Revealed: Network Rail's new £800m scheme to remove all 'leaf fall' trees

Exclusive: five-year 'enhanced clearance' programme targets trees along 20,000 miles of track to avoid delays, according to an internal document

Network Rail is to target all "leaf fall" trees for removal alongside its tracks in a new 800m five-year programme of "enhanced clearance", according to an internal document seen by the Guardian.

The policy document for 2019-24 emerged as the environment secretary, Michael Gove, summoned the chief executive of Network Rail for talks over their approach to environmental management following revelations about tree felling across the country by the Guardian.