Sunday 24 November 2024
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Railway Walk restored one year after Storm Ciarán's devastation

Railway Walk restored one year after Storm Ciarán's devastation

Sunday 24 November 2024

Railway Walk restored one year after Storm Ciarán's devastation

Sunday 24 November 2024


Repairs to the Railway Walk have been completed one year after Storm Ciarán devastated the popular tree-lined path.

The storm, which struck in November last year, brought hurricane-strength winds that uprooted thousands of trees and devastated parks, reservoirs, and green spaces across the island.

The scale of damage last year was believed to exceed that of the 1987 storm, which felled an estimated 20,000 trees.

The Railway Walk, a popular path for walkers, runners and cyclists, was among the hardest-hit areas.

Fallen trees required specialist equipment to clear them, and the pathway itself was left heavily damaged which meant that contractors were hired to completely resurface the path earlier this year.

The Government announced the completion of "significant repairs and enhancements" to the Railway Walk this week.

The path's accessibility has been improved by replacing old bollards with new timber posts that allow pushchairs and adapted bicycles to pass easily.

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Pictured: Heritage timber bollards, designed to complement the natural surroundings, have replaced the old features.

Storm Ciarán also impacted areas such as the Val de la Mare reservoir and Coronation Park.

At Val de la Mare, the Australasian Collection trees planted in 1975 were completely destroyed.

Coronation Park lost half of its trees, including many dating back to the original plantings in 1935 and replacements after the Great Storm of 1987.

A collaborative restoration effort led by environmental charity Jersey Trees for Life has also been important in the recovery process.

Hundreds of volunteers, including Brownies, Scouts, Rotary Club members, and private companies have helped restore local habitats by clearing fallen wood and using it to create 13 "deadwood hedges" across Jersey's woodlands to create new habitats and support biodiversity.

Jersey Trees for Life CEO Alex Morel said that these hedges have provided much-needed nutrient-rich habitat for fungi.

Looking ahead, Jersey Trees for Life has plans to start planting 30,000 trees in December, including creating a native woodland near the Railway Walk.

"We couldn't do it without our volunteers," Mrs Morel said.

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