Scenario 9: Small site with mature trees growing next to the railway
There are some 7 million properties, businesses and land holdings that border the railway in Wales, Scotland and England. Aerial survey data suggest that there is an average of one tree (taller than 3 m) per property. The property in scenario 9 is the headquarters of a local scout group with a 30 m-long boundary adjacent to a busy commuter railway line, upon which passenger and freight trains travel at up to 160 km per hour. The boundary fence, at its closest point, is approximately 9 m from the nearest rail.
0.15 ha 
Hedgerow that also contains five individual treesGeneral information
The boundary comprises a 1.8 m-high chain-link fence with concrete posts, which is owned and maintained by the Railway Authority. Adjacent to the fence on the scout group landholding is a ‘wild and woolly’ hedge of mixed shrub species including hawthorn, hazel and elder. At irregular intervals along the boundary are five trees, including a semi-mature Lombardy poplar that is 15 m tall with a large proportion of the tree canopy growing within the railway property.
Ownership/control of management
Responsibility: The land was bequeathed to be used by the Scouts and so, as the owner of the land, the Scout Group committee have responsibility and a duty of care. The Railway Authority have responsibility for the safety of their land.
Arboricultural competence: The owners may have access to parents of members with specific arboricultural competence, but this would only be on an ad hoc basis and so the owners would be regarded as lay people.
Access
The Scout Group land is only accessible by those people authorised to access the headquarters, with the entrances protected by locked gates when no activities are taking place. The majority of activities take place on weekday evenings for up to three hours when about 30 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, plus leaders, can be present. There are occasional private events when the headquarters are hired out. The open space to the rear of the headquarters is regularly used for various activities and in all weathers.
Benefits of trees
In addition to the chain-link fence, the trees and the hedgerow provide a significant boundary and help to create an air of seclusion that is useful in outdoor scouting activities. Nature and the outdoors are a fundamental part of many aspects of scouting and the benefit of access to this small but invaluable resource is recognised by this group, especially when compared with neighbouring groups and those in more urban areas.
The various species within the hedge provide an easily accessible source of material, not only for the nature-based activities such as identification, insect hotels and nature art, but perhaps more importantly for the children as a source of fuel for their campfires.
Strategy
Management
Risk assessments, required as part of scouting activities, will look at the potential risk posed by the trees depending on the activities that are taking place. The laypeople involved in scouting would be able to notice dead limbs, significant decay or other aspects of concern should activities be carried out beneath the trees (note that this is similar to the type of check that would be conducted if the scouts were carrying out activities or camping in the vicinity of any trees). These risk assessments will be reviewed during activities should, for example, the weather conditions deteriorate.
The physical management of the trees and other vegetation is undertaken on an ad hoc basis by working parties of non-specialists and, other than when the risk assessments are being reviewed, the trees are not formally checked by the Scout Group.
The railway boundary fence is inspected annually by the Railway Authority and the trees and vegetation on railway property are subjected to a check once every three years. The trees on the Scout Group land are visible from the railway and railway personnel would be expected to report any concerns with the tall trees. In this instance information would be presented to the Scout Group so that they can develop and implement their tree safety plan
Competence
There is no formal arboricultural knowledge within the Scout Group. However, those involved in running the scouting events are familiar with the need for informal monitoring of the trees, as part of the Scout Group’s duty of care.
Records
While there is no formal record-keeping of specific tree inspections by the Scout Group, they have notes of their tree safety plan, which was developed together with the Railway Authority. They also keep invoices of completed tree work. The Railway Authority maintains records of their tree inspections.
Evaluation
The current position and condition of the trees belonging to the Scout Group pose little current threat to the users of the scout facility or the railway. Nevertheless, the Scout Group recognises that trees could present a risk to the safe operation of the railway and that managing trees next to railway lines can also pose challenges. To safeguard the future of the trees, a combined approach to management is required and, through consultation with the Railway Authority, they can plan and implement any required arboricultural activities. The Railway Authority is able to advise on the communication requirements for work and what should be included within the Scout Group’s tree safety plan.
The Scout Group, in preparing their tree safety plan, takes advice from the Railway Authority and keep notes of when assessments are made of the trees. If there are concerns about the safety of the trees, the Scout Group seeks the advice of a qualified arboriculturist and notifies the Railway Authority. As such, in the event of an accident involving one of the trees, they believe the system put in place would be that of a reasonable and prudent landowner. Records of liaison with the Railway Authority to ensure that they specifically consider the trees during routine checks would provide further useful information, enabling trees to be retained and continuing to provide benefits to the scouts.