Mend the Gap is enhancing areas of the Goring Gap that have been negatively impacted by the electrification of the Great Western Railway.
The programme is run jointly by the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes, with involvement from the Railway Action Group (a group derived from the local community to protest the design of the gantries used in the electrification).
Highlights so far (to November 2024)
Mitigation
Project managed by Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South East (FWAGSE).
- 11,070 plants and 186 trees planted.
- 1,307m of fencing installed.
- Planting to date has been in and around South Stoke and Goring/Gatehampton/Lower Basildon.
- It is anticipated that this season’s planting will double the total seen in the past two years.
- In terms of expenditure relative to the £750k Mitigation Fund, this is on target to reach about 70% of the proposed sites by April 2025. See more on our Mitigation page.
Enhancement
There are 120 projects in the ‘funnel’, including 18 complete, 20 in the delivery phase (find out more) and 16 in development.
These cover the themes of Nature and Biodiversity, Knowledge, Access and Enjoyment, Landscape, Heritage, and Tourism.
- 258 hectares of land being enhanced.
- 105 landowners engaged.
- 662 people attending events.
- 332 people engaged in activities linked to health and wellbeing.
- 135 partnerships from our projects.
- 60 partnerships where we are a supporting partner.
Wetland or wetland access projects funded in the area to date include Withymead Nature Reserve, Cholsey Marshes, Sulham Wetland, Cleeve Meadow and the Englefield River Pang, with potential funding identified for South Stoke Lower and Upper Marshes, Pangbourne Meadow, Mill Brook and Cholsey Brook areas.
Chalkland projects include the Rectory Farm Grassland Restoration and a suite of plant surveys with local landowners to improve grassland and woodland management.
These projects have been developed with landowners and other specialist partners, including most of the parish councils and schools in the area, the Environment Agency, Action for the River Kennet (ARK) and Thames 21.
In terms of cost relative to the £3m Enhancement Fund, projects carried in the funnel amount to about 77% on an un-risked basis and just under 50% on a risked basis (NB – these figures do not include immature leads).
Find out more
About Mend the Gap
Our aim is to reduce and compensate for the visual harm done to the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs National Landscapes by the electrification of the Great Western main line.
Enhancement Projects
Find out more about the types of projects and schemes that could be supported, including our small grant scheme (up to £15,000).
Mitigation Projects
Tree planting and hedgerow restoration to help screen, mask, distract from and soften the impact of the steel gantries and other electrical equipment.
Hedge and Tree Planting contracts
Are you, or do you know, a contractor who would like to tender for our tree and hedge planting taking place this winter across the Chilterns?
To find out what is available please visit the Chilterns Jobs, Contracts and Tenders page.
Watch our video
Where does the programme operate?
The programme area covers the railway corridor along a 20km stretch of line between the outskirts of Reading and Didcot and 3km either side of the line.