Environment

As part of the planning application for West East Link Pipeline, an Environmental Impact Assessment of the route was completed.  This included surveys for protected species and habitats such as badgers, bats, water voles and great crested newts.  Following contract award, Murphy took a further detailed look at the route and were able to minimise loss of habitats and trees through minor route adjustments.

Careful timing of our works is very important to minimise our environmental impact.  For example, tree and vegetation removal is usually carried out during autumn/winter to protect birds during the breeding season.  Construction work is mainly carried out in the summer, to take advantage of the long days and “good” weather!

Where we are working close to communities, our working hours are chosen to minimise disruption from construction noise and traffic.

There are some instances where we cross footpaths and walking routes.  In the interests of health and safety we must close these paths but only after gaining permission from the local authority.  Where possible an alternative route will be signed but if this is not evident then an alternative may not be available.  We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Looking to the future

Following construction we will be restoring the landscape.  In some cases this means we have an opportunity to improve on what was there before.  For example, final landscaping designs for Clifton Moss in Bolton and Springwater Park in Bury will be decided through discussions with the councils, taking into account what is most valuable to them.  In St Helens, we have agreed a landscape compensation scheme which will pay for community projects along the pipeline corridor, developed in partnership with the local council and The Mersey Forest.

Community

There are two locations along the route where the pipeline runs through a residential street.  Because of the scale of the project and the size of the working area it is expected that we will impact residents in these two streets by restricting parking and causing noise for long periods. 

In those areas that we are causing major disruption we are working with United Futures to consult and engage the local community.  United Futures is the name for a partnership between Groundwork and United Utilities which combines regeneration and community liaison expertise with United Utilities’ local presence and commitment to making a positive difference.

Over life of the project we will be working closely with Groundwork to deliver a suitable scheme.  This could be anything from community clean-up to public space improvements; we will work with communities to develop a sustainable, tailored project which enhances our work for the benefit of local people.