A former wetland next to the railway at Cattawade, Suffolk, has been brought back to life in what Network Rail says is the first restoration of its kind in the East of England, aiming to enhance biodiversity and strengthen the railway's resilience to climate change.

The area, covering almost seven hectares, was originally drained nearly 180 years ago to safeguard the embankment of the London to Norwich line, which in turn destroyed a valuable habitat for native bird species.

Delivered by QTS on behalf of Network Rail, the scheme used nature-based techniques. Around 4,000 tonnes of granite and other erosion-resistant rock now form a protective 'rock armour' along the embankment, new channels have been cut to re‑wet the site, and a series of two‑metre mounds just above the waterline will provide nesting spots for wetland birds.

Network Rail plans to build on this approach by improving biodiversity at 14 further locations across the East of England, targeting the creation of more than 116 hectares of new biodiverse sites by 2035 under its Greener Railway Strategy.

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According to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, the UK has lost 75% of its wetlands over the past 300 years, while Office for National Statistics data shows wetland bird numbers fell by 15% between 1975 and 2019 — making the Suffolk project a local response to a national challenge.

John Minshull, Network Rail's senior asset engineer said: "This restoration project shows what can be achieved when environmental ambition and engineering come together.

"There was a real collaboration and drive between all teams to recreate a habitat that's vital for wildlife while increasing the resilience of the railway against climate change.

"With this year's Earth Day theme being Our Power, Our Planet, this project is a powerful example of how we can work with nature rather than against it."

Network Rail's Eastern region head of sustainability, Russell Knight said: "We know that biodiversity is reducing across the country, and as a major land owner, Network Rail has the opportunity and the ambition to play its part in revitalising biodiversity where it can, working in partnership with the Wildlife Trust.

"By returning this area to its former condition, it will help prevent flooding elsewhere in the area as nature itself can play a massive role in helping us offset the challenges of climate change."

The restored wetland is already expected to draw back waders such as curlews, avocets and oystercatchers, and to support the sea aster mining bee — a rare species seldom found beyond Anglia and the south‑east coast.

Re‑wetting the site also slows the flow of water reaching the embankment, improving the effectiveness of the new rock armour and further reinforcing the railway against the impacts of a changing climate.

While further work is planned, the Cattawade scheme marks a significant step towards a more sustainable railway, offering benefits for local communities and the environment alike.