Fusion HS2 Habitat Translocation Works

Ancient Woodland Translocation – Mossey Corner Spinney -Translocation of ancient woodland and soils including tree stumps, Ecological features and woodland soils / seed bank. Creation of new planting areas and translocation of existing self-seeded trees. All works were carried out under Ecological Supervision. The translocation of coppiced tree stumps from the donor site to the receptor site involved the careful removal and storage of topsoil and the careful translocation of the tree stumps, ancient woodland soils and seed bank to the receptor site under Ecological Supervision.

Translocation of soils and tree stumps were carefully planned and executed to ensure all areas identified for translocation were translocated from the donor site to the receptor site on the same day. This method has been identified as having the highest success rate.

We provided our own Ecology teams who are required to provided Ecological Support developing different method statements for the works, check existing Ecology survey data, act as Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) to monitor our works and ensure that we carry out the works in accordance with the agreed method statement and with the Natural England Licenses.

Protected species included Bats, Badgers, Hazel Dormice, Great Crested Newts, nesting Birds and reptiles. The works also included the identification and treatment of noxious and invasive weeds.

The outcomes for the customer on the project were as follows:

• All works are being delivered in a fully compliant manner ensuring that all UK legislation is met.
• Works delivered in accordance with the relevant licences issued by Natural England.
• All program dates and key milestones were met to ensure that all of the works are being delivered within the agreed timescales and maintaining the main work programme.
• The quality of the delivery of works was excellent and our Ecological Supervision teams are delivering the works to a consistently high standard and working collaboratively with our site-based teams, the Enabling Works Contractor (EWC), HS2 and Main Works Contractors (MWC).
• Due to the high standards being maintained on site and the level of planning and supervision of the work there were no Environmental incidents of any kind on site or in association with our works.

Following completion of the works planned annual maintenance regimes to maintain the completed Ancient Woodland Mitigation sites and monitor the planting and success of the regeneration of the ancient seedbank and soils were implemented for a five-year period.