A new habitat the size of ten football pitches has been specially created for use by wildlife as part of a major construction project.
Transport Scotlands project to build the new Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine is currently being constructed by contractor Morgan VINCI in the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA) - an area of international importance for rare and vulnerable species of migratory and overwintering birds.
Last week, Morgan VINCI completed work on creating a new habitat area which over a period of time will provide new feeding, roosting and nesting grounds for protected bird species such as Dunlin and Redshanks at the site of the new crossing.
The construction of the new bridge affected a small area of approximately 0.8 hectares of special habitat. As part of the compensation for this, around 8 hectares of new habitat is being created at Kennet Pans.
To do this the seawall was redesigned to provide a new inter-tidal habitat and an island created to provide a new terrestrial habitat for breeding and roosting birds. This new island will also provide the birds with more protection from predators such as foxes and mink.
Construction of the 1.2 km bridge is being carried out with protection of wildlife a key element to the design. With birds living in the sensitive habitats on the south bank of the estuary, the entire bridge deck is being constructed on the north side with each section of the bridge deck then pushed across the estuary to avoid disturbing the wildlife resulting in one of the longest deck launches in the world.
Steven Brown, Transport Scotland Project Manager said:
"Respect for the environment has been a key issue at all times in delivering this much-needed bridge.
"I am pleased at the success so far - in not only minimising disturbance to the wildlife - but that we have been able to increase and improve the habitat which I hope will attract many more migrating birds to the area in the years to come."
Mark Ruskell, Marine Policy Officer for Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland said:
"Our coastal habitats are shrinking, but they are desperately needed to protect us from wave and storm damage caused by climate change, while providing a home to some of our most important wildlife. Allowing nature to re-establish mudflats and saltmarshes creates a buffer between the sea and the land that not only protects wildlife, but can save taxpayers money otherwise spent trying to maintain the old and ineffective flood defences.
"RSPB Scotland has identified over 60 sites in Scotland where investment in our coasts in this way could help meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, so we're hopeful that this kind of project will be repeated around the country."
John Osborne, Morgan VINCI Project Director said:
"This project demonstrates how new construction and environmental enhancements can indeed go hand in hand. We appreciate the close support we have received from Scottish Natural Heritage and other ecology specialists in our planning and delivery of the reclamation work undertaken."
Protecting the environment and minimising the impact of the Scottish trunk road network is an important priority for Transport Scotland. The planning of all construction work takes into consideration the surrounding environment and wildlife and the new Upper Forth Crossing was designed to minimise the disturbance to the protected saltmarsh and mudflats as much as possible.
The £120m crossing at Kincardine is an essential project for the communities and businesses in the Fife, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Council areas. It will deliver a number of benefits for local residents which include better air quality and a reduction in noise pollution as well as improving road safety. The scheme will also provide wider economic benefits such as reducing congestion and enabling the existing Kincardine Bridge to be refurbished.
The Upper Forth Crossing is due for completion in November 2008.
