The Brief:
The project involved sensitive vegetation clearance to facilitate construction access, with works planned and monitored collaboratively by the Project Manager, Project Ecologist and Project Arboriculturalist.
The Solution:
A pre-commencement meeting established the clearance methodology and environmental requirements. Works included:
- Mechanical vegetation clearance over an 8m-wide construction corridor: Vegetation was sensitively reduced to 150mm above ground level, incorporating a 3.5m height clearance allowance.
- Ecologically sensitive clearance of vegetation using hand tools around existing badger sett, working collaboratively with the project ecologist.
- Invasive species management: Spot treatment using a suitably approved herbicide was undertaken on an existing clump of variegated yellow archangel adjacent to Bridge 20
The Result:
The works were delivered using defined clearance limits, controlled cutting heights with machinery and hand tools and targeted invasive species treatment. Multi-disciplinary coordination and collaboration with the stakeholders ensured that construction requirements were met while minimising unnecessary disturbance to retained vegetation and surrounding areas.
