Enabling works ahead of the construction of the Main Onshore Pipeline (the Pipeline) are progressing this week as our construction contractor, United Infrastructure (UI), begin fencing the route that the Pipeline will follow. As part of this, communities may see a variety of operations taking place to prepare the land for construction including the removal of vegetation and hedgerows, the management of Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) and the installation of site drainage to manage potential surface water.
Fencing
UI have started installing temporary fences to clearly mark the route of the Pipeline and the construction corridor. Fencing will be installed along the route of the 36” Pipeline to ensure the safety and security of the operatives on site and members of the public.
Figure 1 Indicative image of a temporary fence to mark out the route of the pipeline
Managing Public Rights of Way
To safely deliver the Main Onshore Pipeline, UI will need to manage PRoW for the duration of the construction period. PRoW will be managed either as temporary:
The measures to manage each PRoW are set out in a Public Rights of Way Management Plan which was approved as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO). This plan can be viewed here and includes:
Surface water drainage
Alongside fencing, surface water drainage systems will be installed to help manage water flow within the construction corridor. The temporary drainage systems will help to manage flood risk and prevent sediment runoff from entering nearby watercourses. All works will follow recognised environmental standards to ensure water quality is protected and site drainage is managed throughout the construction of the Pipeline.
The surface water drainage systems are consented and regulated by the Environment Agency, the Local Authorities (Cheshire West and Chester Council and Flintshire County Council) and Natural Resources Wales.
Vegetation and hedgerow clearance
As part of the work to prepare for the construction of the Pipeline, UI will need to clear some vegetation and hedges, as well as trim some trees along traffic routes and access points. This is to improve road safety and visibility for all road users including construction traffic.
All vegetation, hedgerows and trees works have been assessed as part of the Construction Environmental Management Plan that forms part of the DCO. Any management that is required for ecology or safety mitigations will be overseen by a third-party Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) who will monitor the ecological conditions during clearance works. The ECoW will also monitor the implementation of mitigation measures and ensure all site personnel are working appropriately.
Once construction is complete, hedges and trees will be replaced or replanted in situ, returning the land as closely as possible to its original condition.
More information about our approach to Environmental Management can be found here. Further information on our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) obligations will be shared soon.
Fencing
UI have started installing temporary fences to clearly mark the route of the Pipeline and the construction corridor. Fencing will be installed along the route of the 36” Pipeline to ensure the safety and security of the operatives on site and members of the public.
Figure 1 Indicative image of a temporary fence to mark out the route of the pipeline
Managing Public Rights of Way
To safely deliver the Main Onshore Pipeline, UI will need to manage PRoW for the duration of the construction period. PRoW will be managed either as temporary:
- closure with diversions or;
- closure without diversion
The measures to manage each PRoW are set out in a Public Rights of Way Management Plan which was approved as part of the Development Consent Order (DCO). This plan can be viewed here and includes:
- Maps showing where access will be managed
- How long each closure will last
- Route diversions and signage
- Details of gates, stiles or other features to be removed and reinstated
- Standards for restoring PRoWs after work is complete
Surface water drainage
Alongside fencing, surface water drainage systems will be installed to help manage water flow within the construction corridor. The temporary drainage systems will help to manage flood risk and prevent sediment runoff from entering nearby watercourses. All works will follow recognised environmental standards to ensure water quality is protected and site drainage is managed throughout the construction of the Pipeline.
The surface water drainage systems are consented and regulated by the Environment Agency, the Local Authorities (Cheshire West and Chester Council and Flintshire County Council) and Natural Resources Wales.
Vegetation and hedgerow clearance
As part of the work to prepare for the construction of the Pipeline, UI will need to clear some vegetation and hedges, as well as trim some trees along traffic routes and access points. This is to improve road safety and visibility for all road users including construction traffic.
All vegetation, hedgerows and trees works have been assessed as part of the Construction Environmental Management Plan that forms part of the DCO. Any management that is required for ecology or safety mitigations will be overseen by a third-party Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) who will monitor the ecological conditions during clearance works. The ECoW will also monitor the implementation of mitigation measures and ensure all site personnel are working appropriately.
Once construction is complete, hedges and trees will be replaced or replanted in situ, returning the land as closely as possible to its original condition.
More information about our approach to Environmental Management can be found here. Further information on our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) obligations will be shared soon.