Sensitive vegetation clearance and reptile mitigation

Crowborough

Along the 4 km scheme, we cleared woodland and hedges in preparation for ecological mitigation. The project required effective communication, working with land agents and landowners, installing stock and post-and-rail fencing as required.

We undertook a 60-day ecological ‘trap-out’ of the easements in association with South East Water’s ecological team. Traps and refugia were laid out at regulation intervals, inspected and at the end of the extended period, closed and removed.

Once the easements had been cleared of reptiles, we ground out stumps along the 4km scheme before mowing the easement prior to topsoil removal.

Pembury

We undertook vegetation clearance to establish the 1.5 km long working easements through arable and equestrian land in preparation for groundworks and pipe-laying.

As with the site at Crowborough, semi-rigid reptile exclusion fencing was used. Post-and-rail fencing was established along the easement where the fields were used for equestrian purposes and gates were modified to exclude reptiles from the work area.

Lindfield

After work at Crowborough and Pembury, the focus moved to Lindfield, with a further 1.2 km of vegetation clearance and the erection of reptile and stock fencing.

At Lindfield, there was also a need to install reptile grids: akin to cattle grids, these are applicable to ecologically sensitive projects where crossing points are required by humans or livestock. We also constructed a temporary sheep-race across the easement to allow access to temporary shelter from the sun and prevailing wind.