Ecological Surveys for Greenway Developments

Biodiversity Survey of Abandoned Railway Corridor Between Comber and Donaghadee, County Down

Very few sections of disused railway in Northern Ireland are designated for their biodiversity value a notable exception is the Ulster Wildlife Reserve at Milford Cutting, Co. Armagh. On account of the potential biodiversity value of railway corridors, these railway corridors must be surveyed to identify biodiversity features of importance before they can be developed as walking and cycling trails or even brought back into service as heritage railways, so that these natural heritage features are not inadvertently damaged. The sensitive planning walking/cycling trails along abandoned railways provide safe habitats where wildlife can thrive and safe corridors for species which need to move from one habitat to another.

The development of greenways for walking and cycling has the potential to safeguard and encourage the beneficial use of local landscape resources; conserve historical landscapes, archaeological assets, and built, natural and cultural heritage.

The benefits to local communities of such Greenways include recreation opportunities, outdoor classrooms for heritage education and promotion of rural economic development in the tourism sector.

Abandoned railways for example, can be unusually rich in biodiversity, supporting rare or endangered habitats and species. The development of such railways into greenways must be sensitively constructed and managed to preserve their rich biodiversity not to mention their industrial heritage features (e.g. bridges, stations and signal boxes).

Aulino Wann & Associates offer a complete greenway development service from the initial ecological survey of the route, through to the final design and route selection and post construction aftercare.

We have the technical expertise to carry out the initial baseline biodiversity survey along the potential greenway route to ensure that important ecological features (e.g. badger setts, otter holts, bat roosts) are not adversely affected during the construction phase of such developments in line with the latest nature conservation legislation and policies. On the basis of the particular sensitive ecological receptors present we can recommend best practice mitigation on how to protect these ecological features during the construction phase of the greenway.

Our services include:

• Pre-construction habitat and species surveys, ecological impact assessment and mitigation and associated digitized GIS mapping utilizing the most up to date survey methodologies and technologies;
• Habitat creation and management along and adjacent to the greenway;
• Production of built and natural heritage interpretative materials;
• Community engagement and consultation;
• Engineering design standards;
• Geotechnical and structural surveys
• Route selection
• Materials and services (drainage, lighting, signage and access controls)
• Construction processes (site clearance, project management, machinery)
• Greenway maintenance contracts;
• Access agreements
• Post-construction habitat monitoring and evaluation
• Visitor use surveys