DP World London Gateway has contracted Thomson Environmental Consultants (Thomson) to undertake ecological monitoring surveys as part of its plan to ultimately develop a modern new port in the Thames estuary.
According to a statement, environmental compliance experts Thomson will examine the local aquatic habitat to ensure its continued survival.
In particular, it will monitor wildlife, such as reptiles, great crested and predatory fish in the ecological receptor sites which it installed when it first began working with DP World on the new development in 2008.
Credit: Thomson Environmental Consultants
The installation of Thomson’s receptor sites saw the building of 50 new ponds across 70 hectares of terrestrial habitat and the relocation of several thousand animals – the largest ecological mitigation project in Europe at the time.
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The ecological receptor sites have been monitored every year since their creation to ensure that the grassland, scrub and pond habitats provide optimal conditions and the translocated great crested newt and reptile populations thrive.
Paul Franklin, Project Principal for Thomson Environmental Consultants, said: “Having been involved in this large-scale UK infrastructure project from its infancy, I’m pleased Thomson are able to return this year to undertake follow up surveys and monitoring.
“To be able to go back and monitor the success of our mitigation strategy over these years is a great opportunity to assess our previous work and see how the site has developed.”
Tom Coulter, Environmental Advisor at DP World, had this to say: “Thomson have worked with us on the design of habitat compensation and protected species receptor sites for the London Gateway development and helped us in getting our mitigation licences from Natural England.
“It is great to have them on board for the habitat and population monitoring required under those licenses.”
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