Phase I and Phase II Ecological Surveys for Rail Project

Carillion and Network Rail

Keystone Ecology were commissioned to undertake Phase I Ecological Appraisal and all necessary Phase II Surveys of 28 different sites in relation to the Enhanced Spend, Wales and Western improvement project.

What did we do?

• Undertook Phase I Ecological Appraisal and Preliminary Surveys of 28 rail bridges and embankments.
• Carried out Phase II Surveys for bats, Badger, Great Crested Newt, Dormice, Otter, Water Vole and Hedgerow.
• Produced detailed reports with associated graphics that identified the key ecological constraints at each site.
• Provided ecological advice at all stages of the project.

How did we do it?

• Synchronised surveys, visiting multiple sites in one day to maximise our working efficiency.
• Liaised with all relevant Regulators to agree an acceptable but proportionate level of survey effort in advance of the survey season.
• Held regular project meetings with the client to explain potential ecological constraints as soon as they became known.
• Produced a summary matrix of all identified ecological constraints at each site with associated costs for further survey and/or mitigation as an ‘easy to read’ document for Carillion and Network Rail project managers.
• Suggested avoidance measures or alternative methods of working that would eliminate the need for further survey and/or costly mitigation measures.

What were the outcomes?

• Our approach to this project delivered ecological cost savings in the region of £200,000.
• All reporting deadlines were met.
• To date 1 site has commenced ahead of schedule following the application of our suggested method of avoidance and working, which eliminated the need to obtain a European Protected Species licence.