Member Article

Thomson Habitats wins contract with East West Rail

Leading UK ecology contractor, Thomson Habitats, has been retained for the latest phase of the East West Rail contract which involves vegetation and site clearance on part of the mothballed site between Bicester and Aylesbury. Thomson Habitats’ latest contract is through J. Murphy & Sons Limited and is likely to last up to eight weeks.

East West Rail is a major project to establish a strategic railway connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern and Western England. The scheme will re-introduce passenger and freight services between Bedford and Oxford, and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, and includes bringing back into service over 50 miles of disused track between Oxford and Bedford.

Both Thomson Ecology and its sister company, Thomson Habitats, have been working on the East West rail project for the last two years. Thomson Ecology was initially commissioned by Network Rail to provide a strategic review of previous ecological studies in the area and then to conduct a full suite of up-to-date surveys along the route for bats, great crested newts, dormice and reptiles. Following these, and the need to undertake a detailed topographical assessment of the site, Thomson Habitats undertook “cess to cess” vegetation clearance works covering the area either side of the railway off the ballast shoulder.

Dan Thomas from Thomson Habitats said: “We have been involved in the East West Rail project now for two years and it has been a great scheme for us to work on. It has enabled us to demonstrate our turnkey approach to large scale infrastructure projects. By combining our contracting and technical knowledge, we have been able to provide added value to our client, and ensure that they are getting the best value for their money. The use of our bespoke interactive mapping system has proved to be a big hit with our customers. Our mapping system provides clients with easily accessible information, and enables them to make clear, concise decisions. “

The clearance works were undertaken to a tight programme due to the restrictions of the breeding bird season and other associated ecological constraints. The latest GRIP stage involves more detailed surveys and the installation of temporary drainage infrastructure by J. Murphy & Sons Limited. In order to facilitate these works, extensive vegetation clearance is required along a 10 mile section.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Thomson Ecology .