Mend the Gap

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).

Orchids at Hartslock Nature Reserve Dave Olinski

Latest Mitigation Planting Update

Project managed by Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South East (FWAGSE).

  • Over four Kilometres of hedge and over 600 trees planted to soften the impact of the railway gantries
  • The planting is on target to reach about 70% of the proposed sites by March 2026.

Latest projects Update

Approximately 75% of the fund is committed or spent. We hope to have committed the majority of the £3million by December 2025.These cover the themes of Nature and Biodiversity, Knowledge, Access and Enjoyment, Landscape, Heritage, and Tourism.

  • 30 complete projects,
  • 31 in the delivery phase
  • 12 in development
  • over 120 projects in the ‘funnel’

Highlights include:

  • 283.18 hectares of land being enhanced
  • 103 landowners engaged.
  • 898 people attending events.
  • 362 people engaged in activities linked to health and wellbeing.
  • 6000 children benefiting in their school grounds
  • 171 partnerships from our projects
A close up photo of a Common Blue butterfly resting on a Yellow Rattle flower.

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.

Sheepcot-mitigation-works-Goring

Watch our video

Mend the Gap Programme area

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.

Our partners: Chilterns

The Chilterns is a landscape of remarkable beauty and character that possesses unique geological, ecological and cultural heritage features.

Our partners: North Wessex Downs

The North Wessex Downs is a designated protected landscape covering an area of 668 square miles (1,730 square kilometres).