Welcome to Warwickshire County Council

Ecology
Penny Anderson Associates Limited (PAA) have been working on the Rugby Western Relief Road since 2002, when we prepared an Environmental Statement for Ecology (PDF - 12.5 MB). This entailed surveying for habitats, great crested newts, badgers, bats, breeding birds, water vole and otter. As the project has evolved the focus has mainly been on great crested newt (GCN), badger, bats, breeding birds and water vole and otter. In all cases we have worked in accordance with legislation, planning policy and best practice guidance set out in published documents, such as that of the great crested newt mitigation guidelines (English Nature 2001). In summary the work for each species is as follows: GCN was found to occur in ponds along the proposed road route and so measures have had to be taken to prevent GCN mortality during construction. These measures included the construction of temporary amphibian fencing, which prevents GCN migrating between ponds along the road route where there will be construction activity. All work to safeguard GCN has been coordinated by experienced ecologists who had to obtain a licence to undertake this work. The licence was issued by DEFRA under the name of Mark Webb from Peak Ecology, who used to work for PAA. Badger setts were found within the proposed road route or close to it. Because they are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 measures have had to be taken to prevent disturbance or mortality to the badgers. This again has had to be done under a licence, issued by Natural England and coordinated by PAA. The general rule is that for any sett that falls within 30m of a development, measures have to be taken to safeguard them. This involves either putting up temporary fencing to prevent machines moving close to the setts or closing setts that fall directly on the road line. Closure of setts has to be coordinated very carefully, ensuring that no animals are trapped and there are alternative unused setts close by for badgers to occupy. All of this work is overseen by an ecologist named on the licence. Bats have been addressed by licensed bat workers, who have supervised the felling of trees with any bat potential. There is further work prescribed for bridges that require construction work. Breeding birds have been considered whereever any vegetation has been removed. All birds are protected, particularly during the breeding bird season between March and September inclusive. Ideally, removal of vegetation should take place in winter, although due to time constraints and aspirations of developers this is not always possible. For Rugby some hedgerows were to be removed during the breeding bird season so we ensured that an ecologist was on site at all times during hedgerow removal. This involved a detailed inspection of vegetation prior to removal. Water Vole and Otter have been surveyed for recently because of recent sightings of these species from the Environmental Agency. We carried out the survey to determine impacts on these species in relation to a proposed a road bridge spanning the River Avon. Limited evidence was found of either species but precautionary measures will be taken to prevent future mortality. This includes a mammal pass under the bridge and an otter proof fence along the road. During the construction phase it is proposed that there will be extensive badger proof fencing to prevent badger mortality and a series of culverts passing under the road have been designed. There are also culverts along streams which will enable amphibian migration. An area is also being designed specifically for wildlife. This includes pond creation and species rich grassland. In all cases the work has been carried out to safeguard species because they are protected by law. The Toolbox Talk provided an opportunity to brief contractors as to how to adhere to best ecological practice on site. This has been very useful in promoting appreciation of wildlife and ensures no work is undertaken that is threatening to the above species. The Toolbox Talk Presentation (PDF - 923 KB) and the How to Recognise Important Species Poster (PDF - 1.7 MB) can be downloaded. To view the documents on this page you will need free Adobe Reader.		Otters can sometimes be confused with mink The male Great Crested Newt has a white stripe on its tail You are more likely to see a badger sett than a badger Trees with bat potential were identified Water Voles can sometimes be confused with brown rats How to recognise important species poster