From 24th December 2024, Ground Control worked under a 48-hour blockade, clearing vegetation along Network Rail's Kings Heath in Saltley, Birmingham, to ensure the railway lines remain safe and services remain operational.

Alongside the works, our teams donated surplus food from site to a local Homeless charity, and have a future aim to return to the site to plant 150 trees and 1000m2 of wildflower seed.

Works achieved within the 48-hour blockade included: 

• Removal of 65 fully mature third-party trees
• 850 yards on both sides of the track cleared to the boundary
• 260 tonnes of woodchip removed
• 10 tonnes of woodchip retained on site for allotment use
• Over 100 tonnes of stem retained for pathway edging.

Equipment and machinery used included: 

• Over 800m of Heras fencing
• 400m of trackway
• more than 100 operatives over two sites
• two RRVs (Rail and Road On-Track excavator vehicles)
• Two off-track mech processing areas
• One 40m MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform)
• One 20m MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform).

In preparation for the project, Ground Control worked with the following partners and colleagues on a mitigation plan to protect the environment and minimise disruption within the park

• Network Rail
• Birmingham Council Tree Officer
• Highbury Park Manager
• Friends of the Park Group
• GC Ecologists
• GC RRV (rail and road on-track plant operations) team
• GC Mech (mechanical arboriculture) team.