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Case Study 1:
E.N.i.M.S.' Expertise Contributes to Successful Outcome for New Forest SSSI
Specialists from E.N.i.M.S. Ecology and Landscape Management teams have been involved with a high-profile vegetation management scheme designed to improve road safety and enhance landscape views on the A31 between Junction 1 M27 and Ringwood, Hampshire.
The success of the scheme has now resulted in 16.5 hectares of SSSI now being listed as being in a "Recovering" condition, and reversing the status of "Unfavourable Declining."
The Project Brief
Ecological and Land Management experts were engaged for their on-site expertise on this 15km stretch of the A31 trunk road dual carriageway in Hampshire which will form part of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) linking all competition venues in 2012, and specifically London with the sailing events planned for Weymouth, Dorset in 2012.
The two main objectives of the project brief were to:
• Improve highway sight lines to give better visibility for road users and help reduce accidents.
• Enhance conservation and biodiversity to the area.
Both were achieved by removing monoculture species including gorse species and promoting the regeneration of heathers and other flora and fauna which characterise this area.
SSSI and AONB
The A31 passes through the middle of the New Forest National Park, which is renowned for its landscape; heathland habitats and associated protected species. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the project required a knowledgeable, sympathetic and sensitive approach.
Expertise in Managing Nature Conservation and Systems
E.N.i.M.S. provided expert environmental consultants in managing this type of nature conservation and management scheme to EnterpriseMouchel who are the managing agent for the Area 3 network.
Work to the central reservation and carriageway verges were carried out under overnight lane closures to minimise environmental impacts and disruption to road users.
Pete Satchell, Director of E.N.i.M.S., said that he was delighted that his team were involved in such an exciting project and that they were able to support and deliver this scheme on time and in accordance with Natural England and other stakeholder consents.
Provision of Tree Health & Safety Assessments
In addition to on-site supervision of vegetation clearance contractors E.N.i.M.S. Landscape Managers were involved in Tree Health & Safety Assessments. Trees posing a risk through being dead, dying or defective were removed from the wooded section of this route to improve safety for road users and open up space for existing healthy trees and new growth. Native tree species included Oak (Quercus robur) and Silver Birch (Betula pendula) were favoured over non-natives such as Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatinus). Gorse was removed throughout the site to increase light and space for low-lying vegetation and promote more desirable species-rich habitats.
Vegetation clearance was also carried out to improve visibility of road signs and lighting, and maintenance to ditches and carriageway drains was also completed during these works. Site tidying and litter removal was completed in conjunction with the New Forest District Council road maintenance teams.
Managing Protected Species
There was potential for a number of protected species to be present on-site during this project including:
• Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) • Adder (Vipera berus)
• Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis). • Common Lizard (Lacerta vivipara)
• Slowworm (Anguis fragile) • Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)
A number of these species are protected under European legislation (EC Habitats Directive) and all are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and as such required a greater duty of care to ensure that no species were injured during these works.There was also potential for a number of protected birds on site, most notably the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata) which has suffered over this winter and normally has a stronghold in the New Forest.
Special considerations were taken when identifying trees for removal within this area. Many of the mature trees also had the potential for supporting roosting bats which are also a European Protected Species. Prior to commencing any clearance works on this sensitive project E.N.i.M.S. carried out Landscape and Ecological Assessments for the entire route, and with the support of our clients, designed a scheme which satisfied the conditions of the statutory consultees whilst reducing environmental impacts.
Pete Satchell added, "The feedback upon completion of this project has been excellent and EnterpriseMouchel have expressed their satisfaction with the quality of finish attained.
And perhaps more importantly, the general public have also been pleased with the new, tidier look of the A31 carriageway."
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