Helmdon Disused Railway
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_428884.jpg) | |
| Location | Northamptonshire |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | SP 588 412[1] |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 16.6 hectares[1] |
| Notification | 1990[1] |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Helmdon Disused Railway is a 16.6-hectare (41-acre) linear biological Site of Special Scientific Interest between Helmdon and Brackley in Northamptonshire.[1][2]
This site is the former embankment and cutting of the Great Central Railway, which closed in 1966.[3] It is Jurassic grassland, and limestone spoil heaps have a very diverse floral community. Butterflies include the nationally scarce wood white and five nationally declining species. It is the only location in the county for the small blue butterfly.[4]
A public footpath runs along the site.[5]
The route of the HS2 High Speed railway crosses the southern end of the site.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Designated Sites View: Helmdon Disused Railway". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Map of Helmdon Disused Railway". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "The Helmdon Trail". Helmdon.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Helmdon Disused Railway citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ "Clearing the way for the butterflies" (PDF). Helmdon Voice. Helmdon Parish Council. Spring 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- ^ High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Local Environmental Management Plan South Northamptonshire District Council (PDF). DfT. July 2017. pp. 6, 16, 20, 21. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
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