Several residents have contacted Katrina,
concerned about Highways England’s preparatory work in advance of the M27
upgrade works.
They intend to carry out vegetation
clearance along the scheme during the first two weeks of April.
Residents are concerned that vegetation
removal should not be taking place after the end of March, during the bird
nesting season.
I have already made my views known to Highways England and hope that you can do
so too. If you agree, why not also contact them, upping the pressure to halt
this work during the bird nesting season:
Sent: Monday, April 1, 2019
13:34
To:
Trott, Cllr. Mrs K
Subject:
Highways England response – Vegetation works impact on wildlife – Ref 19043452
Dear
Councillor Trott
Thank you for your email dated 1 April
2019, within which you raise your concerns relating to vegetation clearance
works and the effects this may have on nesting birds.
I
have investigated your query and discussed this issue with the environmental
manager for the M27 smart motorway scheme. She has given the assurance that
these vegetation clearances aren’t in breach of the Wildlife and Countryside
Act (WCA), and that every measure is taken to ensure the safety of local
wildlife.
Although it is best to avoid
vegetation clearances around the nesting season, these are works that need to
be undertaken. To eliminate the possibility of nests being destroyed, we
have an Ecologist on site for the entirety of the clearance works.
The
Ecologist is on site to perform hand checks, and to put exclusion zones in
place should we find any birds or nests.
I hope I have sufficiently answered
your query, however if you require any further information please do not
hesitate to contact us again on the contact details below
Kind
regards
Peter
Hutchinson Smart Motorways Business Administrator
Highways
England | 2 Colmore Square | Birmingham | B4 6BN
Tel: 0300
123 5000 (Customer Contact Centre)
E-mail: m27j4-11Smartmotorway@highwaysengland.co.uk
Web: www.highwaysengland.co.uk.