Helmdon Disused Railway
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationNorthamptonshire
Grid referenceSP 588 412[1]
InterestBiological
Area16.6 hectares[1]
Notification1990[1]
Location mapMagic 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″N 1°08′35″W / 52.067°N 1.143°W / 52.067; -1.143

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