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Identify potential natural environment detriment

Biodegradable Silt Mats

On this project, biodegradable silt mats have been placed across the swales that traverse the site to trap silt run-off and prevent it polluting nearby watercourses. The silt mats are manufactured from coir, which is a natural material made from coconut fibres that will biodegrade over time. Natural vegetation can grow through the silt mats, helping to stabilise the swales…


Barking Barrier Silt Capture

The project involves removing and reapplying the protective coating on the Barking Creek Barrier. To protect the River Roding from contamination, a customised, fully encapsulated hanging scaffold with a uniquely efficient drainage system has been created and installed. The barrier is still active, so the works are put together in a way that allows them to remove the system in…


Arboricultural First Aid Grab Bag

The project team wanted to be able to respond to any damage to tree roots during the project without delaying the work through needing to request their Arboricultural clerk of works attend site. The team prepared a first aid kit with all the equipment and detailed instructions on how to deal with damage to tree roots in line with their…


Wasteshark Canal Clean Up

Working close to a waterway In Leeds, where there are regular high winds, it is inevitable that some of the construction waste will end up in the canal next to the site. With the local community and the environment in mind, the contractor decided to contact WasteShark Leeds to do a canal clean up next to the site. This aquatic…


Bee Department on Site

The project team discovered a hive of local bees had built their home in the site’s steelwork. Understanding the importance of bees to the environment and their role as vital pollinators, the team quickly contacted the local Beekeepers Association for assistance. Recent research shows that bees are in serious decline in the UK and globally. In the UK, we have…


Biodegradable Tree Guards

This contractor has been looking to reduce the amount of single use plastics used on the project. One of the ways they have achieved this is to phase out single use plastic tree guards and now uses tree guards that are manufactured from a biodegradable material. This is a biodegradable shrub shelter is made from bio-based materials derived from sugarcane,…


Bat Lights

During construction of the A465 Section 2 permanent lighting columns had to be removed for work to proceed. This raised concerns that Lesser Horseshoe bats would then fly directly across the carriageway, resulting in a number of fatalities as they are used to the lights being in position. To prevent this a series of temporary lighting columns which are very…


PH and Turbidity Water Monitor

As the collection of water samples can be a difficult process, this contractor chose to have a full time PH and turbidity water monitor on site. The water monitor is a hybrid power system using photovoltaic panels with a propane generator in case of emergency. The entire site team have access to the online monitoring system which sends message alert…


DNA Insect Scan

This contractor created a method to measure the effectiveness of living walls for biodiversity. This is important because insect rates are falling at an alarming rate with several studies reporting losses of 40%, the situation is critical and insects are vital for the functioning of our ecosystems. There are projects that will have introduced green walls and assumed that they…


Falconry Used for Pest Control

We are refurbishing the former Royal Mail Building in Liverpool city centre for Liverpool John Moores University.  The building has been vacant for 5 years, and during this time has had seagulls nesting on the roof. Our scope of works includes roof works, and we therefore needed to prevent any nesting during the nesting season due to seagulls becoming very…


Japanese Knotweed Soil Remediation

Taking measures to help maintain a positive approach to the environment provides benefits in itself as well as promoting a good image. The work carried out on a construction site can cause a multitude of environmental effects to the local area. It is important that contractors manage the impact they may cause during the project and ensure that they consider the post…


Hydrocarbon Barrier

This project’s marine licence requires site to stop construction spills from entering the marine environment. The site were originally due to install a large filter drain system and collection ponds to process all run off from the existing platform. This would involve excavation within the Saltmarsh environment, potentially damaging the SSSI location and require 24/7 pumping system to be on…


Using Trained Dogs to Detect Japanese Knotweed

On this project they have found several areas where invasive plants particularly Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam is developing. As it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), to allow these species to spread in the wild, they want to do everything they can to prevent any spread at all. In their efforts to prevent…


Biobrane Silt Pockets

Biobrane Silt Pockets are designed to trap eroded material which encourages settlement of silt. On this project, they have been used as a type of check dam which require no-dig to control surface erosion from sheet run off and the migration of silt off site. As the silt pockets fill with water and trap silt, they create a sediment trap…


Battery Powered Small Boat

The environmental specialist on this project is active in the Dock assessing and reporting on the situation in relation to the wildlife and any factors that may have an impact, caused by the project. To enable the specialist to get as close to the wildlife as possible they have provided a battery powered small boat. The benefits of the boat…


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