How do you build a road Episode 7 Looking after the Wildlife and Environment

On the A417 project, Kier Group Senior Ecologist Natasha James and her team have been working to ensure wildlife is protected, trees planted and the whole project delivers not just a much needed new road, but maximises biodiversity and conservation of the surrounding area. 

And part of that process is the construction of the Gloucestershire Way Crossing, a 37m bridge over the A417, which will be the largest bridge of its kind for wildlife and people. 

It was next to the bridge where Peter Haddock met Natasha to learn about the teams award winning work. 

Natasha: “Before the project started, we conducted reptile translocations and put in mitigation for protected species, including over 2000 reptiles, 80 of which were Adders and a large population of Roman snails.”

“Adders are a hugely declining species in the UK, and this project gave us a unique opportunity to track their movements after translocation. As part of our work, we fitted radio tags to Adders gathering data on how they respond to being moved, which can inform best practices for future conservation efforts.”

Beyond reptile conservation, the team has also played a key role in habitat connectivity. 

Natasha: “This bridge behind us will have no vehicles on it at all. It will be planted with grassland and hedgerows, allowing wildlife to move safely across the landscape while also providing a pathway for walkers.”

The project’s ecological work has been widely recognised, earning the team a Green Apple Environmental Gold Award in the Environmental Best Practice in Building and Construction category. 

Natashia: “Winning gold for the Adder telemetry research was particularly special because it is such an innovative approach, especially as part of a construction project.”

Peter added: “For me, the A417 is more than just a road. It’s a landscape led initiative that is prioritising conservation alongside infrastructure. 

“Natasha and the team are leading the way in their approach and will continue their work until the project is complete, ensuring that both people and wildlife benefit from the development.”

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