EAGLE-eyed members of a Saddleworth protest group have warned bosses of Network Rail they will be monitoring “vegetation management works” to ensure bird and bat life is not disturbed.

The Friends of Saddleworth group is worried over possible disruption to local bird and bat life while overnight work is carried out on the railway line between Diggle and Stalybridge junction this week.

Network Rail chiefs have written local residents to inform them that the works would take place from Tuesday (August 4) to Friday (August 7).

They said the cutting back operation is needed because vegetation and trees are growing into overhead line equipment.

“This is to ensure the supply of electricity is safe and safe for the passage of trains,” the letter said.

“Trees in the area will be inspected before the work takes place and any trees posing a risk or danger will be removed as part of the works.”

The Friends of Saddleworth, set up to try to get an aluminium fence removed in Den Lane, Uppermill two years following the removal of trees from the embankment of a historic railway viaduct, are worried the new exercise may harm local wildlife while the nesting and roosting season is still ongoing.

Members claimed Network Rail in 2018 went ahead with work in Den Lane without adequate checks on whether local bats and bird nests would be disturbed.

Police and bat experts investigated, but found no wildlife crime had been committed.

A spokesperson for the Friends of Saddleworth said: “We are worried that cutting back vegetation and trees in the middle of summer will harm local wildlife.

“There are many lovers of wildlife and birdlife living in this area, and we will watching how Network Rail go about this operation with great interest.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “As part of work to keep the railway safe, punctual and reliable for passengers and freight trains, we’re trimming and cutting back trees and weeds on the line between Stalybridge and Diggle Junction.

“This is routine maintenance that we do across the network every day of the year when trackside vegetation becomes overgrown, dangerously obscuring signals or the view from the train cab for drivers.

“We’ve written to our lineside neighbours to let them know about this work, which we carefully plan so it balances the needs of running and safe and reliable railway while protecting wildlife and the environment.”