Network Rail - Robin Way, Goldcrest Road

Residents near the cutting have received letters from Network Rail explaining that they're removing vegetation because:

Vegetation can create a host of safety problems. It is well documented that during the autumn months thousands of tonnes of leaves fall onto the railway line. Passing trains compress these leaves to form a slippery black substance on the rails which can acuse the train wheels to slip in a similar way to black ice on the roads.

Furthermore the build up of leaf material on the rails interferes with the signalling system and can block drains and culverts leading to flooding.

Additionally there is a risk of dead leaves falling across the tracks and overgrown vegetation obscuring the driver's view of signals, level crossings or those working on the track.

The work is going on at the moment.