tunnelling underground space MSc Tunnelling & Underground Space Ecology and archaeology

tunnelling underground space Contents 1.Ecology 2.Archaeology

tunnelling underground space Ecology, protected species and habitat ‘ecology’ is the collective term for all plants (flora) and animals (fauna), their interaction with each other and their dependence on the world around them ‘wildlife’ means all the animals (birds, fish, insects, mammals etc) ‘habitat’ is where the wildlife lives – it can be a riverbank, a hedgerow, someone’s garden, an area of woodland or a central reservation, or even a tunnel (e.g. bats!)

tunnelling underground space Protecting ecology identification of wildlife within a site should be undertaken at the planning stage surveys are carried out (at the correct time of year) protection measures are implemented (e.g. newt fences, relocation, avoidance) also important for public relations also important to prove to nature conservation bodies (e.g. Natural England) that you are taking care of the ecology, especially if in/near a designated ecological site or protected species

tunnelling underground space Potential impacts on ecology direct impacts on ecology at site level, eg pollution of a watercourse on site, removal of habitat, killing of individual flora or fauna indirect impacts occurring because of construction processes/activities, such as deforestation for timber materials, downstream water pollution of a habitat etc. –some impacts depend on season, e.g. mating, nesting or hibernating season

tunnelling underground space Managing potential impacts ensure construction activities cause the least damage to the natural environment opportunities should be taken where possible to enhance the natural environment through appropriate habitat creation and encouragement of biodiversity ecology is a specialised subject and every site is different, so employ an ecologist! liaise with conservation bodies and local environmental/ wildlife groups for advice identify and securely fence off sensitive habitats ensure areas of concern and licence/consent requirements are communicated to all site personnel

tunnelling underground space Legal requirements disturbing protected species or damaging their habitat can result in prosecution fines vary according to species, e.g. –bats, badgers or great crested newts: £5000 per animal –vehicles or equipment may be confiscated but worst consequences of this kind of prosecution are on corporate reputation and ability to win tenders – your boss won’t thank you for pretending the badgers aren’t there

tunnelling underground space Trees contract or planning conditions may state that certain trees must remain undamaged they may be the subject of a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), be within a conservation area or related to a former planning permission any works that may affect that tree will need Local Authority approval or you may be fined up to £20,000 replacing damaged mature trees is expensive watch out for the roots as well

tunnelling underground space Hedgerows hedgerows are protected by the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 the removal of any hedge longer than 20m requires permission if the hedge is shown to be significant in terms of its age, environmental or historical importance, then the planning authority can refuse such permission (after a six week determination period) and take further measures to protect the hedgerow tree and hedgerow removal should be done outside the nesting season since birds and their nests are protected

tunnelling underground space Monitoring adopt a programme of monitoring (usually by a professional ecologist) before, during and after construction through to site reinstatement ensure monitoring procedure includes actions to be taken in the event of problems monitoring may be required e.g. to ensure that bird nesting season is over so that demolition of a building can commence

tunnelling underground space Surveys Where survey techniques involve the capture, handling or disturbance of protected species then only licensed persons can undertake surveys. Personal survey and monitoring licences are obtained from Natural England. It may only be possible to do certain surveys at particular times of year. Ensure this is identified in the project programme to avoid this causing delays

tunnelling underground space Recommended survey times - excerpt CIRIA C

tunnelling underground space What if protected species are discovered after work has begun? stop work immediately seek expert advice on how to proceed conservation bodies (e.g. Natural England) may need to be consulted

tunnelling underground space Bats there are 17 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected habitat - holes and cracks in trees, in roofs and walls of buildings, under bridges, caves, disused railway tunnels hibernate between October and April and breed between May and September if likely to be encountered, survey by a licensed ecologist is required it is illegal to injure, kill, capture or disturb a bat, or to damage trees, buildings or other places used for roosting, even if the roost is unoccupied at the time

tunnelling underground space Badgers habitat - woodland, road and railway embankments, refuse tips, under buildings, hollow trees badgers and their setts protected by Protection of Badgers Act 1992 It is an offence to directly disturb a badger sett, or to carry out works close to a badger sett that could cause a disturbance, without a licence from the relevant nature conservation body (e.g. Natural England) or consent from Defra note that badger setts are protected, even if occupied by foxes!

tunnelling underground space Amphibians great crested newts and natterjack toads (extremely rare) are fully protected by law great crested newts are nocturnal and may be found in grass, scrub, woodland or under logs within 500m of a water body, and spawn in ponds between March and June

tunnelling underground space Nesting birds all birds (even feral pigeons) and their nests are protected under Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and amendments), with some rare species, eg Barn Owl, birds of prey and Kingfishers, carrying further protection against disturbance tree and hedge removal should be done outside the nesting season (March-July but depends on weather) Birds often use building sites as breeding areas including nesting on scaffolding or machinery. If this occurs the equipment cannot be used until the birds have finished nesting and any young have left the nest. Also, the area may need to be sealed off to prevent any disturbance.

tunnelling underground space Noxious and invasive plants according to Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, if found on site you must: –cordon off the area to prevent any inadvertent spreading –notify the environmental regulator that the plant is present –ensure any vehicles that have been in the affected area have their wheels/tracks thoroughly washed before leaving the area of the site where the plant is located. Water, including material, used to clean vehicles must be controlled to prevent the spread of the plant (through seeds etc)

tunnelling underground space Japanese Knotweed Japanese Knotweed is non-native, grows densely, shades out other plants, reduces biodiversity, and penetrates asphalt, walls, and foundations. It is a destructive plant that has been known to re-grow through tarmac and paving as well as disrupting underground structures and services. it is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to cause or allow it to spread it can be very expensive to eradicate it, as it can spread by rhizome or stem fragments Japanese Knotweed contaminated soil or plant material is ‘controlled waste’ and requires a permit under the Environmental Protection Act 1990

tunnelling underground space Other noxious/invasive plants giant hogweed has poisonous sap that can burn and irritate skin ragwort is poisonous to sheep, horses etc thistle shades out other plants and decreases biodiversity Himalayan balsam grows densely and shades out other plants, decreasing biodiversity

tunnelling underground space Designated sites area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) county wildlife sites (CWS) local nature reserve (LNR) national nature reserve (NNR) special area of conservation (SAC) special protection area (SPA) site of importance for nature conservation (SINC) site of nature conservation interest (SNCI) site of special scientific interest (SSSI) or area of special scientific interest (ASSI) RAMSAR (wetlands of international importance) regionally important geological sites (RIGS) world heritage sites (WHS)

tunnelling underground space Archaeology Archaeological remains and built heritage are an irreplaceable and valuable part of our national heritage and need to be preserved a professional archaeologist may need to be employed to assist in the planning process professional archaeologists may be employed to supervise protection of remains during construction works or to excavate and record remains that are to be destroyed, as a condition of the planning process

tunnelling underground space Site designations the most significant sites are scheduled ancient monuments - consult the heritage body (e.g. English Heritage) –consent is required from the Secretary of State for any works that affect it or its setting (even outside the scheduled area) many unscheduled sites are still very valuable – consult the Local Planning Authority archaeologist

tunnelling underground space Effects on archaeological remains usually the emphasis is on preserving remains, but if not feasible, sometimes they can be integrated into the new structure, or excavated and recorded monuments may be affected by vibration or settlement dewatering may cause deterioration of remains that otherwise were preserved when they were under the water table

tunnelling underground space Human remains The requirements regarding whether or not permission is required and the terms of any conditions and licences are complex, so advice from an accredited archaeologist is important if it is likely that burials will be encountered, or if human remains are found unexpectedly. CIRIA C692 (2010)

tunnelling underground space Treasure trove under the Treasure Act 1996 (for England, Wales and Northern Ireland), certain finds are treasure, including: –coins that are at least 300 years old –objects containing at least 10 per cent of gold or silver and at least 300 years old –any object that is found near to known treasure it is the obligation of the finder to report to the coroner for the district in which the treasure was found, and then an inquest will take place -gold-bars-found-at-construction-sitehttp:// -gold-bars-found-at-construction-site

tunnelling underground space References CIRIA (2010). Environmental good practice on site. CIRIA Report C692 (Audus, I., Charles, P. & Evans, S. eds). London: CIRIA. Environment Agency (2006). Knotweed Code of Practice 'Managing Japanese knotweed on Development Sites‘. agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Knotweed_CoP.pdfhttp:// agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Knotweed_CoP.pdf