Translink Infrastructure Team volunteers in Craigavon

Volunteers from Translink’s Infrastructure Division have partnered with Butterfly Conservation and Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council to combat a growing threat to biodiversity at Craigavon Lakes. 

Together, they worked to manage the encroaching scrub on the council-owned nature reserve, a valuable site located on both sides of the railway line.

The initiative is focused on protecting the species-rich grasslands that are vital for the survival of the Cryptic Wood White (CWW) butterfly, a priority species in Northern Ireland. Scrub encroachment has been identified as a key threat to the butterfly, which depends on open, unshaded environments.

Rose Cremin, Conservation Manager at Butterfly Conservation, highlighted the project’s importance: “The CWW occupies a variety of habitats, including gardens, open grasslands, and brownfield sites. Habitat patches and linear features like those alongside railway lines often provide ideal conditions for the species. Our work today ensures that suitable habitats for the CWW at Craigavon Lakes are maintained, safeguarding them from scrub encroachment. This effort will also benefit other butterfly, moth, and pollinator species.”

Suzanne Sinclair, Translink’s Biodiversity Manager, added: “This is Translink’s second consecutive year volunteering at Craigavon Lakes, and we are eager to continue this partnership. Volunteering for environmental conservation projects like this not only helps to enhance biodiversity along our network but also shows our commitment to environmental stewardship, in line with our Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”

The volunteers' efforts play a crucial role in preserving the delicate ecosystems at Craigavon Lakes, ensuring that the area remains a thriving habitat for the CWW butterfly and other essential wildlife species.

Translink recently launched a new Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan – an ambitious target-driven approach to deliver nature-positive operations across the transport network by 2030. Closely aligned with Translink’s Climate Positive Strategy, targets outlined in the strategy include achieving a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10% by 2035 and increasing woodland cover on adjacent Translink landholdings from 14% to at least 30% by 2030. 

For more information please visit https://www.translink.co.uk/corporate/translinkspiritinaction/goeco/biodiversitystrategy