Campaigning Success As New Trees Planted Along Push and Pull Railway Line in Hornchurch. 

By Ruth Kettle-Frisby – Guest Writer and Community Activist

Ruth is passionate about fostering positive change within the local community and regularly contributes insights and stories to The Havering Daily.

Local environmental activists in Hornchurch have come together to build a hopeful resolution with Network Rail and their contractors, Homegrown Timber, for 40 carefully and collaboratively planned new trees. 

As well as maintenance and longevity, our new trees have been selected according to growth patterns to fine seasonal detail to maximise biodiversity and beautify the rich green banks of our little ‘push and pull’ Liberty Line that runs from Romford to Upminster and back via Emerson Park Station.

While later than originally intended, January frosts signalled the prime dormant planting season. Across the banks on both sides of the line, we hope to see striking silver birches for the winter; springtime blossoming hawthorns; dogwoods, hornbeams and hazels; with rowans set to burst with autumnal berries and field maples bearing fiery leaves.

Having been vocal in opposition to tree-felling along this local overground line, prominent campaigner for Havering Friends of the Earth and founding member of Havering Climate Coalition, Rosina Purnel – who took this issue all the way to parliament with Ruth Wollacott – alongside Jen Taylor, Gina Must and Ruth Kettle-Frisby, have all worked hard to nurture a relationship with Network Rail and foster public transparency and sustained open dialogue.

It is testimony to this positive relationship that “lessons have been learned” including increased line side neighbour letters for greater public transparency beyond the bounds of our borough.

In Hornchurch, the fruits of this positive outcome will benefit local wildlife, residents and children in Towers Infant and Junior School, for whom Homegrown Timber have generously donated two magnificent young oak trees.

Kay Ige and Jennifer O’Leary from Network Rail with Tim Brown and Karl Rolls from Homegrown Timber met with Havering Friends of the Earth members, Rosina Purnell, Joy Mckenna and Isabel Darling, as well as Ruth Wollacott, Ruth Kettle-Frisby and local councillors John Wood, Paul Middleton, Bryan Vincent and prospective councillor John Cain as Ben Wood and team got to work and the first spades entered the ground.

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