The Blackberry Line was the local name for the Derwent Valley Light Railway, which used to run from central York down towards Selby. The route has since become one of York’s green corridors or nature corridors that provides both a valuable means for wildlife to move into an out of the city and for people to benefit from access to nature. During 2025 I began working with the Green Corridors Team of St Nicks Environment Centre to explore how we might encourage more people to visit and benefit from the site. This included exploring how the history of the railway line could encourage visitors in collaboration with the Derwent Valley Light Railway society.
Public engagement activities so far have included a ‘walk and talk’ workshop along the line, and pop-up activities at St Nicks’ autumn fayre.
