Specialist ecology consultants are carrying out surveys across all the sites we’ll be working on to identify wildlife that might be affected. This includes surveying for bats, nesting birds, great crested newts, reptiles and invertebrates to make sure all wildlife is protected according to environmental laws.
Ecologists check all areas of all sites before work starts to make sure any wildlife is suitably protected. During one of these checks, a skylark nest was discovered at the Peacehaven site, which meant we delayed works in that area to allow the skylark fledglings to fly the nest.
Below are details of what we’re doing at each site. To see exactly where the sites are located, take a look at the location map:
Marine Gate shaft, Portobello pumping station and Friars Bay shaft
Reptile-proofing has been carried out at these sites to make sure reptiles can’t get into the working area. This will be maintained for the duration of the works. Any reptiles in the working area will be collected over a four- week period and released into a safe area nearby.
The reptiles are collected using squares of roofing felt distributed throughout the works area. The reptiles are attracted to the warmth under the tiles and an ecologist visits the site twice a day, lifts the tiles and collects any reptiles underneath. These can then be released outside the works area.
Scrub and vegetation across the sites will gradually be reduced in height during the collection period, but before this an ecologist will check very carefully for birds’ nests. If any occupied nests are found then work will be delayed until the young birds have left the nest.
Peacehaven Wastewater Treatment Works
Foxes and rabbits have been identified nearby, so the site has been secured to prevent them burrowing into the working area while construction is taking place.
We have also made sure no great crested newts and reptiles can get through to the working area. As described above, any great crested newts and reptiles will be collected and released in a safe area nearby. This collection work is licensed and approved by Natural England and involves experienced ecologists.
