Innovis, Widnes

ECL was appointed to provide specialist input to the environmental assessment of a strategic rail freight park development in Cheshire. We carried out phase 1 habitat surveys of the site and undertook protected species surveys for bats and reptiles. The site is located on contaminated land close to the Mersey Estuary, an internationally important wetland designated as a Special Protection Area, Ramsar site and Site of Special Scientific Interest. The potential for impacts on the estuary was a key issue addressed as part of the EA work. Wintering bird surveys were undertaken to determine whether the site was utilised by birds from the estuary, and baseline macroinvertebrate surveys were carried out on two watercourses that flow through the site and into the Mersey.

As a result of the surveys, the design layout was modified to preserve important habitats including orchid-rich grassland, saltmarsh, and meadow areas supporting breeding skylark. A range of mitigation measures were proposed to minimise the potential for any negative impacts on the nearby Mersey Estuary. Positive impacts on local ecology are anticipated as a result of the scheme, including improvements in water quality in the watercourses feeding into the Mersey Estuary and the implementation of conservation-orientated management of grassland and other habitats within the site.

Depots and Sidings, Phase 1

Client: Norton Associates on behalf of London Underground Ltd

Date: 2005 - 2006

ECL, in conjunction with Atkins, was commissioned by London Underground Ltd (LUL) to carry out a biodiversity survey of the overground sections of the LUL estate. This revises data collected during ecological surveys undertaken by the London Wildlife Trust in 1999, and guides maintenance work and future management plans to improve biodiversity on the LUL estate.

The project was divided into two phases carried out between spring and autumn in 2005 and 2006. Phase 1 involved a protected species and habitat assessment of 12 depots and various sidings on lines managed by Metronet on behalf of Transport for London (trackside land and stations were surveyed by Atkins). Information gathered during this stage was used to inform phase 2 of the project.

The survey methodology, developed by ECL, Atkins and Norton Assoc. allowed survey data to be entered onto a palm-top in the field and cross-referenced to the vegetation compartments mapped on-site.

Phase 2 survey requirements were identified for flora, great crested newts, invertebrates, water voles, badgers and reptiles.