THE Channel Tunnel Rail Link project has won a special commendation in the Railtrack annual environment awards.

Engineering environment manager Paul Johnson said: "We are delighted to receive another award that recognises our stewardship of the environment.''

The judges noted the ecological land bridges - concrete structures designed to carry shrubs and other vegetation, which will connect woodland areas and allow animals to safely cross the completed railway. They also looked at the project's actions to conserved the extremely rare grey mouse-ear plant, and the development of videos and other training aids to make site operatives "think green".

The Rail Link's work for the environment has been recognised on a number of occasions since construction began in 1998. Last year, contractor Balfour Beatty won the site environmental management category in the environment awards for Kent Business.