Works are being undertaken in April to prepare for the upgrade of Mere Way for cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians. While the detailed design of the scheme is still being finalised, these works are being carried out ahead of final confirmation, and on the advice of the ecology team, to ensure that we minimise the impact on bird nesting season. The work is being carried out with the agreement of Cambridgeshire County Council, under a separate Section 278 agreement.
An ecologist will be present at all times during the work to ensure the impact to habitats and species is minimised and there are no consequences for nesting birds.
The route design has been adapted to ensure as many trees and hedgerows, and the most nature-rich habitats are retained, wherever possible, but some maintenance work and cutting back is needed in key areas to ensure the widening required to accommodate all users is possible.
Caroline Foster, from Urban&Civic, added:
“We have been working hard with our ecology team to understand the best way of carrying out this work, and while we always seek to avoid any activity in bird nesting season, we have worked with them to ensure this work happens in a way that minimises impact. This is the key reason we are carrying this work out early, and why we have not only conducted a number of surveys over the last few weeks, but also will have an ecologist on site at all times during the work, to ensure there is no danger to nesting birds. We hope that in doing this work quickly and carefully, we will ensure the area is then able to support all of the spring and summer activity of the species who use this corridor, and create new habitats alongside the upgrade work to create the new route.”
In doing this work quickly and carefully, we will ensure the area is able to support all of the spring and summer activity of the species who use this corridor.
