Dormouse Bridge Construction, Marlborough

Kennett Construction

Keystone Habitats was commissioned to construct and install a Dormouse bridge to provide a link for Dormice between two areas of suitable habitat either side of the entrance to a new salt depot in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

What did we do?

• Fabricated the Dormice bridge in accordance with European Protected Species licence plans.
• Transported the fabricated bridge to site and thereafter undertook construction of the bridge.

How did we do it?

• Made minor modifications to the design of the bridge to improve its strength and longevity whilst avoiding the need for a licence amendment.
• Custom-made the steel mesh tubing that formed the main structure of the bridge and undertook preparatory work at our yard to minimise on-site installation time.
• Arranged and provided an ecologically trained Contract Manager to supervise the installation of the telegraph poles that would support the bridge.
• Hung the wire cables and attached the mesh tubing to these using a cherry picker to ensure safe working at height.
• Obtained native Honeysuckle from the immediate locality to fill the mesh tubes.

What were the outcomes?

• The bridge was installed in accordance with the specification provided ensuring compliance with the site licence.
• The project was delivered to budget.T
• he need for additional ecological supervision for an element of the work was avoided along with associated costs.
• The tight delivery timescales were met enabling the depot to commence operation in time for winter gritting season.