The project will deliver 8.32 hectares of long-term woodland habitat enhancement – equivalent to 11 football pitches – supporting the programme’s commitment to delivering 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG).
TRU’s target of 10% BNG is a core part of Our Guiding Compass – the TRU sustainability strategy – with the aim of leaving the natural environment along the route in a measurably better state than before construction began. The programme’s approach to delivering this will also set a new standard for future Network Rail projects nationwide.
Located only 500m from the Transpennine route and approximately 3km east of Cross Gates, a station that will benefit from TRU’s wider rail improvement works across the region, the woodland will benefit from a 30-year habitat creation & management programme funded entirely by TRU; this will improve species richness, diversity and abundance through enrichment planting and tree veteranisation.
Beyond wildlife benefits, healthy woodland helps capture and store carbon, reduces flood risk, and filters air and water pollutants naturally. Additionally, the woodland will act as a community asset – it is accessible through a series of public footpaths, providing the community with improved access to nature, educational and associated mental health benefits.
To mark the success, TRU met with Councillor Katie Dye from Leeds City Council at the site to see firsthand the work already underway and receive a detailed briefing on what’s to come.
Simon Hughes, TRU East Environment & Sustainability Lead, said:
“This is a really exciting milestone for us in our journey to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain across our route. This significant purchase of biodiversity units from Leeds City Council, is the tenth largest biodiversity purchase to date in England. It will unlock new opportunities to enhance wildlife in the area and give local people improved access to nature.
“We were pleased to welcome our colleagues at Leeds City Council to see the progress we’re making and are looking forward to seeing how this woodland evolves. Work began in May 2025 and will continue until at least 2055.
“This is the first delivery of biodiversity units across the TRU programme, which will pave the way for future biodiversity agreements, to take us closer to achieving 10% BNG as we continue to deliver against Our Guiding Compass.”
Councillor Katie Dye, Chair of Leeds City Council’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee, said:
“We are very pleased to support Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) with this project to improve woodland areas and biodiversity at these two sites in Leeds.
“This project will support and sustain these areas for decades, providing wildlife benefits as well as helping to reduce flood risk, support carbon capture and limiting the impacts of climate change, We look forward to following this project as it develops.”
More information on TRU’s sustainability strategy can be found at https://thetrupgrade.co.uk/sustainability/.
