Suffolk wetland reborn to boost wildlife and protect railway from climate risks

A long-lost Suffolk wetland has been brought back to life in a landmark restoration project—helping to revive wildlife habitats while strengthening the resilience of a key railway line.

The nearly seven-hectare site at Cattawade, drained almost 180 years ago to protect the London–Norwich railway, has now been restored to its natural state in what Network Rail says is the first project of its kind in the East of England.

Working with contractor QTS, the project blends engineering with nature-based solutions. Around 4,000 tonnes of rock have been installed to protect the railway embankment, while newly created water channels and raised nesting mounds are already attracting wetland birds back to the area.

The transformation is tackling two challenges at once: restoring a lost ecosystem and improving the railway’s ability to withstand climate impacts such as flooding and erosion.

And the timing is significant. With around 75% of the UK’s wetlands lost over the past 300 years—and wetland bird populations declining—projects like this are seen as vital in reversing long-term environmental damage.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/dfdeaa_f58a282c949f45e6801f5173815e9855/480p/mp4/file.mp4

Encouragingly, species including curlews, avocets and oystercatchers are beginning to return, alongside rare insects such as the sea aster mining bee.

Network Rail says this is just the beginning. Plans are already in place to boost biodiversity at 14 more sites across the region, contributing to a wider goal of creating over 100 hectares of new biodiverse land by 2035.

Project leaders say the restoration shows what’s possible when infrastructure and environmental ambition work hand in hand—delivering benefits for wildlife, communities, and the long-term sustainability of the railway.