urgent call for network rail to unblock nests

[Hannah Bourne-Taylor]

Hi everyone, 

In case some of you dont know about this: 

there are 3 swift nesting sites blocked in Chapel Milton viaduct, Derbyshire. The local swift group has been trying everything in their power to help the swifts - actually from when the maintenance work started as they told the workers to leave the nesting sites and sadly 3 were blocked. I have only just found out about this but this is an ongoing saga with police involved and all sorts as the swift group has tried to get Network Rail to unblock the nests since the work was done, to no avail. 

With the swifts on their way back, the group, led by Deb Pitman, is appealing to everyone to contact the CEO of Network Rail, Jeremy Westlake - jeremy....@networkrail.co.uk asking him to organise the unblocking of these nests. This is a last resort after failed attempts for several months. 

The group are holding a 'vigil' this coming Saturday in the hope their emergency campaign is taken more seriously by network rail (see poster embedded):-

If you want to help more actively or specifically, contact Deb on

debsp...@hotmail.com 

Deb is knowledgeable, articulate, diplomatic and dedicated so there is no need to advise her about what to do - she is doing a really good job - but if you can offer help then I'm sure she would be pleased. 

The Guardian is covering this so look out for the story online on Friday and in print on Saturday, all being well. 

Best wishes, Hannah 

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[Ben Stammers]

I’ve forwarded the message to a Network Rail contact – someone we’ve been working with on installing swift boxes with over here – she may be able to help – or know who to ask within NR. Will let you know if anything comes of it.

Ben

 

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[Mike Priaulx]

Done, and shared -

I'm sure many people are away at the moment, so even more important that those of us home with email access should send a brief email to the CEO of Network Rail, Jeremy Westlake - jeremy....@networkrail.co.uk - asking him to organise the unblocking of these nests.

A subject line could be:

Swifts' nest sites at Chapel Milton viaducts.

Here's a useful article about it:

https://chapelbiodiversity.blogspot.com/?m=1

You can email me at swifts....@gmail.com and I'll keep a note for reference of who's responded.

Many thanks,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

+++

Ben Stammers <Ben.St...@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk>: Apr 09 02:00PM

I’ve forwarded the message to a Network Rail contact – someone we’ve been working with on installing swift boxes with over here – she may be able to help – or know who to ask within NR. Will let you know if anything comes of it.

Ben

 

From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Hannah Bourne-Taylor

Sent: 09 April 2026 10:49

To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

Subject: [SLN] urgent call for network rail to unblock nests

 

 

Hi everyone,

In case some of you dont know about this:

there are 3 swift nesting sites blocked in Chapel Milton viaduct, Derbyshire. The local swift group has been trying everything in their power to help the swifts - actually from when the maintenance work started as they told the workers to leave the nesting sites and sadly 3 were blocked. I have only just found out about this but this is an ongoing saga with police involved and all sorts as the swift group has tried to get Network Rail to unblock the nests since the work was done, to no avail.

With the swifts on their way back, the group, led by Deb Pitman, is appealing to everyone to contact the CEO of Network Rail, Jeremy Westlake - jeremy....@networkrail.co.uk<mailto:jeremy....@networkrail.co.uk> asking him to organise the unblocking of these nests. This is a last resort after failed attempts for several months.

The group are holding a 'vigil' this coming Saturday in the hope their emergency campaign is taken more seriously by network rail (see poster embedded):-

 

If you want to help more actively or specifically, contact Deb on

debsp...@hotmail.com<mailto:debsp...@hotmail.com>

[Julia Barrell]

Done!

Kind regards - Julia, Cardiff

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From: 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: 10 April 2026 14:38
To: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: Swifts & Planning Advice <swifts....@gmail.com>

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[Gill Stacey]

Here’s the Guardian article:

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/apr/10/anger-as-swifts-nesting-holes-in-derbyshire-rail-viaduct-blocked-up

Gill

Stroud Swift Group

[Heidi Collishaw]

I emailed yesterday, and got a response, but it was addressed to Camilla! 🤔 Who is Camilla? 😁? 

The reply said they're seeking permission to install swift boxes on the viaduct. Will be interested to see whether they actually get installed....

Regards

Heidi

[amyjmarston]

Two emails sent from Ivanhoe Triangle Green Swifties SE5-
Lydia Syson (secretary) and Amy Marston (chair)

[Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group]

Emailed Westlake asked as a matter or urgency to unblock or provide even temporary boxes while they sort out proper mitigation measures at Milton.   Also suggested NR as a whole contact swift experts such as AfS and SC (sorry guys!) regarding an across the board integrated measure in all future viaduct works.  I received worrying info that the same has happened on a viaduct up these parts plus i know of swifts nesting on another so they would do well to get proper advice going forward.

Cally

On Friday, April 10, 2026 at 2:38:59 PM UTC+1 Mike Priaulx wrote:

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi all,

Just confirming that over 20 groups and individuals from the SLN have emailed Network Rail and either let me know or copied me in (and I know some others replied independently).

Thanks to everyone, apologies I've not had a chance to reply to most of you but I've got your message on record in case anyone ever needs it!

I think Jeremy may possibly be on holiday (recently booked!??) but you can still send an email to his account - matters are progressing in his absence.

All the best,

Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

[Cally Smith]

Great stuff Mike and everyone pushing for this.

Cally

Cally Smith 

Founder of NES Swifts (formerly Huntly Swift Group)

T: 07411 808 573
E: huntlysw...@gmail.com
Facebook/huntlyswiftgroup | Instagram/huntlyswiftgroup

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