RC115 NovDec 2024 - Magazine - Page 10
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
ALL THE
WORLD’S
A STAGE
Canadian builders
go international
ENGLAND, U.K.
MARCHES MOSSES
BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION and restoration has become an
important part of infrastructure development around the
world. As we grow the volume of our built assets, there
is a need to take environmental considerations in hand,
including carbon sequestration and emissions reduction.
At the same time, there is a realization that the preservation and rehabilitation of natural assets must be a
priority for project development.
In North Shropshire, along the Wales/England
border southwest of Whitchurch, lies the Marches
Mosses. These 2,500 acres of lowland-raised peat bog
represents one of the world’s rarest habitats, which
prevents and mitigates the effects of climate change.
Acting like a giant sponge, these ‘mires’ slow the flow of
water from hills, as well as storing twice as much carbon, acre-for-acre, than woodland. However, around 96
per cent of the world’s peat bogs have been destroyed
through peat cutting, agriculture and drainage.
Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and
Shropshire Wildlife Trust are behind the Marches Mosses BogLIFE Project which aims to revive this important
peatland. WSP, working with partners WM Longreach
and RAB Consultants, were asked to manage two projects to improve hydrology (water management) within
two highly sensitive parts of the March Mosses. Both are
part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a
Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
WSP’s role involved its specialist water engineers
managing the sites and contractors, ensuring a collab-
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RENEW CANADA – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
orative approach that delivered value. Responsible for
worker and public health, safety, and welfare during the
projects, WSP also needed to ensure that restoration
work did not adversely affect neighbouring agricultural
land or increase flood risk to properties in the area.
WSP’s work around the northern edge of Fenn’s Moss
centered on diverting a major watercourse carrying
unsuitable enriched water, called the Bronington Manor
Drain, to enable peatland in this area to be restored.
Works were successfully completed in this fourmonth project despite the wettest winter in 30 years
with 400 metres culverted and 1 kilometre of open
channel works. Specialist equipment—low ground pressure long reach machines which run on bio-oil—minimized impact on the soft ground of the SSSI/SAC area.
Throughout these works, WSP sought to minimize any
impact on the fragile peatbog landscape and the wildlife
it hosts, while also managing existing drainage systems,
including exclusion zones around badger setts and measures taken to ensure the protection of water courses.
Bridleways and footpaths crossing the site required
respectful dialogue with the public and client to ensure
safe passage throughout the duration of the works.
The Mosses now have a more naturally functioning
water management, which will enable their delicate
ecosystem to regenerate. In turn this means the bog
is more resilient with its amazing store of carbon
safeguarded and it is able to play its role in flood risk
reduction.
RENEWCANADA.NET
