Marriott's Way - Ecology

Ecology

While the railway line was in use trackside vegetation would have been partly controlled. The vegetation would have been cut regularly or sprayed with herbicides, so that trains were not obstructed and to lessen the risk of fire. When the railway closed, such management ceased and a wide variety of plants colonised the track, making it, today, a diverse habitat for wildlife.

Today

In the Wensum Valley immediately above the flood plain between Hellesdon and Drayton over 100 species of vegetation have been recorded including hawthorn, guelder rose, wild rose, blackthorn, scrub oak, gorse and broom. Many wild flowers can be found such as shepherd's purse, ox-eye daisy, white campion and meadow saxifrage. Closer to the river the soil becomes heavier and wetter and vegetation includes alder, elder, marsh marigold and willow. To the north of Drayton the way passes over a variety of soil types. On the chalky soils typical plants found are the sycamore, birch and chalk grassland species such as wild carrot, self heal, bird's-foot-trefoil, knapweed and mullein. On the sandy soils bracken, birch and gorse are the more dominant species. Also, of note, are Lichens which are colonising many of the concrete structures and bridges along the track. Because of the variety of wild plants that are found, the way is an important area for insects, birds and small mammals.