad

Ealing Common

Acton Town

TurnhamGreen

HammersmithBaronsCourt

HeathrowTerminal 4

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Park Royal

North Ealing

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow EastHounslow

West

Hatton Cross


IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip RuislipManor

Eastcote

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

GloucesterRoad

PiccadillyCircus

Holborn

Green Park Leicester Square

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Covent Garden

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

FinsburyParkArsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

RussellSquare


recorded on the Piccadilly line: • Field voles, wood mice, muntjac deer, grey

squirrel, hedgehog, rabbit, stoat and fox• 22 species of birds • 221 species of invertebrates from 95 families • Smooth newt


House sparrow (London BAP species)

Seasonally wet woodland (UK HAP habitat)

Maturing wasteland (London HAP habitat)

Mixed broadleaved woodland with areas of tall herbs

GrasslandSilver Birch

Grass snakeMixed native and non-native broadleaved woodland

Acid woodland

Pale toadflax (notable London species)

Greater celandine (notable London flower)


AmershamChorleywood

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing Bow Church

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

CanningTown


Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Lewisham


Goldhawk Road

Aldgate

Farringdon


St. John’s Wood

Green Park

Tower Gateway

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

Street

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

EustonSquare

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

BondStreet


LancasterGate

Holborn St. Paul’s

ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

LiverpoolStreet

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park


OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

Marylebone

LambethNorth

PiccadillyCircus

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens


Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Acton Town

ChiswickPark

TurnhamGreen

HammersmithVictoria


RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

BaronsCourt


Park

Kensington(Olympia)

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

Hill

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

West Ham


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

WhitechapelAldgate

East

Paddington

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


EdgwareRoad

Stockwell

Kennington

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Morden

Elephant & Castle

Borough

London Bridge

Monument

Bank

Old Street

Moorgate

Euston

MorningtonCrescent

Angel


Mill Hill East

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Camden Town

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Embankment

CharingCross

Waterloo

TottenhamCourt Road

GoodgeStreet

Warren Street

Leicester Square

Northern line

recorded on the northern line: • Pipistrelle and Natterer's bats, grey squirrel,

brown rat, and fox • 18 species of birds • 178 species of invertebrates from 69 families • Slow worm and common frog


House sparrow (London BAP species)

Wasteland (London HAP habitat)

One of few wetland sites on the network is dominated by common wetland birds: moorhens, warblers and the little grebe Natterer's (pictured),

Pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats

Common orchid growing on artificial substrate

A disused spur colonised by species found in Highgate Wood provides an important refuge to plant and animal species which are sensitive to disturbance

Small toadflax (notable London species)


AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

CanningTown


Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Poplar

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

IckenhamUxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

RussellSquare

MorningtonCrescent

Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

Tower Gateway

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

Angel

Covent Garden

Bermondsey

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

WhiteCity

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park


OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Waterloo

Marylebone

Ealing Broadway

Fulham Broadway

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens


Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Acton Town

ChiswickPark

TurnhamGreen

Victoria


RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

BaronsCourt


Park

Kensington(Olympia)

Embankment

Temple

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

HillMonument


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

NottingHill Gate

Bayswater


Hammersmith


Goldhawk Road

Wood Lane

Paddington

EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Farringdon

Barbican

GreatPortland

Street


EustonSquare

LiverpoolStreet

Moorgate

Mile End

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

West Ham

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

WhitechapelAldgate

East

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

Fulham Broadway

LambethNorth

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Park Royal

North Ealing

North Wembley

West Brompton

Ealing Common

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens

Richmond

Bow Church

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Camden Town

Willesden Junction

Parsons Green

Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Acton Town

CanningTown

Finchley Road

Canary Wharf

Elephant & Castle

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

Poplar

West Ham

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

Limehouse EastIndia

ChiswickPark

Ickenham

TurnhamGreen

Uxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

Harrow &Wealdstone


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Whitechapel

Lewisham

Kilburn Park

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Hammersmith

Bayswater

Aldgate

Farringdon


Kensington(Olympia)

MorningtonCrescent


Old Street

St. John’s Wood

BakerStreet

AldgateEast

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

Hill

Westminster

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Tower Gateway

Monument

Moorgate

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

StamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

Marylebone

Angel

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

StreetWarwick AvenueMaida Vale Paddington

BaronsCourt


Park Temple

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

EustonSquareEdgware

Road

Waterloo

Southwark


Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

Ealing Broadway

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

NottingHill Gate

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

Mile End

LiverpoolStreet

Stockwell

Brixton

Vauxhall

Pimlico

Victoria

OxfordCircus

Green Park

Warren Street

Euston


SevenSisters

Blackhorse Road

Highbury &Islington

FinsburyPark

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Vauxhall

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Hampstead

Belsize Park

Chalk Farm

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

Fulham Broadway

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners Lane

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

West Brompton

Ealing Common

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens

Richmond

Stockwell

Bow Church

Camden Town

Parsons Green

Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

Acton Town

CanningTown


Canary Wharf

FinsburyPark

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

Poplar

West Ham

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

Limehouse EastIndia

ChiswickPark

Ickenham

TurnhamGreen

Uxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Whitechapel

Lewisham

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Hammersmith

Bayswater

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon


Kensington(Olympia)

MorningtonCrescent


Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

Victoria

AldgateEast

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon StreetTower

Hill

Westminster

Tower Gateway

Monument

Moorgate

Leicester Square

London Bridge

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

StamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

Angel

SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

Covent Garden

GreatPortland

Street

BaronsCourt


Park Temple

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal Oak

Westbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane


EustonSquareEdgware

Road

Southwark

NorthGreenwich

Perivale

Hanger Lane

RuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

Ealing Broadway

West Ruislip

WestActon

NorthActon

HollandPark

EastActon

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity

NottingHill Gate

BondStreet


LancasterGate

TottenhamCourt Road


ChanceryLane

BethnalGreen

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

Stratford

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

Mile End

LiverpoolStreet

North Wembley

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Willesden Junction

Harrow &Wealdstone

Kilburn Park

Warwick AvenueMaida Vale Paddington

OxfordCircus

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

BakerStreet

Marylebone

LambethNorth

Elephant & Castle

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Waterloo

Embankment

Hammersmith and City line

Bakerloo line Victoria lineTrackside habitat area – 1.3 hectares



The majority of above ground track is owned and managed by Network Rail. LU manages two overground sections of track – around Queen’s Park station and Stonebridge Park Depot.

The only section of above ground track is a short section leading into Northumberland Park Depot.

Slow worm (pictured) and common lizard

Wembley brook runs along northern edge of Stonebridge Park depot (in concrete channel)

Northumberland Park Depot

Assorted woodland and scrub, including hawthorn, sycamore and birch

Mosaic of grassland, tall herbaceous species and scrub

Blue Carpenter bee (rare and nationally important species)

Some areas of woodland – important at a local scale, as there are few areas of natural or semi-natural habitats in Central London

20

3.3 Biodiversity value of the LU network

Landscape-scaleconservationmeansconsolidatingandexpandingvaluableorthreatenedhabitats,andcreatingnewhabitatareas.Thelargeranareaofhabitatisthemoreplantandanimalspecieswillbefoundonitandthelargerpopulationsofeachspecies.Thebiggeralocalpopulationis,thelesschancethereisofitbecominglocallyextinct.Providinglargerblocksofnaturalandsemi-naturalhabitats,willalsoincreasetheecosystemservicesthey provide.

Wildlifecorridorsandstepping-stonesarekeytolandscape-scaleconservationtoo.Thesewillhelpwildlifeadapttoclimatechange,byenablingthemtomovearoundthecountrysafelytonewsuitablehabitatsasthesouthoftheUKwarms.LUpropertyhasalreadybeenidentifiedasanessentialgreencorridorforLondon’swildlifeintheMayor’sBiodiversityStrategywhichstatesthatitprovides“anexcellentnetworkofgreenspacethroughoutthecapital”.

ThebiodiversityimportanceofLU’slinesideenvironmentsvariesdependingupontheareasofsurroundinglandthattheypassthrough.InareassuchastheinnerLondonboroughs,railwaylinesidescanprovidehabitatsthatarenotpresentelsewhereintheboroughduetothepressuresofurbandevelopment.Inaddition,thelossofBrownfieldsites(oropenmosaichabitatsonpreviouslydevelopedland)withinLondontodevelopmentmeansthattheimportanceoflinesidehabitatsareincreasedasecologicalresourceselsewhereareevenmore

limited.Brownfieldhabitatsarenowrecognisedasnationallyimportant,scarcehabitatsofexceptionallyhighbiodiversityvalue.Railwaylinesidesarethereforeveryimportantasinmanycasestheyreplicatethecharacteristicsofthishabitattype.

Ourextensiveportfolioofoperational,disusedandnon-operationalpropertysupportssignificantareasofbiodiversityinLondon.Over800hectaresoftracksideat200sitesonLU'snetworkhavebeenidentifiedasSitesofImportanceforNatureConservation(SINC).AlthoughtherearenoSitesofSpecialScientificInterestpresentonLU'snetwork,theMetropolitanlinebisectstheCroxleyCommonMoorSSSInearCroxley,animportantHertfordshireacidgrasslandandheathlandarea.AnumberoftracksideareassuchasGunnersburyTriangleinChiswickareactivelymanagedasnaturereserves.

TheCentrallinerunscloseto,andinsomeareasimmediatelyadjacenttosectionsofEppingForestSSSI,whichisalsodesignatedaSpecialAreaofConservation(SAC)whichislocatedbetweenWoodfordandBuckhurstHillandLeytonstoneandSnaresbrook.PondsfieldParkSiteofImportanceforNatureConservation(SINC)islocatedbetweenDagenhamHeathwayandDagenhamEastontheDistrictline,hasbeendesignatedforthesmallareasofacidgrasslandspresent.RoxbourneParkSINClocatedbetweenRaynersLaneandEastcoteontheMetropolitanlineincludesbothacidandneutralgrasslands.

Awidevarietyofmammal,reptile,amphibianandinvertebratespecieswererecordedon

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU and Biodiversity


LUpropertyduringsurveys,someofwhichareofnational,regionalorlocalbiodiversityimportance.Over550plantspecies,42birdspecies,14mammals,538invertebratespecies,3reptilespeciesand3amphibianspecieshavebeenrecordedonLUland.Anumberofthesearelegallyprotectedorlocallyimportantanimalspecies,includingbats,wryneck,greatcrestednewts,stagbeetles,slowworms,watervoles,nativegoldenrod,commonorchidandbluebells.

Predictably,thepotentialcontributionofundergroundtunnelsandtrackareastosuchconservationislimited.Thedarkenvironmentholdslittlescopeforsafesurvivalofmostanimalsandplants.Builtstructuresaboveground,orpartlyexposedatorbetweenstations,docontribute,providingrefugeswhereparticularplantsoranimalsareabletothrive.

3.4 Vegetation managementNon-nativepestspeciesofplantsandanimalsmaybefoundonournetwork.OakProcessionaryMothsandtheirlarvaewereintroducedtoBritainaroundtheRichmondareaafewyearsago.EradicationplansdevelopedwithallstakeholdersinvolvedandtheForestryCommissionarestillongoing.Twoplantspeciesthathaveanegativeimpactonbiodiversity,JapaneseKnotweedandgianthogweed,arepresenttoo.Thispublicationwillbeusedtohelpmonitortheeffectivenessinreducingthesespeciesonourproperty.

Forsafetyreasons,accesstooperationalrailwaylandisrestricted,leavingwildliferelativelyundisturbedapartfrommaintenanceactivities

andthepassageoftrains.However,aslongasthesafeperformanceoftherailwayisnotaffectedinanyway,linesidelandcanprovideimportantsecludedareasasrefugesforwildlife,especiallyspeciesthatelsewheremaybevulnerabletohumandisturbance.

TwokeyelementsofLU’sactivitiestomaintainandrenewtheLondonUndergroundnetworkhavethepotentialtoimpactbiodiversity,namelyvegetationmaintenanceandprojectworksthatinvolvevegetationclearance.ItisbymakingsubtlechangestothesetwopracticesthatLUhasthebestopportunitiestomakeimprovementstolinesidebiodiversity,withoutincreasingcosts.

Theregularcontrolofvegetationisessentialtoprotectfencelines,embankments,cuttingslopesandthetrackinfrastructurefromtheeffectsofencroachmentbyvegetationaswellastocontrolthespreadofinvasiveandinjuriousplantspecies.Vegetationmaintenanceisnecessarytopreventfutureproblemsassociatedwiththegrowthofvegetationthatcannegativelyaffecttheefficientrunningoftheoperationalrailway.Forexample,problemscanarisefromleaffallonrails,treesandbranchesfallingontothetrackorobscuringsignals,andvegetationcanaffectthestabilityofslopesincuttingsandembankments.

Projectworks,suchasembankmentandcuttingstabilisationschemes,trackrenewals,drainageworks,andoccasionallystationworks,alsohavethepotentialtoimpactuponthewildlifealongthetrack.Allworksareundertakentoensurethatprotectedspeciesarenotaffectedduringworks.Forexample,whenMetropolitanlinetrack

renewalworkswereplannedinAmersham,abadgersettwasidentifiedwithinthevicinityoftheworksiteandalicencewasobtainedfortheworks,whichwerecarriedoutwithanecologistpresenttominimiseimpacts.

Followingworksthatrequiretheremovalofsignificantamountsofvegetation,landscapingisundertaken.Landscapingcanplayanessentialpartinmaintainingslopestabilityoncerootstructureshavebeenestablishedandcanbenefitlocalresidentswholiveadjacenttothetrack.SoimportantislandscapingtoLUoperationsthatspecifications,whichareapplicabletoallcontractorsundertakinganyworksonthenetwork,aremandatedinaLandscapingandVegetationstandard.

However,itisnotalwayspossibletohaveapositiveimpactonthebiodiversity.Where


diseasedordamagedtreesthreatenthesaferunningoftherailway,theyareremoved.Sometreesandanimals,e.g.Badgersthatliveclosetothetrack,mayundermineembankmentstability.Inthesecases,LUwillworkwiththerelevantauthoritiestoensurethatouractivitiesarecarriedoutinasensitivemannerandminimisedisturbanceasmuchasisreasonably practical.

LondonUnderground'sHealthSafetyandEnvironmentalPolicycommitsLUtoactivelysupportingtheMayor'sBiodiversityStrategy.ThereareclearstandardsformanageingLUpropertywhichrequiresthatalltrees,shrubsandflowersplantedarecompatiblewiththeoperationoftherailway,encouragespeciesdiversityandenhancethelandscape.LUmonitorsactivitiesregulalryandrequiresthatanyenvironmentalincidentswhichcouldadverselyaffectbiodiversitytobereportedand investigated.

3.5 Access to greenspacesAswellasthesignificantroleLUplayinmanagingthisproperty,LUalsohastheopportunitytoincreaseLondoners'awarenessofboththebiodiversityvalueofLUpropertyandthetransportserviceprovidedtointerstinghabitatsandspeciesacrossLondon,suchasHampsteadHeath,KewGardensandCamleyStreetNaturalPark

Openspaces,whetheraparkorcommon,playingfieldsoragolfcourse,allotmentsoracivicsquare,areimportanttothequalityoflifeofallLondon’sresidents.Theyarekeyfeaturesofthe

capital,providingareasfortourism,relaxation,sportandrecreation,aidingthemitigationofclimatechangesandevenboostingtheeconomyoftheirlocalareas.TheimportanceofopenspacestoLondonisrecognisedintheDraftReplacementLondonPlanandtheMayor’sTransportStrategy,wherenumerouspoliciesprovideforimprovedaccessto,aswellastheirprotectionandmanagementofopenspaces.

ArecentreportbyCommissionofArchitectureandtheBuiltEnviornment(CABE),statesthat“accesstodecentgreenspace,alongsidehousing,healthandeducation,isabasicrequirementforagoodqualityoflife”(takenfrom‘Community Green: using local spaces to tackle inequality and improve health, 2010’).London’sTubenetworkisimportantinprovidingaccesstogreenspaces,particularlythelargerparksandopenspaces.InthefutureGiGLLU

hopetobeabletoprovidetravellingtimestopubliclyaccessibleopenspaces.Thesewillbebasedonaccuratedistancesalongpathsandroadsfrome.g.parkaccesspointstoaTube station.

London’spubliclyaccessibleopenspacesarecategorisedinahierarchyaccordingtotheirsize.Foreachcategory,theGreaterLondonAuthorityhasprovidedamaximumdistanceaLondonresidentshouldbefromthatcategoryofopenspace,forexampleonekilometrewalkingdistancefromapubliclyaccessibleSiteofBoroughorMetropolitanImportanceforNatureConservation.Areasoutsideofthesedistancesareclassifiedasdeficientinaccesstopublicopenspace.However,althoughanareamaybedeficientintermoftraveldistancetoapubliclyaccessibleopenspace,itmaynotbeintermsoftraveltimeusingtheTube.


Royal Parks 1. Brompton

Cemetery 2. Green Park 3. Greenwich Park 4. Hyde Park 5. Kensington

Gardens 6. Regents Park 7. Richmond Park 8. St James’s Park

London Wildlife Trust Nature Reserves 9. Camley Street

Natural Park 10. Gunnersbury

Triangle 11. The Chase

Other Green Areas 12. Hampstead Heath 13. Syon Park 14. Kew Gardens 15. Epping Forest 16. Croxley Common

Moor SSSI 17. Wimbledon

Common 18. Tooting Bec

Common 19. Highgate Wood 20. Trent Park

Royal parks, nature reserves and green areas in London

Carpenders Park

Hatch End

Watford High Street

Headstone Lane

Bushey

Watford Junction

Clapham Junction

Imperial Wharf

Finchley Road& Frognal

HampsteadHeath

GospelOak Upper Holloway

HarringayGreen Lines

South Tottenham

WalthamstowQueen’s Road

CrouchHill

Leyton MiddleRoad

Leytonstone High Road

WansteadPark

WoodgrangePark

Canonbury

Dalston Kingsland

Homerton HackneyWick

Hackney Central

ActonCentral

SouthActon

KensalRise

BrondesburyPark

KentishTown West

KilburnHigh Road

SouthHampstead

BrondesburyCamden

Road

CaledonianRoad &

Barnsbury

New Cross Gate

West Croydon

Crystal Palace Norwood Junction

Sydenham

Forest Hill

Anerley

Penge West

Honor Oak Park

Brockley

Wapping

New Cross

Surrey Quays

Rotherhithe

ShoreditchHigh Street

Dalston Junction

Haggerston

Hoxton

AmershamChorleywood

Mill Hill East

Rickmansworth

Perivale

Vauxhall

Hanger Lane

Edgware

Burnt Oak

Colindale

Hendon Central

Brent Cross

Golders Green

West Silvertown

Pontoon Dock

London City Airport

Woolwich Arsenal

King George V

Chalk Farm

Belsize Park

Chalfont &Latimer

Chesham

Moor Park

Northwood

NorthwoodHills

Pinner

North Harrow


Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

Gallions Reach

Beckton

Watford

Croxley

Fulham Broadway

LambethNorth

HeathrowTerminal 4

Harrow-on-the-Hill

BethnalGreen

Westferry

SevenSisters

Blackwall

NorthwickPark

PrestonRoad

RoyalVictoria

WembleyPark

Rayners LaneRuislipGardens

South Ruislip

Greenford

Northolt

South Harrow

Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Town

Alperton

Pimlico

Park Royal

North Ealing

Ealing Broadway

West Ruislip

North Wembley

West Brompton

Ealing Common

South Kenton

Kenton

Wembley Central

Kensal Green

Queen’s Park

Gunnersbury

Kew Gardens

Richmond

Stockwell

Bow Church

Stonebridge Park

Harlesden

Camden Town

Willesden Junction

Parsons Green

Putney Bridge

East Putney

Southfields

Wimbledon Park

Wimbledon

Island Gardens

Greenwich

Deptford Bridge

South Quay

Crossharbour

Mudchute

Heron Quays

West India Quay

Elverson Road

Oakwood

Cockfosters

Southgate

Arnos Grove

Bounds Green

Theydon Bois

Epping

Debden

Loughton

Buckhurst Hill

Leytonstone

Leyton

Wood Green

Turnpike Lane

Manor House

Stanmore

Canons Park

Queensbury

Kingsbury

High Barnet


Woodside Park

West Finchley

Finchley Central

Woodford

South Woodford

Snaresbrook

Hainault

Fairlop

Barkingside

Newbury Park

East Finchley

Highgate

Archway

Devons Road

Langdon Park

All Saints

Tufnell Park

Kentish Town

Neasden

Dollis Hill

Willesden Green

Swiss Cottage

Brixton

Kilburn

West Hampstead

Blackhorse Road

Acton Town

CanningTown

Finchley Road

Highbury &Islington

Canary Wharf

Stratford

FinsburyPark

Elephant & Castle

Stepney Green

Barking

East HamUpton Park

Plaistow

Poplar

West Ham

PuddingMill Lane

Kennington

Borough


DagenhamHeathway

Becontree

Upney

Heathrow Terminal 5

Northfields

Boston Manor

South Ealing

Osterley

Hounslow Central

Hounslow East

Clapham North

Oval

Clapham Common

Clapham South

Balham

Tooting Bec

Tooting Broadway

Colliers Wood

South Wimbledon

Arsenal

Holloway Road

Caledonian Road

Morden

HounslowWest

Hatton Cross


WestHarrow

TottenhamHale

WalthamstowCentral

WestActon

Limehouse EastIndia

ChiswickPark

RodingValley

GrangeHill

Chigwell

Redbridge

GantsHill

Wanstead

Ickenham

TurnhamGreen

Uxbridge

Hillingdon Ruislip

Mile End

Bow Road

Bromley-by-Bow

Upminster

Upminster Bridge

Hornchurch

Harrow &Wealdstone


RuislipManor

Eastcote

Shadwell

CanadaWater

Whitechapel

Lewisham

Kilburn Park

Regent’s Park

EdgwareRoad

GoodgeStreet


Goldhawk Road

Hammersmith

Bayswater

Warren Street

Aldgate

Euston

Farringdon


Kensington(Olympia)

MorningtonCrescent


Old Street

St. John’s Wood

Green Park

BakerStreet

NottingHill Gate

Victoria

AldgateEast

Blackfriars

Mansion House

Cannon Street

OxfordCircus

BondStreet

TowerHill

Westminster

TottenhamCourt Road

PiccadillyCircus

CharingCross

Holborn

Tower Gateway

Monument

Moorgate

Leicester Square

London Bridge

St. Paul’s

Hyde Park Corner

Knightsbridge

StamfordBrook

RavenscourtPark

WestKensington

NorthActon

HollandPark

Marylebone

Angel


SouthKensington

Earl’sCourt

SloaneSquare

Covent Garden

LiverpoolStreet

GreatPortland

Street

Bank

EastActon

ChanceryLane

LancasterGate

Warwick AvenueMaida Vale Paddington

BaronsCourt


Park Temple

Latimer Road

Ladbroke Grove

Royal OakWestbourne Park

Bermondsey

Wood Lane

Shepherd’sBush

WhiteCity


EustonSquareEdgware

Road

Waterloo

Southwark


24

4. L

U B

AP

Ach

ieve

men

ts

ThissectionhighlightsjustsomeofourachievementsonthewaytomeetingthebiodiversityobjectivespublishedinourfirstBAP in2007.

4.1 Surveys and dataLondonUndergroundregularlysurveysitsproperty–eitheracrossspecificareasofthenetworkorsite-specificallyinadvanceofplannedworks.AbiodiversitysurveyofallLondonUndergroundtracksideswaspublishedin2000.Thesurveyidentifiedalltracksidehabitats,withmoredetailedsurveysofplantandanimalspecieswerecarriedoutatspecificsites.Furthersurveysin2005–06havehelpedtounderstandthebiodiversityvalueofLUpropertyandcontributedtothedevelopmentoftheLUBAP launchedin2007.

InformationfromallsurveyshasbeensharedwithGiGL.AccesstoGiGLdatameansthatLUalsohasinformationabouthabitatsborderingitspropertyinallLondonBoroughs.Thisisessentialwhenplanningsiteaccesstoandfromprojects.

WithinLU,surveyinformationisavailabletoemployeesviathegeographicalinformationsystem(GIS).TheGISisanessentialplanningtoolthatenablesthehabitattype,quality(high,mediumandlow)andpresenceorpotentialpresenceofprotectedspeciesataparticulararea,tobeidentifiedinadvanceofwork.Thisinformation,andsupportingecologyguidance,hasbeenusedbyprojectstomanageaccesstoworksites,guidereinstatementworksandmanagementpracticesacrossthenetwork.

LUusesavarietyofothertoolstomanagebiodiversityissuesincludinglegalcompliance.AttheircoreistheLUEnvironmentStrategy2008–2013withobjectivesto:• conserve,andwherereasonablypracticaltoenhance,thebiodiversityvalueofLUproperty

• increaseawarenessamongststaffandthetravellingpublicofbiodiversityinLondon

TohelpfulfilitsfirstobjectiveLUdevelopedand publisheditsfirstBAP.Madepubliclyavailable,itoutlinedthebiodiversityresourceprovidedbythelines,stations,depotsandsidingsmanagedbyLUanditscontractors.Itidentifiedthepriorityspeciesandhabitats,importantinconservationterms,andexplainedtheactionsLU,anditscontractors,wouldtaketoprotect,conserveandenhancebiodiversitywithinthecontextofupgradingandrunningtherailwayuntiltheBAPwasreviewedthisyearin2010.The2010reviewalignstheLUBAPwiththecurrentconservationprincipleoflandscape-scaleconservation,aswellascontinuingtoconserveandprotectthespeciesandhabitatsindentifiedinthefirstBAPwherepossible.

LUworkedcloselywithLondon-basedandnationalconservationbodies,suchastheLondonBiodiversityPartnershipandNaturalEnglandtoproducethefirstBAP;andcalledontheirsupportforthe2010updatetoo.Indeed,NaturalEnglandwelcomedLU’scommitmenttoprotectingbiodiversitynotingthatitwasgoodnewsforwildlifeandforthepeopleofLondon.

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU BAP Achievements 25

4.2 Living roofsWhentheBAPwaspublishedin2007,LUhadjustonelivingroofattheNorthernlineServiceControlCentre.NowthreemorehavebeeninstalledontheBrixtonTrainCrewAccommodationbuilding,theStratfordTrainCrewAccommodationbuildingandone,withintegratedelectricity-generatingsolarpanels,hasbeeninstalledatLUheadofficebuildingat55Broadway.TfLinstalledthisroofinassociationwithBuglife–TheInvertebrateConservationTrust&Livingroofs.orgwithfundingthroughSITATrust’sEnrichingNatureProgramme.Buglifeiscarryingouta3yearresearchprojectmonitoringthelivingroofaspartofresearchtoseetowhatextentlivingroofshavehelpedsupportcertainspeciesofinvertebrates.

Sofar,theprojecthasshownthat,justwithinitsfirstyear,theroofisteamingwithinsectlife.Themostprolificandnoticeablebeingpollinatinginsects,beesandLepidoptera.InJanuary2010,nativebulbssuchascrocus,daffodilsandhyacinthswereplantedtohelpinsectswithearlypollen,successfullyprovidingafeedinggroundforinsectsasearlyasFebruary.Cornflower,oxeyedaisy,camomile,corncocklepoppiescarpetedtheroof.Redandwhitetailedbumblebees,aswellasearlyandbrowncarderbumblebeeswereallrecordedfeedingontheroofduringsummer2010.

Spiderssuchasmoneyspiders,jumpingspidersandcrabspiders,togetherwithsomebeetlessuchasladybirdsandgroundbeetlesalreadyoccupytheroofhabitatwithinthefirstyear.Beesstillmakeuseofthepollenprovidedbythewildflowerrichroofduringautumn.Thisisbecauseatgroundlevel,inparksforinstance,wildflowershavemostlydiedout,whilstlivingroofs,inmanycases,experienceasecondfloweringinlateAugust,earlyautumn.Thisyearhasbeenparticularlyharshongreenroofsbecauseofthefrostsandsnows inJanuary,droughtinAprilandsummertime.Theroofasdesignedandinstalledhasreallystooduptothechallengesofsuchweather.

LUwillcontinuetomaintainallofourlivingroofstomaximisetheirpotentialfornature.WewillalsoconsiderthepossibilityoflivingwallsandroofsinnewprojectsbyincorporatingthemintheProjectManagementFramework,theprocessesbywhichwemanageanddeliverallprojects.

4.3 Managing the biodiversity value of LU property

LandscapingandreplantingaftermajorworkshasmeantLUhavebeenabletomakeapositivecontributiontowardsbiodiversityalongthenetworkbyprovidingoptimumhabitatforfaunaandflora.Ecologists,eitherfromNaturalEnglandorspecialistcontractors,areconsultedwhenevercreatinglandscapingplansorobtaininglicenses,ensuringappropriateenhancementmeasuresareputinplacetoencouragelocallyimportantorprotectedspeciesandhabitats.

Inanextensive£7.5millionschemetostabiliseembankmentsandcuttingslopesonthesectionoftrackbetweenHillingdonandUxbridgestations,sharedbytheMetropolitanandPiccadillylines,anumberofsimplebuteffectivebiodiversityenhancementmeasureswereimplemented.

Stagbeetle‘loggeries’wereinstalledinanadjacentgrasslandmeadowwhichhadalreadybeencolonisedbystagbeetles.GreatcrestednewthibernaculawerealsocreatedinadjacentareastothetrackunderalicenceagreedwithNaturalEngland.

Acontinuouslineofmaturetreesweremaintainedthroughouttheworksatthebaseofembankmentslopes,andoncethestabilisationworkswerecompleted,nativewildflowerseedmixandnativeshrubswereusedtore-establishthevegetation,creatingawoodlandedgetypeeffect.Thishasprovidedanexcellenthabitatfor invertebratessuchasbutterflies.

TheestablishmentofanatureareabetweenKingsburyandWembleyPark,byourcontractorTubeLines,hasallowedthedevelopmentofavarietyofhabitats.Thesitehasbeenseededwith avarietyofnativewildflowerseedsandreplantedwithshrubsandtrees,toenable

Island Barn ReservoirAround6,800tonnesofclayexcavatedfromtheLUStepFreeAccessProjectatGreenParkstationhasbeensentbycontractorTubeLinestohelprestoreahavenforwildbirdsjustsouthoftheThamesatWestMoseleyinSurrey.Divertingtheclayfromlandfillhassavedover£¼millioninlandfill tax.

IslandBarnReservoircovers49hectares,itsenclosedartificialbankshavetheRiverEmberrunningtoitssouthandeastandtheRiverMoletoitswestandnorth.ThereservoirlieswithintheBoroughofElmbridgeandismanagedbyThamesWater.

Thesitehasbeenidentifiedofbeingofinternationalimportanceforwinteringwaterfowlandisknownforraregrebes,sea ducksanddiversinwinterandforwadersonpassageandinwinter. Highgate Bats

ThecoloniesofBrownLongEared,Natterer’sandDaubenton’sbatslivingindisusedtunnelsinHighgate,whereworkwiththeLondonBatGrouphasseenpopulationlevelsriseten-foldsince2002–03.

native wildlifetoflourish.Anumberofdifferenthabitatareashavebeeninstalled,includingsolitarybeeboxes,woodpeckerboxes,barnowlboxes,fieldmouseanddormousehabitats,andhedgehoghabitat.Areptilewateringarea,whichincludesaninnovativereptilebaskingarea,hasalsobeeninstalled.Logsfromthesitethathavebeenfelledhavebeenstackedon-sitetoprovide ahabitatforfungiandbeetles,avitalfoodsourceforbirds.Theembankmentcontinuestobemonitoredtoseewhatelsemovesintothe area.

4.4 Raising awarenessLUcarriesover1billionpassengerseachyearand,combinedwitharound19,000membersofstaff,thismeansthatLUcanplayacentralroleinraisingawarenessofbiodiversityandtheecosystemservicesitprovidesLondonand

26LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU BAP Achievements

27LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU BAP Achievements

Londoners.Tomeetitssecondobjective,LUusesinternalandexternalpublications,suchasstaffmagazinesandtheMetronewspaper,andawarenessraisingcampaignsandcompetitions,notonlytopromoteinterestintheenvironmentbutalsotopromotetheaccesstheTubeprovidesforvisitinggreenspacesinLondon.

LUhasestablishedastrongworkingrelationshipwiththeRoyalSocietyfortheProtectionofBirdstoraiseawarenessinLondon.In2009,LUandRSPBworkedtogethertorunthesuccessful“MindtheBird”photographcompetition.The2010LU-RSPB‘LifeBetweentheLines’photographandprojectscompetition

includescategoriesforindividualemployeesandthepublicbuthasalsobeenextendedforcommunitygroups.Thesecost-effectivecompetitionsusenewmediatoraiseawarenessofLondon’srichwildlife,andpromoteLUasameanstoexploreanddiscovertheCapital’snaturalwonders.ItalsoprovidesLUwithanopportunitytoshowcasethebiodiversitybenefitsofitsapproachtolandmanagement.

LondonUndergroundalsoprovidessignificantaccesstogreenspacesaroundLondon.ThisaccessispromotedeachyearthroughtheOystercatcherBirdRace,organisedbyNaturalEnglandandsupportedbyTfL.HereteamsfromdifferentorganisationsvisitdifferentwildlifesitesandgreenspaceswithinLondon,usingonlypublictransport,tospotasmanybirdspeciesaspossible

WithinLU,theUndergroundinBloomcompetitionbecomesmoreandmoresuccessfuleveryyear.Over50locationsnowtakepartwithrepresentativesfromalllines.Someunexpectedsurprisescanturnupinstationgardens,suchasstagbeetlesandslowwormsandentrantsareencouragedtolookforopportunitiestoencouragewildlifeandalsotomonitorandrecordwildlifesightingsintheirgardens.Thecompetitionactivelyencouragesstafftoconsiderentrieswhichpromotewildlifeandhabitatsandreduceotherenvironmentalimpacts,suchaswateruse.London’sCapitalGrowthscheme,whichaimstoaddnewgrowingspacesinLondonby2012increasingtheamountoflocallygrownfruitandvegetablesinthecity,hasinspiredtheadditionofanewFruitandVegetablescategoryinthecompetitiontoo.

28

5. L

U B

AP

Act

ions

5.1 OutlineTheUndergroundprovidesexcellenthabitatresourcesoverground,notonlyforthewealthoffloraandfaunaabletoflourish,butalsoforLondoners.LUhasanimportantjobtoeducateitsemployeesandthepublicinafunandinterestingway,aswelltocontinuallyimproveitslandmanagementpracticessothatthebiodiversityofitsnetworkincreasesdespitechallengessuchasclimatechange.Enhancingbiodiversityisavitalpartofbeingaworld-classTubeforaworld-classcity.

TheBAPwillhelpmanagebiodiversityasLUcontinuetoinvestinthenetwork.ItwillensureLUmeetstheobjectivesofTfL’senvironmentStrategyobjectivetomaintainandwherepossibleenhancethequalityofLondon’snaturalenvironment,theLUEnvironmentalStrategyandtheMayor’sBiodiversityStrategy,andassistinthedeliveryofnationalBAPtargets.Thenewstrategyactionsalsosupporttheshiftinecologyandhabitatmanagementmethodstolandscape-scaleconservationschemessuchasthosedevelopedbyNaturalEnglandanditspartnersaswellastheAllLondonGreenGrid.

ThefollowingsectionsetsoutactionplansforhabitatsandprotectedspeciesonLU’snetwork,usingspecificmeasurableactionswewillundertake,withourpartners,tomanagebiodiversityonourproperty.ThenewBAPstrategyactionswillrunto2016,whenanyresurveyingofourpropertyneededtocomplywiththeMayor’sBiodiversityStrategywillbegin.

5.2 Protected speciesWidevarietiesofmammals,reptiles,amphibiansandinvertebratespecieshavebeenrecordedonLondonUnderground’sproperty.Anumberhavebeenidentifiedasprotectedspeciesforwhichindividualorgroupactionplanshavebeendeveloped.Thesespeciesarebats,badgers,reptiles,stagbeetlesandwatervoles.Thecriteriaforselectionincluded:• SpecieshasbeenrecordedorislikelytobepresentontheLUnetwork;

• SpeciesisincludedintheLondonBiodiversityActionPlan;and/or

• Speciesreceiveslegalprotectionunderthenationallegislativeframework

We will continue to work with our contractors and biodiversity partners to:

1. Conserve protected species and enhance protected species habitats on London Underground property by:

• MaintainingrecordsofprotectedspeciesfoundonLUproperty

• ProvidinginformationonthepresenceofprotectedspeciesonLUnetworktoLBPand GiGL

• ProtectingandenhancingprotectedspeciesandtheirhabitatonLondonUndergroundpropertywherepractical

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 LU BAP Actions 29

2. Increase awareness amongst our staff, customers and public of the presence and value of protected species found in London by:

• IncludingspecificelementsinLondonUnderground’sbiodiversitycommunicationplanonprotectedspeciesknowntobepresentonthe network

• ProvidingLUstaffwithinformationonprotectedspeciesandtheirhabitatsknownto bepresentonnetwork

5.3 Habitat conservation and enhancementChangingmanagementstyletosupportlandscape-scaleconservationplannedforareassuchastheThamesandTributariesareasofGreaterLondonandRSPBFuturescapeswillextendandconservepriorityhabitatsinLondon;andhelpmaintaintheecosystemservicestheyprovideLondoners.WeplantoidentifynewopportunitiesinourinvestmentprojectsandimproveourmaintenanceregimestodeliverbiodiversitybenefitsinacosteffectivemannerforLU.

1. To conserve, enhance and increase the quantity of priority BAP habitat on London Underground property

New opportunities

UsingGiGLhabitatsuitabilitymaps,identifyareasofLUpropertywithpotentialforenhancement

Lead:LUSupport:GiGL

2011

ForareasofLUpropertyidentifiedashavingpotentialforhabitatenhancement,confirmandrecordsuitability(e.g.cost,safety)forhabitat enhancement

Lead:LU 2011to2012

UseGiGLtomonitorareaofpriorityBAPhabitatlandaddedtoLUproperty

Lead:GiGLSupport:LU

2012to2017

Improving project planning

DevelopandcommunicatereinstatementplansforCapitalProgrammeworksbasedonhabitatsuitabilitymaps

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorateSupport:LUStrategyandCommercialDirectorateandLUCapitalProgrammesDirectorate

2012to2013

Improving maintenance regime

Developandcommunicatehabitatmanagementplansfordaytodaymaintenancebasedonhabitatsuitability maps

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorateSupport:MaintenanceDirectorate

2013to2014


2. To maintain and develop the wildlife potential on current and new LU buildings

Ensurethepotentialforlivingwallsandroofsareconsideredaspartofthe ProjectManagementFramework

Lead:LUCapitalProgrammeDirectorateSupport:LUStrategyandCommercialDirectorateandLU HSQE

2011to2012

Maintainthegreenroofscurrentlyon LUproperty

Lead:TfLGroupPropertyandFacilitiesandTubeLinesLimited

ongoing

3. Review LU’s Biodiversity Action Plan in 2017

ToproducearevisedBiodiversityActionPlanforLondonUnderground

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorate

2017

We will continue to:• workwithourcontractorsandbiodiversitypartnerstoprovideourstaff,customersandpublicwithinformationonBAPhabitatonLUpropertyandacrossLondonasawhole

5.4 Invasive species managementUnfortunately,aswellashavingacornucopiaofprotectedspecies,severalnon-nativeandinvasivespeciesarealsopresentacrossournetwork,whichoutcompetenativespeciesanddamageourinfrastructure.PlantssuchasJapaneseKnotweedandGiantHogweed,andpestssuchasOakProcessionaryMothsandtheirlarvae,arelegallycontrolledandrequirecarefulmanagementtoprotectnativefloraandfaunaandconservetheintegrityandbiodiversityvalueofourproperty.

1. To reduce Japanese Knotweed on LU property

Implement standardised methodology for invasive species management across all lines under LU control

IdentifyanddocumentbestpracticemanagementandapplytoalllinesunderLUcontrol

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorateSupport:LUMaintenanceDirectorate

2010to2012

MonitoreffectivenessthroughInvasiveWeedTracker

Lead:LUMaintenanceDirectorateSupport:LUHSQEDirectorate

2011to2012andongoing

2. Eradicate Giant Hogweed on LU property

ConfirmareasofGiantHogweedandimplementeradicationplan


2010to2011


MonitoreffectivenessthroughInvasive WeedTracker



3. Work with the Forestry Commission to control Oak Processionary Moths on LU property

EnsurebestpracticecontrolsaredevelopedandimplementedfortreatmentofOakProcessionaryMoths onLUProperty



Co-ordinatetreatmentwithotherStakeholdersaffectedbyOakProcessionaryMothstoimproveeffectivenessoftreatment


ongoingduringtreatmentseason

ActivelytakepartinOakProcessionary MothStakeholdergroup tosharebestpractice



KeepStakeholdergroupandForestry Commissionupdatedwithtreatmentplan



5.5 Ecology surveys and data collection strategyTheLondonUndergroundnetworkstretchesfromtheChilternHillsinBuckinghamshireintheWesttoEppingForestinEssexintheEast.Itcomprisesaround400kmoftrackrepresentingabout4000hectaresoflandorapproximatelyatenthofthegreenspaceinthecapital.

ItisessentialthatwemaintainuptodateecologyinformationofourpropertyportfoliosothatwecancontinuetoeffectivelybalanceenhancingthebiodiversityvalueofourpropertywhilstrunningasafeandreliabletrainserviceforLondon.

1. Resurvey LU’s above ground property as per Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy, and record information for use by employees and contractors

DevelopstrategyforimplementingLU’s nextecologysurveysasperMayor’sStrategy,inacosteffectiveway,for2015–2016

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorate

2016

Implementstrategy Lead:LUHSQEDirectorateSupport:LUMaintenanceandCapitalProgrammeDirectorates

2016


2. To maintain a good knowledge of the biodiversity value of LU property

Improvecurrentsystemsusedtorecordthepresenceofplantandanimal speciesonLUpropertybydevelopingandmaintainingaprocesswhichwillallowstafftoreportpresenceofplantoranimalspeciesobservedonLUproperty

Lead:LUHSQEDirectorateSupport:LUMaintenanceDirectorateand

2011

We will continue to:• DevelopandmaintainaprocesstorecordinformationprovidedtoLUbythirdparties

• InputLUbiodiversitydataintoGiGLdatabase

5.6 AwarenessSince2007,wehaveusedcommunicationtools,suchasstaffmagazines,competitionsandourintranetsitetoraiseawarenessofbiodiversityissueswithouremployees.WehavealsoworkedinpartnershipwithnationalconservationbodiestoengagewithLondonerstoraiseawarenessofbiodiversityvalueandaccesstogreenspaces.

We will continue to:• IncreaseunderstandingamongstourstaffoftheimportanceofbiodiversityconservationinLondon

• Workinpartnershipwithconservationbodiestoraisetheprofileofbiodiversityconservationanditsvalue,aswellashowtoaccessgreenspacesaroundGreaterLondon

33LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010

DEFRA (1994) Biodiversity. The UK Action Plan HMSO

London Biodiversity Partnership (2005) Action for biodiversity. Supporting the London Biodiversity Action Plan

London Underground (2000) Biodiversity survey report

Guest, P, Jones, K E and Tovey, J. (2002). Bats in Greater London: unique evidence of a decline over 15 years. British Wildlife, 14 (1).

Mayor of London (2002) Connecting with London’s nature; The Mayor’s Biodiversity Strategy Greater London Authority

Ecology Survey: Phase One SSL and BCV (2005)

Ecology Survey: Phase Two SSL and BCV (2006)

Tube Lines (2006) Phase One (plus) Survey of Tube Lines Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly, depots and sidings

London Wildlife Trust – A Living Landscape

London Wildlife Trust – London’s Natural Values

London Wildlife Trust – Strategic Plan 2010–2015

Natural England – Identification and Development of Integrated Biodiversity Delivery Areas (IBDAs) April 2010

Defra – Making Space for Wildlife September 2010

Defra – Adapting to Climate Change March 2010

Appendix 1: Reference and useful material

34LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010

Acid grassland Aciddescribestheunderlyingusuallyrockysoilcomposition.Itisrelativelyspeciespoorandwouldturnintoheathifnotmanaged

All London Green Grid

Amulti-functionalnetworkofgreeninfrastructureandopenspacestohelpshapeandsupportsustainablecommunities,andtackleclimatechange,e.g.byreducingfloodriskandenhancingsurfacewatermanagement,inLondon.Itwillprovideareasforrecreationaluse,promotinghealthyliving,aswellasareasforwildlifeconservation.

Ancient woodland Long-establishedwoodlandthathasoftendevelopedarichplantandanimallife.Ancientwoodlandisdefinedasthatknowntohaveexistedataspecificlocationsincebefore1600 AD.

Badger sett Anystructureorplacewhichdisplayssignsindicatingcurrentusebyabadger(theseincludesheds,culverts,concretepipes,derelictbuildings,etc.).

Bat roost Anystructureorplacewhichisusedbybatsforshelterorprotection.

Biodiversity Thediversity,orvariety,ofplants,animalsandotherlivingthingsinaparticularareaorregion.Itencompasseshabitatdiversity,speciesdiversityandgeneticdiversity.Biodiversityisofvalueinitsownrightandhassocialandeconomicvalueforhumansociety.

Biodiversity Acton Plan (BAP)

Aframeworkforachievingtheconservationofbiodiversitybasedonthetargetingofresourcestowardspriorityhabitatsandspecies.BAPscanbepreparedatarangeoflevels:national(e.g.theUKBAP),forregionalareas(e.g.LondonBAP),forlocalauthorities(e.g.IslingtonBAP)aswellasforbusinesses(e.g.LondonUndergroundBAP).

Bird nest Anystructureorplacenestwherebirdslaytheireggsandhatchtheiryoung.

Broadleaf woodland Broadleafwoodlandiscomposedoftreeswithleaveswhicharenotneedle-like.Theleavesofdifferentbroadleaftreescomeinallvarietiesofshapesandsizes,buttendtobeflat;broadshapesquiteunliketheneedlesofconifers.MostbroadleaftreesinBritainaredeciduous.Thismeansthattheylosealltheirleavesintheautumn,remainingbarethroughthecoldwintermonthsuntilthespring,whentheygrownew foliage.

Brownfield OrOpenMosaicHabitatonPreviouslyDevelopedLand,isanylandorpremiseswhichhaspreviouslybeenusedordevelopedandisnotcurrentlyinfulluse,althoughitmaybepartiallyoccupiedorutilised.Thelandmayalsobevacant,derelictorcontaminated.Thisexcludesparks,recreationgrounds,allotmentsandlandwheretheremainsofprevioususehaveblendedintothelandscape,orhavebeenovertakenbynatureconservationvalueoramenityuseandcannotberegardedasrequiring redevelopment.

Appendix 2: Glossary

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010 Appendix 2: Glossary 35

Calcareous grassland Calcareousgrasslandisfoundonachalkorlimestonesubstrate.Itattractslime-lovingplantssuchasuprightbrome,bluemoor-grassandcommonrockrosethatdonotgrowinother soils.

Channelisation Alteringthenaturalprofileorcourseofawatercourse,makingawatercoursemore‘channel’like,throughactivitiessuchasre-profilingorhardengineeringofthebanks.

Coniferous woodland Coniferouswoodland,asitsnamesuggests,ismadeuppredominantlyofconifers.Conifertreesoftenhavingneedle-likeleaves,suchasthefamiliarChristmastree.Theyareusuallyevergreen,Inotherwords,ratherthansheddingtheirneedlesallatonetimeintheautumn,theyloseaproportionthroughouttheyear,withthesebeingconstantlyreplaced.Asaresult,they alwayshavefoliageonthem.

Conservation Protection,managementandpromotionforthebenefitofwildspeciesandhabitats,aswellasthehumancommunitiesthatuseandenjoy them.

Conservation (Natural Habitats & C.) Regulations 1994

TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&C.)Regulations1994transposetheHabitatsDirectiveintodomesticlegislation.TheyapplytoEngland,WalesandScotlandandtheirterritorialseasupto12nauticalmilesfrom baseline.

Coppicing ThetraditionalformofmanagementofmuchbroadleavedwoodlandintheUK.Itinvolvescuttingdowntreesandshrubsneargroundlevel,allowingthetreetoformmulti-stemmedre-growth,andre-cuttingatintervalsofuptooneormoredecadestoprovideaharvestoflong poles.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW)

TheCountrysideandRightsofWayAct2000(alsoknownasCroW)amendedtheWildlifeandCountrysideActof1981.Itcreatedanewstatutoryrightofaccesstoopencountryandregisteredcommonland,modernisedtherights ofwaysystem,gavegreaterprotectiontoSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs),providedbettermanagementarrangementsforAreasofOutstandingNaturalBeauty(AONBs),andstrengthenedwildlifeenforcement legislation.

Cuttings Whererailtrackshavebeendugintotheearthor stone.

Depots AnareawheretrainsarestabledandmaintainedandthereisaDutyManager.

Ecologist Abiologistwhostudiestherelationbetweenorganismsandtheirenvironment.

Ecosystem Acommunityoforganismsandtheirphysicalenvironmentinteractingasanecologicalunit.

Ecosystem services ServicesprovidedbytheEarth’secosystemstohumanity,e.g.floodprotection,improvingqualityoflifeetc.

Embankment Longartificialmoundofearthorstoneatthesideofrailwaylines.

Fauna Alltheanimallifeinaparticularregion.

Flora Alltheplantlifeinaparticularregion.

GLA GreaterLondonAuthority


GiGL GreenspaceInformationforGreaterLondonisapartnershipofapprox50organisationsincludingLondonBatGroup,LondonNaturalHistorySociety,theLondonBoroughsetc.thatcontributetheirownecologydata.ThisinturnmakesalltheirdataavailabletoGiGLsubscribers,suchasTfL,tousewiththeirown surveyinformation.

Greater London Thegeographicalareaencompassedbythe32 LondonboroughsandtheCityofLondon.

Green corridors Greencorridorsarerelativelycontinuousareasofopenspaceleadingthroughthebuiltenvironment,whichmaylinksitestoeachotherandtotheGreenBeltorMetropolitanOpenLand.Theyoftenconsistofrailwayembankmentsandcuttings,roadsideverges,canals,parksandplayingfieldsandrivers.Theymayallowanimalsandplantstobefoundfurtherintothebuilt-upareathanwouldotherwisebethecaseandprovideanextensiontothehabitatsofthesitestheyjoin.

Habitat Thenaturalhomeofanyplant,andwhereanimalsfeed,breedandrest.Oftenusedinthewidersense,referringtomajorassemblagesofplantsandanimalsfoundtogethersuchaswoodlandsorgrasslands.

Habitat Acton Plan (HAP)

ActionPlanprovidingdetaileddescriptionsforaspecifictypeofhabitatandsettingoutdetailedactionsthatcanbetakenbyanumberofagenciesinordertosafeguardandenhancea habitat.

Habitat Audit HabitatAuditshavebeenproducedfor11habitattypesfoundinLondon.Theseauditsdefinethehabitat,describetheresourceinLondonandidentifythemajorthreatsandopportunitiesforconservation–datasourcesarelistedandtherationaleandlimitationsofapproachoutlined.

Habitat Suitability Maps

HabitatSuitabilityMapsidentifyareaswherepriorityLondonBAPhabitats,suchasacidgrasslandandheath,mayberestoredorincreasedinsizebecausetheecologicalconditionsaresuitable.

Hibernation Thetorpidorrestingstateinwhichsomeanimalspassthewinter;cessationfromorslowingofactivityduringthewinter;especiallyslowingofmetabolisminsomeanimals.

Hibernacula Theshelterofahibernatinganimal.

HSQE Health,Safety,QualityandEnvironment

Integrated Biodiversity Development Areas

Largeareasoflandidentifiedasapriorityforbiodiversityenhancementduetotheirexistingbiodiversityinterestand/orwheresignificantBAPdeliveryoccurs

Invertebrate Ananimal,suchasaninsectormolluscthatlacksabackboneorspinalcolumn.

LBP LondonBiodiversityPartnership

LU LondonUnderground

Off Track Areafromboundarytotwometresofrails


Neutral grassland NeutralgrasslandgrowsonsoilswithaneutralpH,andcanbeun-orsemi-managed,moist,orwaterlogged.Theycansupportarangeofgrasses,herbs,andwildflowers.

Permanent Way Areawithin2metresofanyrail.

Pollarding Pollardingisawoodlandmanagementmethodofencouraginglateralbranchesbycuttingoffatreestemorminorbranchestwoorthreemetresabovegroundlevel.Thetreeisthenallowedtore-growaftertheinitialcutting.

Project Management Framework

ProcessesLUusestoimplementandmanage projects.

Secondary woodland Woodlandthathasdevelopedonapreviouslynon-woodedsite.

Sidings Areawheretrainsarestabledorreversed.

Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SINC)

Anon-statutorysitedesignatedatlocalauthoritylevelforitsnatureconservation interest.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

AnareaoflandnotifiedundertheWildlife&CountrysideAct1981asbeingofspecialnationalnatureconversationinterest.SitesarenotifiedbyNaturalEnglandinEngland.

Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Sitesdesignatedunderthe‘TheConservation(NaturalHabitats,&C.)Regulations,1994inconformancewiththerequirementsoftheECHabitatsDirectiveforthepurposeofconservinghabitatsandspeciesofEuropean importance.

Species Acton Plan (SAP)

ActionPlanprovidingdetaileddescriptionsofaspeciesandsettingoutdetailedactionsthatcanbetakenbyanumberofagenciesinordertosafeguardandenhanceaspecies.

Species-poor grassland

Grasslandswithrelativelylowplantspeciesdiversity,thatdonotincludevariedspecies.

Species-rich grassland

Grasslandswithrelativelyhighplantspeciesdiversity,roughlywithover30differentspecies present.

Species diversity Thevarietyandrelativenumberofspeciesinan area

TfL TransportforLondon

Tree Preservation Order (TPO)

AnordermadeundertheTownandCountryPlanningAct(1990),topreservetreesofhighamenityvalueandtopreventfellingortreesurgerywithoutconsentfromtheLocalPlanningAuthority.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

TheWildlifeandCountrysideAct1981istheprinciplemechanismforthelegislativeprotectionofwildlifeinGreatBritain.PartIgivesprotectiontolistedfloraandfauna;PartIIdealswiththeprotectionofSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSI)andPartIIIdealswithPublicRightsofWay.

LU Biodiversity Action Plan 2010

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CopyrightLondonUndergroundLimited2010

AllRightsReserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyform(includingphotocopyingorrecording)withouttheexpresspriorwrittenpermissionofLondonUndergroundLimited.

NothinginthisreportshallcreateanylegalrelationsbetweenLondonUndergroundandanyotherpartynorshallbedeemedtointerpret,amend,waiveorotherwiseaffectanyprovisionofanycontractoragreementidentifiedherein.ThereportisissuedwithoutprejudicetotheexercisebyTransportforLondonorLondonUndergroundoftheirrightsunderanycontractoragreementidentifiedherein.

Documents

LU Biodiversity Action Plan - Transport for London · Introduction 4 2.1 What is biodiversity? 4 2.2 Summary of policy drivers and legislation 4 2.3 Biodiversity in 2010 and Landscape