The Mend the Gap Programme aims to enhance the areas of the Chilterns AONB and North Wessex Downs AONBs that have been negatively impacted by the electrification of the Great Western Railway around the Goring Gap.
Mend the Gap wants to make contact with landowners and communities in the programme area to develop enhancement projects. We are seeking to identify and support large landscape enhancement projects that will contribute towards meeting the programme’s overall vision of softening the scars left by the electrification of the Great Western mainline, by enhancing and enriching the outstanding landscape that links the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs for wildlife, residents and visitors.
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 AONBs by the electrification of the Great Western main line, where it runs through the two AONBs.
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.
What to know more about what we are doing?
Check out our projects we have supported page above. We have supported over 16 local projects, planted over 990m of hedges and continue to develop new projects with the community. If you have an idea please email us.
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.
Watch our Video
Our partners: Chilterns AONB
Our partners: North Wessex Downs AONB
