TRU Secures Biodiversity Units from Leeds Council for Woodland Enhancement
Transpennine Route Upgrade project purchases units to boost habitats at Barnbow Woods, supporting sustainability goals.
By The SME Chronicle Newsroom
••2 min read
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The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has purchased 26 biodiversity units from Leeds City Council to enhance woodland habitats at Barnbow Woods and Barnbow Hall Woods.
The purchase, covering 8.32 hectares, equivalent to 11 football pitches, will support a 30-year habitat creation and management programme. This initiative is part of TRU's commitment to achieving a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), a core element of its sustainability strategy, 'Our Guiding Compass'.
The woodlands, located near the Transpennine route and approximately 3km east of Cross Gates station, will see improved species richness and diversity through enrichment planting and tree veteranisation. TRU's investment is entirely funding this long-term management plan.
Beyond ecological benefits, the healthy woodland will help capture carbon, reduce flood risk, and filter air and water. The site will also serve as a community asset, offering improved access to nature and associated mental health benefits via public footpaths.
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"This is a really exciting milestone for us in our journey to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain across our route. This significant purchase of biodiversity units from Leeds City Council, is the tenth largest biodiversity purchase to date in England. It will unlock new opportunities to enhance wildlife in the area and give local people improved access to nature."
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"We were pleased to welcome our colleagues at Leeds City Council to see the progress we’re making and are looking forward to seeing how this woodland evolves. Work began in May 2025 and will continue until at least 2055."
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"This is the first delivery of biodiversity units across the TRU programme, which will pave the way for future biodiversity agreements, to take us closer to achieving 10% BNG as we continue to deliver against Our Guiding Compass."
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"We are very pleased to support Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) with this project to improve woodland areas and biodiversity at these two sites in Leeds."
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"This project will support and sustain these areas for decades, providing wildlife benefits as well as helping to reduce flood risk, support carbon capture and limiting the impacts of climate change, We look forward to following this project as it develops."
Councillor Katie Dye from Leeds City Council met with TRU representatives at the site to observe ongoing work and receive updates.
Based on information from the official source: Network Rail (15/10/2026)
