Thames Water has selected Barhale to reinforce a section of what was once believed to the longest tunnel in Europe and a key source of raw water for East London. The strategically important Thames Lee Tunnel (TLT) was built between 1955 and 1959 to carry water from the River Thames
Working at historical British landmarks is nothing new for leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water as it announces the commencement of works at Boughton House, having been engaged by Buccleuch, to return Star Pond, which dates back to the 1700s, to its original shape. Situated in Northamptonshire, Boughton
Construction and engineering firm John Sisk & Son has been appointed by Sheffield City Council to carry out £25m-worth of city centre landscaping work. Sisk started work last month on a makeover for the Fargate area of Sheffield city centre. More than 2,500 sq of pocket parks will be created
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is delighted to announce the partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for the iconic Armed Forces Day event, 13 Bridges Challenge. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors, is kindly providing SSAFA with all of the event infrastructure necessary for the day.
Biophilic Living aims to bring nature into buildings in a meaningful and functioning way. It is a concept conceived and based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’, with seven of its principles forming the basis of the unique scheme. In order for one such scheme to be completed in
The University of Derby has chosen construction firm Kier to build a new business school in Derby city centre. The new business school is 9317m2 and is planned to include a 233-seat auditorium, a stock market financial trading room, a creativity lab, an extended reality (XR) suite and a range
Wastewater and drainage specialist Lanes Group plc has launched a new national highways drainage surveying service backed by a dedicated data processing centre and advanced asset laser scanning technology. It means the company can provide clients with a safer, faster and more comprehensive highways drainage surveying service, integrated with its
LEADING specialist civil engineering product provider Wrekin has launched a new bespoke steel installation service for tier one contractors, to form an end-to-end- solution that includes design and manufacture for an easier product acquisition process. The service enables site managers to discuss project requirements with an expert from the
Land & Water, the UK’s leading wet civil engineering firm, is in the process of completing the largest winter dredge of Gloucester Dock. The firm, which carries out work at the dock and on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal each year as part of an ongoing framework with the Canal
60% of the Saltmarsh habitats around the UK have been lost since 1945, and without some inspired interventions significant further losses will continue, fuelled by coastal squeeze (development), increased wash from boats, extreme climatic events (climate change influences) and rising sea levels. Leading wet civil engineering firm, Land & Water,
BDC 322 : Nov 2024
Thames Water has selected Barhale to reinforce a section of what was once believed to the longest tunnel in Europe and a key source of raw water for East London. The strategically important Thames Lee Tunnel (TLT) was built between 1955 and 1959 to carry water from the River Thames at Hampton Water Works to Lockwood Pumping Station at the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. The 19-mile (31 km) tunnel, runs at a depth of 68 to 190 feet (21 to 58 m) and passes through 24 access shafts of 12 feet (3.7 m) diameter. It was designed to transfer 120 million imperial gallons (550 megalitres) of water per day. The contract will see civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale reinforce a 70 metre length of the 102-inch (2.6 m) diameter concrete-lined tunnel water main where it runs across the route of HS2 in North London. The location of the works will necessitate an unusually long concrete pump – 800m horizontal plus the almost 50 metre depth of the Barrow Hill shaft at Primrose Hill – to the site of the works. Barhale has been working with Caumford to design a bespoke pumping solution. Shane Gorman, Barhale’s Water Director – Southern Region, highlighted the importance of the Thames Lee Tunnel as part of London’s water infrastructure. “The need for the TLT was identified both to address drought conditions and to meet the requirements of new housing and development in East London after the Second World War,” he said. “For more than sixty years it has played an essential role transporting water across the capital and these works are an important measure to reinforce a key part of London’s water distribution network. “The section we are working on offers some additional challenges: the actual site of the relining is an unusually long distance from an access shaft and the levels of service and utility congestion in Camden means that we can’t sink boreholes. So designing a concrete-pumping solution that will work over more than half a mile has been a key focus. “We have worked closely with Thames Water on the design and scheduling of this project. Such is the strategic importance of the Thames Lee Tunnel that outages can only be scheduled for certain times of the year and they are contingent upon general storage levels across the rest of the network. “We have now identified a suitable window and look forward to successful completion in February 2024.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Working at historical British landmarks is nothing new for leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water as it announces the commencement of works at Boughton House, having been engaged by Buccleuch, to return Star Pond, which dates back to the 1700s, to its original shape. Situated in Northamptonshire, Boughton House dates back to 1528 when it was once the home of the Montagu family who took style inspiration from the French, leading to the House being coined the ‘English Versailles’. In the 20th century it became home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry who wished to preserve this national treasure. Over the last three decades, Buccleuch has been working to uncover long lost waterways and lakes dating back over 300 years. As part of this, Land & Water will be restoring Star Pond which earnt its name through its original star shape. Having become built up with silt, the wet civil engineering firm will be carrying out dredging works as well as ensuring the pond cascades back to link with other estate waterways and the River Ise. Roger Baines, Contracts Manager at Land & Water, said: “We are delighted to be working at another historical landscape and preserving the future of the waterways at Boughton House. “As well as the works to return Star Pond to its former glory, we will also be installing an aquatic channel to enable fish and other aquatic life to easily travel down to the River Ise, as well as to support flood protection. “The environment is front and centre of all that we do at Land & Water and as part of this we want to ensure that we are supporting the creation of habitats to increase biodiversity.” David Cullum, Parks and Gardens Manager at Boughton Estate says: “In their heyday, the gardens were considered to be among the largest and finest in the country and in the last 30 years, considerable work has taken place to restore various features. It is an absolute privilege to be involved in this next exciting step of this journey and the restoration of Star Pond.” “Everything we do should have a positive impact on the environment, whether that be designed or natural. We are excited to be able to do both with the restoration of Star Pond.” Land & Water is due to be working at Boughton House until the end of summer. This coincides with another historical project at World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace, to remove 300,000m3 of silt from Queen Pool to preserve the legacy of the waterway for years to come.
Construction and engineering firm John Sisk & Son has been appointed by Sheffield City Council to carry out £25m-worth of city centre landscaping work. Sisk started work last month on a makeover for the Fargate area of Sheffield city centre. More than 2,500 sq of pocket parks will be created that will catch, store, absorb and clear rainwater and run-off from roads and pavements. Parts of the greenery will also be for children’ play areas. The events area next to Leopold Street will be enlarged, with added features such as public water points and bespoke seating. Trade waste bins will be removed from the street and replaced by ‘buried bins’ accessible to delivery vehicles only at specific times via an automated rise and fall bollard system. The streetworks are designed to support Sheffield City Council’s plan to have more flats and offices in the upper floors of Fargate buildings. Known as the ‘Front Door Scheme’, separate front door entrances will be installed to buildings, enabling easier access to previously hidden parts of Fargate. The project is funded by the South Yorkshire Combined Authority through the £50m Transforming Cities Fund. Completion is expected in summer 2024. Sisk’s UK Civils managing director Dominic Hodges said: “Sisk is delighted that we’ve reached this important milestone and that funding has now been secured to construct the scheme. We’ll be working closely with local businesses and residents throughout construction to ensure this work causes minimum disruption.” “We’re pleased to be working with Sheffield County Council on this scheme which will enhance Fargate and help to make the high street more sustainable.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, is delighted to announce the partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for the iconic Armed Forces Day event, 13 Bridges Challenge. Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, one of the UK’s leading civil engineering contractors, is kindly providing SSAFA with all of the event infrastructure necessary for the day. SSAFA’s flagship event, the 13 Bridges Challenge, happening on the 24th June, takes walkers through all the iconic London sights, including Tower Bridge and London Bridge, and passes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Palace, Shakespear’s Globe theatre, and many more on the 10 mile walk. The 13 Bridges Challenge is open to all ages and abilities, and the route is entirely wheelchair accessible. The walk is fully guided, with SSAFA team-leaders looking after participants every step of the way. Logistics support and everything from generators to porta-loos will be supplied by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and their supply chain partner, Econ Group. Members of the Armed Forces are also on hand to give guidance and assistance to those who need it. Hannah Siddle, Senior Challenge Events Officer, said: “We are so grateful to Morgan Sindall Infrastructure for their continued support of 13 Bridges Challenge. For the last two years they have provided the essential infrastructure, without which the event would not be possible. We are so excited to have their support for the third year in a row, making the 2023 13 Bridges Challenge, the best one yet!” SSAFA has chosen Armed Forces Day to run the annual event to raise awareness of the outstanding effort Britain’s Armed Forces contribute to the country. During times of national emergency, the Armed Forces regularly step in to assist the nation and, in times of conflict, they willingly put their own safety to one side and step up to support their country. The ‘F’ in SSAFA stands for Families. It is often the families of serving personnel who suffer difficulties resulting from service life. From moving regularly, being far away from family and friends, to the loss of a loved one, life in a military or naval family can be tough. SSAFA supports those families in their time of need. Sir Andrew Gregory, SSAFA Controller, said: “SSAFA’s 13 Bridges Challenge, held on Armed Forces day each year, is the main opportunity in London to thank servicemen and women for their selfless commitment to our nation. “In 2022 over 350 people had a most enjoyable walk from the Tower of London to Putney, raising much needed funds that allow SSAFA to help our Armed Forces, veterans and their families in their times of need. In 2023, we hope to have 1,000 participants; come and be one of them!” SSAFA is still open to corporate sponsorship and teams for this event. Please contact Hannah Siddle for more information: Hannah.Siddle@ssafa.org.uk
Biophilic Living aims to bring nature into buildings in a meaningful and functioning way. It is a concept conceived and based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’, with seven of its principles forming the basis of the unique scheme. In order for one such scheme to be completed in Swansea, National Pile Croppers, a company proud of its own environmental credentials, assisted by supplying pile cropping expertise and equipment to the flagship development. Biophilic Living, is a UK first at bringing nature into our buildings in a meaningful and functioning way, being a concept based on the ‘Wellness of Future Generations Act’ with seven principles forming the basis of the scheme. This uses unique and innovative systems of energy from sustainable sources that deliver unparalleled levels of performance to housing occupiers, leading to lower energy cost that are low carbon in origin. Significant savings in carbon are also experienced from the reutilisation of an existing building, saving up to 40% in embedded carbon compared to an entire new build. Visionary Swansea development – Helix 21 The vision for Biophilic Living Swansea is to enable reconnection with nature in the urban environment, and the creation of a cohesive community to tackle issues of social exclusion and loneliness in an innovative way. Under the name of Helix 21, the project will allow residents to help run an urban farm as a social enterprise, with home grown produce consumed and sold locally. Biophilic Living is founded on research that shows that reconnecting with nature is essential to well-being, with positive community and health outcomes derived from living more closely alongside the natural world. In practical terms, Helix 21 will provide residents with access to roof spaces, glass houses, and the creation of a winter garden to meet and become involved in the growing of food for consumption, whilst also providing a meeting space that has panoramic views of Swansea Bay. The development, a first for the UK, has seen the pioneering project being awarded funding through the Welsh Government Innovative Housing Programme. It will trial a new, scalable model that is set to transform the way inner city housing in Wales is conceived and implemented. The project is a mixed use development that includes affordable and shared ownership housing, as well as retail and commercial space. It has been undertaken by Hacer Developments, being designed by Powell Dobson Architects in Swansea. The concept is the result of extensive collaborative working among a range of local organisations, including Swansea University, the Active Building Centre, Public Health Wales, Swansea Community Farm and Sero Homes Ltd. “There is an urgent need for housing and mixed use developments that are sustainable in terms of their environmental impact and economic viability, as a response to the climate emergency and to ensure greater resilience and well-being for urban communities. This project will prove what’s possible, showcase new technologies being developed locally, and blaze a trail for others to follow across Swansea city centre and beyond,” says Carwyn Davies, director of Hacer Developments. Environmentally friendly construction Given the nature of the Biophilic development in Swansea, construction techniques had to maintain the highest levels of environmentally friendliness. Any work had to keep disturbance to a minimum, be low emission, and crucially, have as little detrimental effect to the local habitat as possible. As concrete piles were used to form the substructure of the development, Helix 21 sought out a company with high environmental values to supply the necessary pile cropping equipment. To this end, Helix 21 engaged National Pile Croppers to not only advise on the most suitable solution for the pile cropping, but also supply the necessary equipment. “All in all there were 70 x 650mm diameter piles that required cropping over a six week period. Given the nature of the site, and the values of Helix 21 and the Biophilic Living scheme, we recommended the use of our Quad Large,” commented National Pile Cropper’s managing director Simon Price. “The Quad Large is a highly efficient pile cropper that could easily handle the work demanded of it in Swansea. Although highly powerful with efficient hydraulics, it can be used by a 16 t excavator, and is lowered over the top of the pile to the recommended height. The Quad then simply closes its jaws until the pile section pops free, ensuring that the reinforcement bars are straight for ease of removal, and that the broken pile section can then be lifted for removal. This means that any material from the pile can be easily recycled,” adds Simon. National Pile Croppers has placed a great deal of emphasis on developing its solutions to be not only highly efficient and effective, but also to be as environmentally friendly as possible. “The environment and the effective use of resources is very important to us and has been endemic to the company since its inception. The chance to be involved on such a scheme as the Swansea Biophilic Living development presented the perfect opportunity for us to put our values into action. We are all very proud to be associated with the scheme,” concludes Simon Price. Lower cropper Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of Derby has chosen construction firm Kier to build a new business school in Derby city centre. The new business school is 9317m2 and is planned to include a 233-seat auditorium, a stock market financial trading room, a creativity lab, an extended reality (XR) suite and a range of social collaborative study spaces and quiet contemplation areas. The school will also feature a café on the ground floor. The new building is projected to be the study base for more than 6,000 students by 2030 and will provide a link between local businesses and the wider community. Two levels of the building will be open to the public, allowing students, academics, researchers and University staff to work alongside businesses co-located in the school as well as with the wider business community. This will support and nurture growth, knowledge exchange and idea generation. Andrew Bevan, Interim Director of Estates at the University of Derby, said: “The development of the business school is a catalyst for the regeneration of our city hub site. “I’m delighted that we have entered into a contract with Kier to deliver this landmark building, which is part of the University’s broader vision to expand its reach and reputation across the UK and globally.” Colina Wright, CEO of the Union of Students at the University of Derby, added: “As a Union, we are delighted to be involved in this project and are both passionate and committed to ensuring the student voice is reflected throughout. “We have been impressed with discussions about student involvement and wider conversations about giving back to the community through employment and internship opportunities as well as considerations for sustainability and city regeneration. I am motivated by what this project can do for the city but more importantly for our students, during their time at Derby and beyond. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the University and its partners as the project develops.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wastewater and drainage specialist Lanes Group plc has launched a new national highways drainage surveying service backed by a dedicated data processing centre and advanced asset laser scanning technology. It means the company can provide clients with a safer, faster and more comprehensive highways drainage surveying service, integrated with its unrivalled drainage unblocking, cleaning, repair and rehabilitation services. One of the first major projects Lanes has supported with the new service has been A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, a scheme to improve the A66 between the M6 in Penrith and the A1(M) at Scotch Corner. Lanes Head of Highways Ben Forsyth said: “Developing our own in-house highways data capture and processing capability allows Lanes to deliver a faster, more agile, and safer surveying service for clients. “This can be coordinated with our drainage cleaning, repair and rehabilitation teams to give highway contractors and National Highways the best possible integrated drainage service.” Lanes can now deliver a broad range of highway survey services with in-house teams, including CCTV, GPS, full HADDMS and asset conditions surveys. It has also invested in the latest chamber laser scanning technology, so assets can be surveyed more safety and faster than ever before, with no need for confined space entry. The CleverScan inspection system is highly portable, fast and accurate. It creates a flat scan and a dense point cloud image of chambers up to 10 metres deep that can be merged into CAD and 3D applications. Using CleverScan, Lanes teams can carry out more than 30 chamber surveys per shift, twice as many as conventional methods. The laser scanner is lightweight and can be operated away from a vehicle. Data is added directly to National Highways shape files which are then sent via the cloud to a new dedicated highways drainage survey processing centre in Manchester. Its qualified and experienced highways drainage data technicians then compile reports precisely in line with client needs. The service meets National Highways targets for updating HADDMS, while providing detailed interim survey reports for client engineers. Lanes has proved the value of its new in-house service while working on the A66 scheme which is being progressed by contractors in a National Highways regional delivery partnership. Between January and March 2023, drainage engineers from the Lanes Newcastle depot completed 40 night shifts, working on the eastern section of the planned upgrade route. A team of Lanes drainage engineers from Preston and Manchester were due to begin a similar programme of works on a stretch of the A66 in Cumbria. All Lanes personnel hold the National Highways Passport and receive thorough in-house training on the new surveying systems. Lanes Contract Manager Andrew Lindsay said: “Combining the latest data capture technology like, CleverScan, with cloud data transfer and centralised processing is a game-changer for our clients. “We can give them more tailored reports that are more accurate and delivered faster than ever before. Then, if remedial work is needed, we have all the assets and skills needed as well. “It’s an end-to-end service that maximises operational effectiveness, sustainability – through multitasking and use of digital technologies – and value, through efficiencies created by service integration.” Lanes Group: www.lanesfordrains.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING specialist civil engineering product provider Wrekin has launched a new bespoke steel installation service for tier one contractors, to form an end-to-end- solution that includes design and manufacture for an easier product acquisition process. The service enables site managers to discuss project requirements with an expert from the newly formed Wrekin Steel Project Installation Team. The team will schedule an initial site visit before the design and creation stage, to allow for early identification and first-time specification success of the right steel solutions prior to arranging the installation date. This will reduce the likelihood of miscommunication and an incorrect specification. Offering a robust and comprehensive range of bespoke steel solutions, the Wrekin team can deliver access covers, walkways, platforms, staircases, ladders, handrails or head wall grilles to overcome any potentially project halting delays. Richard Lovatt, fabrication and installation manager at Wrekin, said: “We understand that our clients’ time is precious, so by being able to turn to us for a complete solution that includes bespoke and early steels specification, as well as installation support, saves time and provides peace of mind. Often, the use of intermediaries can lead to details being lost or misinterpreted during traditional procurement, so our new service is the answer to unnecessary delays or errors on our bespoke steel solutions. “With a free site visit to determine what’s needed and where, we can discuss the exact specification needed with site managers to keep their project moving forward.” The new service has been tried and tested on the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing – one of Norfolk’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years. Having begun construction in 2021, the extensive upgrade to Norfolk’s road network will link the two sides of the river and make use of a five-exit roundabout to take on the bulk of the town’s heavy traffic congestion. Wrekin supplied two bespoke steel access covers following an initial site visit and continued dialogue to achieve the final specification. Chris Feeney, design co-ordinator at BAM Farrans Joint Venture, said: “The nature and scale of the Third River Crossing project meant that any setbacks were costly. Having an expert on the ground assessing our existing failed covers felt assuring – with the solution we were set to receive being determined as fast and accurately as possible. “The covers provided by Wrekin perfectly meet our desired specification. It’s a great new service Wrekin is offering and they’re set to make life easier for others like they did for me.” To find out more about Wrekin visit: https://www.wrekinproducts.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Land & Water, the UK’s leading wet civil engineering firm, is in the process of completing the largest winter dredge of Gloucester Dock. The firm, which carries out work at the dock and on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal each year as part of an ongoing framework with the Canal & River Trust, will be carrying out backhoe dredging to remove approximately 5,000m3 of silt in order to improve navigation for vessels in the dock. The silt will then be spread onto local agricultural land as part of Land & Water’s environmental commitment as it prioritises enhancing local havens for wildlife and increasing biodiversity. Lucy Lee, Contracts Manager at Land & Water, says: “The lack of rainfall and increasing temperatures in the UK has led to a lot of sediment building up across a range of docks and canals, including at Gloucester Dock. “Up until April, the Land & Water team will be using its specialist equipment to increase the depth of the waterway in areas that require improvement in order to restore the navigation channel through the docks and free boats trapped by silt. “We are proud to be continuing our work with the Canal & River Trust to improve the UK’s network of waterways and to maintain Gloucester Dock and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.” Land & Water has held a framework contract with the Canal & River Trust for over 20 years and has been working at Gloucester Dock to carry out a range of services including water injection dredging in the east channel of the River Severn in Gloucester and debris clearance on Worcester Bridge. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
60% of the Saltmarsh habitats around the UK have been lost since 1945, and without some inspired interventions significant further losses will continue, fuelled by coastal squeeze (development), increased wash from boats, extreme climatic events (climate change influences) and rising sea levels. Leading wet civil engineering firm, Land & Water, alongside the new sister company Earth Change, (which was set up to optimise the natural capital solutions for distressed land), has re-invented a drag box solution dating back to the early 1900s to restore the UK’s Saltmarshes, with the first full-scale trails, permitted by the MMO (Marine Maritime Organisation), completed in March 2023. Saltmarshes provide incredible environmental benefits including acting as a natural flood defence, an absorbent of harmful nitrates and phosphates and a haven for wildlife to increase biodiversity. Land & Water, and Earth Change, have partnered with Chichester Harbour Conservancy as part of the Solent Seascape Project for trials to restore the saltmarsh in Chichester Harbour. The need to restore this valuable environment follows the loss of 250ha of Saltmarsh in Chichester alone since 1945. The UK dredges approximately 20 million tonnes of silt and mud a year maintaining our ports, harbours and marinas. The majority of this material is disposed of offshore, in designated disposal sites. The new technology allows this valuable resource to be reused for an environmental gain, and crucially “at scale”. Restoring Saltmarshes within an intertidal habitat is not straightforward. The large barges and ships used in commercial dredging operations cannot directly access the shallow waters and mudflats where Saltmarsh proliferates. The use of the drag box enables the larger vessels to deposit their muddy cargoes close to the Saltmarsh at high tide, for retrieval once the tide has ebbed away. The drag box methodology was used by Victorian engineers to dredge lakes, dragging a skid between two traction engines to recover silts and sediments ashore. Land & Water has borrowed modern hydraulic winching technologies from the Canadian Forestry Industry, coupled with a new/enlarged drag box design to enable the efficient recovery of large quantities of sediment in very short timescales, and with negligible environmental impact. (See below link) James Maclean, CEO of Land & Water, says “This exciting new development shows how we can reuse materials from one industry in a positive way to increase the value of our nation’s Natural Capital. Our works are being underpinned by a team of national experts and we are delighted to have worked with a wide group of stakeholders to unlock this concept. “Helping nature to help herself is hugely gratifying and finding an opportunity to provide an alternative beneficial reuse of what is usually a waste material that would previously be disposed of at sea is a truly circular economy concept at work. “From trials conducted over eight years ago we know we can recolonise the Saltmarsh naturally with carefully crafted new landforms made from the silt, which is a totally natural product. This process provides knock-on benefits to water quality, bio-diversity net gain, reduce coastal erosion, improve sea defences, create green space habitats and carbon fixing… accessing new funds from developers, who can show corporate responsibility by funding nature’s recovery close to their new schemes.” Chichester Harbour has a very high nature conservation value and is highly protected. But it has also lost nearly 60% of its Saltmarsh since 1946 (established using wartime military aerial photography as highlighted in Natural England’s Condition Review of Chichester Harbour SSSI February 2021). Similarly worrying levels of decline in Saltmarsh have been documented around the Solent, and more widely around the sensitive estuaries of the UK. The research for the trials will be led by Angus Garbutt at The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), and Christian Dunn at Bangor University with Jo Preston at University of Portsmouth. Once finished, it will look to validate the nutrient and carbon uptake of the restored habitat and provide a basis for a new nutrient and carbon code for habitat trading. By validating the carbon and nutrient absorbing capacity of this Natural Capital asset, the credits from the re-creation will be offered to frustrated developers to offset the impacts of their new developments and stimulate nature’s recovery “in their own back yard”. Tom Godfrey, Co-Founder of Earth Change, commented: “This has proven an incredibly efficient and low carbon method of reusing a material that’s usually deposited at sea to regenerate a failing SSSI Saltmarsh. “Earth Change is very happy with how the saltmarsh restoration drag-box trial has gone to date. As a result, we have generated interest from other parties to use this method. I would like to thank our partners, Chichester Harbour Conservancy, Blue Marine Foundation, Endangered Landscape Programme and East Head Impact who have helped make this trial possible and to Land & Water who has delivered this innovative solution.” Sarah Chatfield, CHaPRoN Manager, said: “CHaPRoN is very excited about the saltmarsh restoration project at West Itchenor. It has been a success so far and we look forward to seeing the saltmarsh begin to recolonise over the summer and reviewing the outcomes of the project with our statutory partners. We need to find different ways of working if we are to reverse the declining trend in biodiversity and we hope we can continue with this approach of saltmarsh restoration in Chichester Harbour in the years to come.” Louise MacCallum, Solent Project Manager of Blue Marine Foundation, said: “It’s so inspiring to see the Solent Seascape Project being kicked off with such an innovative model to restore saltmarsh in one of the Solent’s most beautiful harbours. I am looking forward to revisiting the site in the months and years to come to watch its colonisation by saltmarsh plants.” Land & Water and Earth Change are set to undertake similar, full-scale trials at Lymington Harbour during the summer. For more information about the trials at Chichester Harbour, please click here: www.solentseacape.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
