Environmental surveys will be carried out along the East West Rail route this Autumn as the East West Railway Company (EWR Co) gathers information that will assist it as the team continues to develop its preliminary scheme design for the new railway connection between Oxford and Cambridge.
The environmental surveys will help identify opportunities for biodiversity net gain and build intelligence about the environmental benefits and impacts of different proposals as part of the company’s commitment to protect and enhance the local environment.
As we carry out this work, people living and working along the East West Rail route might see our teams of surveyors out and about. Some of the things we are doing include monitoring water bodies for birds and other wildlife or using the latest technology to detect potential buried archaeology in fields, for example Roman or Iron Age archaeological sites. We will be monitoring level crossings and public rights of way to see how they are used, and climbing trees to complete this season’s bat surveys. This work is a continuation of surveys that started last year.
Michael Shanks, Head of Environment at EWR Co said:
“Our survey teams will be gathering critical information on a number of areas, including species, landscapes and rights of way, so that we can bring this vital new rail link to local communities in a way that identifies impacts on, protects and enhances their local environment. It’s an important stage in our environmental work, with this information providing the baseline information and evidence to allow us to undertake an environmental impact assessment and deliver on our environmental principles and commitments.”
Most surveys take place on weekdays between 8am-6pm, although some ecology surveys need to take place during the night, dawn or dusk; and traffic and non-motorised user surveys may include equipment being installed overnight. Any data collected which involve the movement of vehicles or people is anonymised.
If communities have any questions, they can contact EWR Co at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk.
-ENDS
Notes to editors
Surveys underway this Autumn include:
- Archaeological surveys: Our non-intrusive surveys so far have revealed what we expected, that there is a need for further investigation in particular places where the area is rich in archaeology. This could include ‘trail trenching’ – a method that helps us to understand what’s beneath the surface.
- Landscape surveys: Teams will be taking photographs at key viewpoints along the route, to help understand how we can protect the local landscape and to be able to present accurate visualisations of the railway as we continue our design work.
- Traffic and non-motorised user surveys: Ranging from people with clipboards or cameras installed on lamp posts, these surveys are designed to understand how level crossings and public rights of way are used by people and vehicles. This work will help EWR Co keep communities connected in the best way possible as the project progresses.
- Ecology surveys: in addition to bat surveys we’re also collecting information for a range of species and habitats, from ponds to badgers, and from breeding birds to crayfish. We’ll also be monitoring the biodiversity value of water bodies such as ponds and rivers. This will generally be undertaken by small teams of surveyors from the water’s edge – but sometimes surveyors might need to use a boat for further investigating.
- Air quality: We are currently preparing to begin monitoring of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) levels across the route option area. This will help us to establish the air quality effect of the railway and consists of the use of ‘diffusion tubes’, which are small test tube like containers, attached to lamp posts.
- Farm Business Interviews: while not necessarily visible to members of the public, we will be chatting to landowners about their farm operations so we can understand critical aspects of their business and how we best minimise and mitigate impacts on this.
- Bats: While the main season for surveying bats is now drawing to a close, there is still work continuing during the day and at dusk to monitor these animals, including tree climbing assessments, thermal imaging and specialist tracking with experienced ecologists.
- Our survey teams are a friendly bunch, and if they’re approached by local communities, they’re happy to let people know they’re surveying for East West Railway Company. Because of the sensitivity of some surveys, including species and archaeology, surveyors may not be able to offer much in the way of detail – this is to protect species and habitats, as well as to safeguard the location of potential archaeological artefacts and remains.
- Rights of way and level crossings may be surveyed at different times to get a full picture, including during holidays and term time at schools.
About the East West Rail project
East West Rail will create a new direct connection between Oxford and Cambridge. Serving communities across the area, it will bring faster journey times and lower transport costs as well as easing pressure on local roads.
East West Rail is being delivered in three Connection Stages:
- Connection Stage One: Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes
- Connection Stage Two: Oxford to Bedford
- Connection Stage Three: Oxford to Cambridge
Network Rail was responsible for developing the first part of the East West Rail, connecting Oxford with Bicester, and is a partner in a construction alliance to deliver Connection Stage 1 of the project, where East West Railway Company (EWR Co) and Network Rail are acting as the Department for Transport’s joint sponsors.
EWR Co is now developing the route to enable services to run to Cambridge via Bedford and will be seeking statutory powers under the Planning Act 2008, following a period of extensive consultation.
About East West Railway Company
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was set up by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2018 to develop East West Rail, a railway with customers and communities at its core.
We have a mission to innovate and challenge the status-quo in the rail and construction industries, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery, and a great experience for passengers and the communities we serve. Our vision is delivery of a safe and secure railway that is better for the customer; cheaper for the taxpayer; delivered quicker than before and is greener for the environment.
Our distinctive outlook and commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and local communities runs through everything we do and every decision we make.
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