East West Rail Company launches environmental surveys for £5bn railway line
Published: 06:00, 15 September 2021
East West Rail Company (EWR Co) is carrying out environmental surveys along the route area over the autumn.
The work will inform the preliminary scheme design for the new £5billion Oxford to Cambridge railway link.
East West Rail Company's proposals for the approach to Cambridge. Map: East West Rail Company
The company said it would "identify opportunities for biodiversity net gain" while increasing their knowledge of the impacts of the proposals.
Surveyors will be monitoring water for birds and other wildlife and using technology to detect matters of archaeological importance such as Roman or Iron Age archaeological sites.
The company will also be monitoring level crossings and public rights of way to see how they are used, and climbing trees to complete this season's bat surveys.
The work follows the start of surveys last year.
Michael Shanks, head of environment at EWR Co, said: "Our survey teams will be gathering critical information on a number of areas, including species, landscapes and rights of way, so that we can bring this vital new rail link to local communities in a way that identifies impacts on, protects and enhances their local environment. It's an important stage in our environmental work, with this information providing the baseline information and evidence to allow us to undertake an environmental impact assessment and deliver on our environmental principles and commitments."
The railway line is due to be completed by the end of the decade.
The company said most surveys will take place on weekdays between 8am and 6pm, although some ecological surveys need to take place during the night, dawn or dusk.
Traffic and non-motorised user surveys may include equipment being installed overnight.
The company stressed that any data collected which involves the movement of vehicles or people will be anonymised.
Anyone with questions can contact EWR Co at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk.
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Cambridge East West Rail Environment South Cambridgeshire Paul Brackley