Tunnelling underground space MSc Tunnelling & Underground Space Ecology and archaeology

tunnelling underground space

MSc Tunnelling & Underground Space

Ecology and archaeology

tunnelling underground spacetunnelling underground space

Contents1. Ecology

2. Archaeology


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!)


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


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


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


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

www.billybadger.com


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

www.treecoalition.org


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


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


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


Recommended survey times - excerpt

CIRIA C692 2010


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


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

www.gardenwildlife.co.uk


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!


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


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.


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)


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


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


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)


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


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

www.monuments.ws


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


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)


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

• http://www.alderleyedge.com/news/article/3940/ancient-gold-bars-found-at-construction-site

http://www.alderleyedge.com/news/article/3940/ancient-gold-bars-found-at-construction-site




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‘. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Knotweed_CoP.pdf

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/Knotweed_CoP.pdf




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Tunnelling underground space MSc Tunnelling & Underground Space Ecology and archaeology