Creating a Newt Pond Habitat – Transport for Greater Manchester
The creation of a newt pond in a field adjacent to Leigh Guided Busway as a safe habitat for newt species.
Transport for Greater Manchester commissioned Novus to create a newt pond adjacent to the Leigh Guided Busway, to serve as a safe-haven for the newt population in the local area.
Background to the project
The Leigh-Salford-Manchester Busway is a rapid transit scheme in Greater Manchester that provides transport between the former coalfield towns of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, and Ellenbrook and Manchester city centre. The scheme officially opened in 2016 and is promoted by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
The route follows parts of an old railway line and passes close to fields and areas of woodland that local wildlife call home.
Our long-time client, Transport for Greater Manchester, commissioned Novus to build a newt pond adjacent to the busway route. The purpose of which, was to help local ecologists in their efforts in protecting Great Crested Newts along the route.
What services did Novus provide?
To carry out this contract, Novus provided landscaping, excavating, and lining services.
Using plant digging machines, our team excavated an area of a field adjacent to the Busway route to form a pond that was approximately 40 metre circumference and a 3 metre depth. We then fitted an Enviroseal liner to the new pond.
What makes this project stand out?
This project is quite out of the ordinary in terms of the work streams that Novus is usually commissioned to complete. It demonstrates our team\’s versatility and commitment to accommodating the requirements of our clients.
Additionally, the project was unusual owing to the need for our teams to liaise with an ecologist on a daily basis, in order to meet all the requirements of providing a suitable natural habitat for the local newt population.
This was an enjoyable project to be a part of and we were pleased to complete it within agreed timescales and on-budget.
After successfully bidding for the work, Novus were able to mobilise in a challenging timeframe to construct a newt pond which has enhanced the newt habitat in the local area of the Leigh Guided Busway.
During construction, Novus were very adaptable and able work within the stringent limits and constraints set TfGM’s on site ecologist to protect the ecology of the site during construction. In summary the project was delivered providing a new habitat within programme and cost, and to satisfaction of the client.
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