Funding to bring ecological improvements to the Cornish landscape

A National Highways-funded green initiative to protect and enhance biodiversity along the A30 in Cornwall has just been completed.

As part of its Designated Funding Programme, National Highways has awarded Cornwall Wildlife Trust £1.02 million to restore and recreate 15.5 hectares of woodland, orchard, grassland and pasture from around Ladock to Gwills and Benhaven to at Lambourne Mill, north of Truro.

As part of the environmental initiative, a total of 15,000 trees have been planted across the Mid-Cornwall landscape, including species such as Scots Pine, Oak, Lime, Chestnut, Sycamore and Black Hog near Idless Woods in the Upper Truro Basin.

The company joined partners Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Council and the Environment Agency to celebrate the completion of the Green Ribs projects.

The Environment Agency has also provided £50,000 from the Water Environment Investment Fund for the initiative, along with £50,000 from the Shared Prosperity Fund – administered by Cornwall Council, which will help tackle the county’s biodiversity decline by : creation and improvement of wildlife habitat areas; improving the quality, condition and connectivity of Cornwall’s landscape features; mitigating the severing impact of the A30 by creating stronger habitat connections, safely channeling wildlife away from the road.

National Highways project manager Jess Dudley said: “We are delighted to see our funding delivering these environmental projects, which will bring long-lasting benefits to Cornwall.

“Only roadsides and nearby land and wetlands are home to a diverse range of plants, animals and natural habitats, and through both our work and funding we are committed to reversing biodiversity loss, helping wildlife to thrive and building ecological resilience for a changing climate.

“Working with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Cornwall Council and local landowners, we are really proud of the work being done to protect and improve the ecology and environment around the mid-Cornwall landscape. The support of the local owners involved in the project has been fantastic and without them this would not be possible.

“The initiative will deliver a real biodiversity benefit and is a shining example of how our funding and collaboration can improve the lives of communities, wildlife and the environment around our roads.”

The completion of the Green Ribs works builds on previous design and construction work from the first road investment, particularly between Benny Mill and Boswiddle, and includes a robust aftercare programme.

The first phase of the work achieved recognition from CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) with a best practice award for stakeholder engagement.

Cornwall Council and Natural England jointly funded the initial engineering work ahead of the National Highways investment, and the council also led the development to align with nature restoration, climate resilience and Forest for Cornwall ambitions.

The final phase of the program included the planting of species-rich grasslands and trees, along with wetlands, pond and wetland restoration and boundary works.

Tom Shelley, Conservation Manager for Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said: “It is great to mark the completion of the Green Ribs project and the investment in Cornwall’s landscape will help to increase habitats and protect existing nature networks.

“This helps restore biodiversity and also allows neighboring landowners to have a combined positive impact in the long term. This is a key part of the Trust’s strategic plan for at least 30% of Cornwall’s land and sea to be connected, reclaimed and protected for nature by 2030.”

The scheme near the A30 Chiverton to Carland Cross has also been designed to protect the environment and, as part of the construction, a total of 33 multi-species crossings, including a ‘green bridge’ at Marazanvose, of the third of their kind in the country, they are built to aid the habitats and journeys of animals such as otters, badgers, bats and reptiles.

The scheme will also have over 28 miles of new drainage to protect the local area and waterways, new filtration ponds, planting of native trees, creation of new landscape boundaries and construction of earth barriers and sound-absorbing fencing.

National Highways manages four funds designated to deliver benefits beyond the building, maintenance and operation of England’s strategic roads.

From protecting the environment and improving the landscape around roads, to improving safety, reducing congestion and supporting communities, the aim is to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

Coinciding with United Nations Biodiversity Day on 22 May, National Highways is marking Nature Week, highlighting the nature-focused work it and its partners are doing across the country.

National Highways says it is on track to meet its 2020 commitment to halt biodiversity decline and achieve no net loss of biodiversity in its operations by 2025.

Over the next five years, it will make a further move to become nature positive, delivering at least a 10% net gain in biodiversity for its major projects and moving towards a position of no net loss for soft property between 2025 and 2030.