County Council is a Green Hero
DEVON County Council has been awarded another prestigious environmental accolade for its work on the Barnstaple Western Bypass.
The County Council has been named a National Green Hero by the Green Organisation, and it will collect the award at a presentation ceremony at the Tower of London on Monday 2 June.
This latest honour follows hot on the heels of the Gold Award in the “Building and Construction” category of the 2007 Green Apple Awards because of its outstanding commitment to the environment and sustainable development.
As a Green Hero, Devon’s paper on the £42 million scheme is now featured in the Green Book, a reference on environmental best practice distributed internationally to environmental professionals.
Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council Executive Member for Environment, said:
“This scheme has been a massive undertaking for the County Council but the achievement of becoming a National Green Hero will be particularly pleasing for everyone who has worked on this project over many, many years. I was lucky enough to see first hand during construction how much preparation and care went into preserving and restoring wildlife habitats, so I know just how well deserved this latest award is.”
Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade, said:
“It’s marvellous to think that our commitment to make Devon even greener will not only help our county, but it can now also help others make a difference. There's no doubt that the Western Bypass is already helping our environment with reduced congestion and improved sustainable transport links, so it’s satisfying that those achievements are recognised.”
Devon County Council Vice Chairman and County Councillor for Barnstaple South, Chris Haywood, said:
“We’re just coming up to a year since the Western Bypass was opened, but even in that short time it has provided huge benefits. The success we have had from these environmental awards reflects the work that has gone into this project and I congratulate everyone who has had a part in helping us win this latest plaudit.”
The Barnstaple Western Bypass scheme now has a list of credits to its name, having received the Considerate Constructors Bronze Award and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Gold Award.
A number of innovative environmental measures were used during the construction of the Barnstaple Western Bypass and Taw Bridge, including the creation of a bat tunnel and willow barrier to preserve bat foraging corridors, mammal tunnels and improved mammal fencing which has since been adopted by the Environment Agency, and the translocation, storage and reinstatement of a saltmarsh.
The County Council made available 17.7 acres of low lying land available close to the bypass as a nature reserve before work started. As the Taw Estuary is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, strict restrictions were placed on the contractor's method of working and noise and vibration levels were monitored to avoid disturbing the estuary's wildlife and habitats. Species and habitat surveys were undertaken before and during construction and will continue for the next four years.
The National Green Hero scheme and Green Apple Awards are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
