South Yorkshire environmental firm wins five-year Network Rail contract

Sheffield-based environmental consultancy Ecus Ltd has been contracted by Network Rail to provide UK-wide ecological advice.

As part of the five year deal, Ecus will provide expert and impartial guidance to Network Rail, the authority responsible for the maintenance and development of the UK railway network, including tracks, signalling, bridges, tunnels, level crossings and viaducts.

Chris John, technical director for Ecology at Ecus, said: “We’ve previously worked on many similar infrastructure projects including rail, canals and highways, and we are looking forward to expanding our skills and experience in the rail sector.

“Our remit is to provide independent and impartial assessments and advice including on-site support and mitigation solutions, which can range from licensed bat workers climbing trees and installing bat boxes for vegetation management works or checking embankments for protected species such as badgers.

“Our first job through the Network Rail framework was undertaking an ecological survey and site supervision in relation to vegetation management works needed to maintain the tracks in a safe condition. This involved using our specialised trained staff to undertake tree climbing inspections for bats.

“We have also undertaken surveys for red squirrel and breeding birds as well as scoping studies for numerous sites.”

Ecus, founded in Sheffield in 1986, is a multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy that employs more than 50 staff with offices across the UK including Basingstoke, Cheltenham, Manchester and Stirling.

Chris added: “Our centrally located headquarters and growing number of satellite offices give us full geographical coverage in the UK, which enables us to provide support to the entire railway network, and we are also currently looking to expand our team in the South East.”