When the plug was pulled in summer 2010 on funding for the planned renewal works on the A338 Spur Road near Bournemouth, the associated ecological works ground to a halt. And as the future of the project lies in limbo, this often raises questions.
As CGO Ecology is often asked about this project, by professionals and members of the public alike, we feel that we should clarify a few matters.
Q: How is CGO Ecology Ltd involved with the A338 work?
A: Dorset County Council (DCC) employed CGO Ecology Ltd in 2009 and 2010 to help discharge their wildlife conservation duties in relation to the A338 rebuilding scheme. We surveyed the verges for reptiles, and carried out capture work. Temporary destruction of the road verges would mean thousands of reptiles being avoidably killed. Hence a capture and exclusion exercise was necessary.
Q: Did you finish the job?
A: No. We had been fairly well advanced in catching and translocating protected reptiles from the roadside verges by the end of spring 2010, despite difficulties with the exclusion fence location, but by the end of June 2010, work was called off. Hence, we stopped work before all reptiles were captured. Many reptiles still remain on the verges, and they will have bred and multiplied since then.
Q: Who is responsible for the fence?
A: CGO Ecology was not involved in erecting or maintaining the reptile exclusion fence along the A338 verges. This was installed by DCC, as a temporary measure. It has now exceeded its anticipated life, and unsurprisingly, as it becomes more ragged, more people ask about it.
Q: What caused the traffic disruption?
A: The traffic disruption that occurred in winter 2009/2010 was related mainly to the felling of trees and scrub removal on the verges, and not to do with reptile capture exercise. Installation of the reptile fence by DCC was hampered by bad weather, and contributed to the disruption too.
Q: How long will the reptile fence stay there?
A: As far as CGO Ecology is aware, there are no plans to remove the derelict reptile exclusion fencing. We are not involved in its maintenance or management.
Q: Wasn't a licence required for its installation?
A: A Natural England EPS mitigation licence was obtained for the reptile fence, but upon its expiry, it was agreed that it would not cause a legal offence if the fence were left in place. Moreover, given the difficulties of installation, concerns were raised about the disproportionate amount of habitat damage that would be caused by removal.
Q: Why is it in such poor condition?
A: The fence is of a specification that is not designed to be in place longer than one year. We appreciate that it is something of an eyesore, but emphasise that it is not causing a significant impact on protected reptiles. And to reiterate, CGO Ecology did not install this fence.
Q: What is the fence along the Avon Common stretch?
A: A semi-permanent reptile exclusion fence is in place adjacent to an 800m southbound stretch of A338 verge, and can be seen through the thin tree screen. This relates to the Tarmac quarry at Avon Common (currently mothballed). The fence has a ten-year specification, and is still functional and in good condition. It is not related to the A338 works.
