Great Stukeley Railway Cutting facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 34.7 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Great Stukeley Railway Cutting is a special natural area in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. It covers about 34.7 hectares, which is like 85 football fields! This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. This means it's a place protected by law because of its important plants, animals, or geology.
Contents
What Makes This Place Special?
A Protected Area for Wildlife
The Great Stukeley Railway Cutting became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986. These sites are chosen because they have rare or important wildlife. Protecting them helps keep nature healthy for the future.
Where is Great Stukeley Railway Cutting?
This special area is found along the East Coast Main Line railway. It's located just north of the Huntingdon railway station. The site includes the grassy areas right next to the railway tracks.
Home to Unique Plants
The ground here is made of a special type of clay. It's called calcareous clay. This means it has a lot of Calcium carbonate, like chalk or limestone. This soil helps certain plants grow very well. Many of these plants used to be common in Huntingdonshire. But now, they are quite rare. This is because most of the land is used for farming. The railway cutting offers a safe home for these plants.
How Nature is Cared For
Nature needs a little help sometimes to stay healthy. At Great Stukeley Railway Cutting, two main things help the plants thrive. First, rabbits graze on the grass. This stops taller plants from taking over. It allows smaller, rarer plants to get sunlight. Second, the area is sometimes burned on purpose. This controlled burning also helps clear old growth. It makes space for new, important plants to grow. These methods keep the habitat just right for the special plants.
Visiting the Area
There is no direct public access to the Great Stukeley Railway Cutting itself. This helps protect the delicate plants and wildlife. However, you can still see parts of the site. You can view the area from nearby bridges that cross over the railway line. This way, you can admire the special habitat from a safe distance.
