Helmdon Disused Railway

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Helmdon Disused Railway
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Abandoned railway (South) - geograph.org.uk - 428884.jpg
Location Northamptonshire
Grid reference SP 588 412 [1]
InterestBiological
Area16.6 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Helmdon Disused Railway". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Map of Helmdon Disused Railway". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Helmdon Trail". Helmdon.com. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  4. ↑ "Helmdon Disused Railway citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Clearing the way for the butterflies" (PDF). Helmdon Voice. Helmdon Parish Council. Spring 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
  6. ↑ 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.

52°04′01″N1°08′35″W / 52.067°N 1.143°W / 52.067; -1.143

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