Background
The project involved maintaining new ecological mitigation areas along HS2’s proposed route. Southern Ecological Solutions (SES) worked with EKFB (HS2), using its ecological site mitigation plans. Our team conducted supplementary ecological surveys to confirm the plan’s accuracy and to ensure compliance with local wildlife legislation. We conducted the maintenance of grasses and wild flower meadows, ponds and woodland habitats, while following the established plan. We advised on selecting and planting trees suitable for the local environment and developed a long-term maintenance plan to ensure the project’s success. The project covered 20 mitigation sites and involved a team of 30+ ecologists, technicians, arborists, project managers and landscape designers working over one year.
The project’s complexities
The project required careful integration with the existing mitigation plans provided by EKFB. Our team ensured seamless collaboration and implemented the plans while conducting additional surveys to optimise habitat management for the site-specific conditions.
Results
The project resulted in establishing thriving ecological mitigation areas, exceeding the expectations outlined in the original plans. The diverse range of native plants and trees has significantly improved the biodiversity of the sites.