This loosely T-shaped site can be divided into two distinct sections: a series of narrow disused railway embankments, and the route of the former Surrey Canal that crosses the eastern end.The route of the old canal is accessible to the public. The embankments are not, but they provide an attractive outlook for residents of the adjacent tower blocks.
Local Wildlife Site
Accessible Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation
Rainsborough Avenue Embankments
Borough: Lewisham
Grade: Local
Access: Free public access (part of site)
Area: 1.24 ha
Description
Wildlife
The former railway embankment runs east to west, beside an industrial estate, in three sections. The western section is covered in woodland dominated by sycamore. The central and more eastern sections are dominated by silver birch, often in conjunction with an understorey of gorse, broom and Spanish broom, with patches of acid grassland. This site harbours an abundance of house sparrows, which are declining in London.Running north-south is the filled-in remains of the old Surrey Canal. The southern end is largely mown amenity grassland, with native and exotic shrubs planted at its edges, including hybrid buddleia, cotoneaster and sea-buckthorn. The western end of the site is covered in dense scrub that includes buddleia, bramble and elder.Facilities
No information available
House sparrow © Andy Fisher
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