INFORMATION ON THE STW Ltd PIPELINE
We are aware that the route of a new drinking water pipeline being constructed by Severn Trent Water Limited will pass through the country park. We hope that disruption in the park will be kept to a minimum during the time construction is taking place. As we receive information about the project we will post it here so there is one place to come for all the latest news and information.
Pathway Open - 15 May 2024
Please find below confirmation from the Project Team reference this path. I have attached photos of the new signs which have been erected advising the public of the current changes.
“Bestwood park path is now open the team have installed a stoned ramp across the footpath with bog matts underneath to protect the path when plant is passing. Signage of heavy plant crossing, and caution ramp has been added to inform the public about the change.”
“Bestwood park path is now open the team have installed a stoned ramp across the footpath with bog matts underneath to protect the path when plant is passing. Signage of heavy plant crossing, and caution ramp has been added to inform the public about the change.”
Site Meeting - 17 April 2024
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The Friends of Bestwood Country Park met with Severn Trent Water Limited to discuss the proposed mitigation for the pipeline through the field rich in precious Waxcaps. The meeting and subsequent mitigation came about when the Friends Group contacted Severn Trent about the Waxcaps after they were missed in the Ecological Survey. Severn Trent brought along three of their Ecologists as well as the Project Manager to explain the mitigations that their contractor, Avove, will undertake and subsequent monitoring and re-instatement. The meeting was positive and there is a clear willingness of Severn Trent to engage with the Friends Group to achieve the best outcome even though the damage has been done - and to try to prevent this from happening again.
We also visited the site to look at the activity - see photo below. If anyone would like the minutes of the meeting and find out more about this and all the work that the Wildlife Group does to advocate for the wildlife in the park, then contact us via [email protected] |
Progress Being Made - 5 April 2024
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It should be noted that progress is being made and some sections of the pipeline are now in the ground. This image is from just outside the park on the farm fields just to the north of Bestwood Village.
Sections of the pipe have remained exposed so that pressure testing can take place once the full section of pipe has been laid. |
Frequently Asked Questions - from STW Ltd - March 2024
The following document was circulated by Severn Trent Water Limited to answer some of the commonly asked questions about the pipeline project. Please note that the date of the drop in session at the Bestwood Village Miners' Welfare has changed. It will now take place on Tuesday 19th March from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
| faqs_-_strelley_to_redhill.pdf |
Output From The Bestwood Development Group Meeting - 13 Feb 2024
The Bestwood Park Development Group met this week. The Group comprises various park stakeholders including councillors, council staff, rangers, and FoBCP are also represented. Details of the meeting will be communicated separately. Severn Trent and their contractors Avove also attended regarding the pipeline. They confirmed that work has now started and details of the work are available on their website.
While we understand the pipeline is going ahead, FoBCP are endeavouring to best advocate for park visitors and the flora and fauna. Realistically, the best we can do is support any mitigation work and then assist in the subsequent recovery after the 30-metre-wide work area is carved through a stretch of the park. Two mitigations were discussed at the meeting following some fantastic work and a report produced by volunteers Carl Cornish & Imogen Clayson of the FoBCP Wildlife Group in a remarkably short time frame.
Their report highlighted that the proposed area for the works compound was in the middle of our UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme transect and a proposed local wildlife site (LWS) we’ve been working on. The great news is that Avove have found another location, outside the park, for the compound so the butterflies and the transect can continue – albeit with a 30-metre wide work area through the route for some time, dependent on the back-filling arrangements.
The second mitigation is still being worked on. Two fields (referred to as East Pasture and West Pasture) within a Local Wildlife Site have waxcaps, species of mushrooms known for their shiny-looking caps. Some of the species here in Bestwood are extremely rare and classed as nationally important. Waxcaps need areas of undisturbed grassland that haven’t had fertilisers added. Assemblages can take up to 80 years to form. So once lost they do not return for decades. To make the case, Carl & Imogen have been in touch with the country’s leading expert, a professor at Aberystwyth University, to discuss the best course of action to safeguard this assemblage of rare species here in Bestwood. The waxcaps were not picked up in the initial survey and Avove are now working on mitigations. However, we are not yet convinced they go far enough, so we are considering funding our study with the Professor at Aberystwyth University as we are determined to preserve such a rare and important species in Bestwood Country Park.
With the ranger, NCC staff and the Wildlife Group, we’ll also explore biodiversity funding available from Severn Trent for projects in the park.
If you would like more details, contact the FoBCP Wildlife Group on [email protected]
For more information on waxcaps see:
Protecting Waxcaps: All the Losses We Cannot See… - Plantlife
How to Find and Identify Waxcap Fungi - Plantlife
While we understand the pipeline is going ahead, FoBCP are endeavouring to best advocate for park visitors and the flora and fauna. Realistically, the best we can do is support any mitigation work and then assist in the subsequent recovery after the 30-metre-wide work area is carved through a stretch of the park. Two mitigations were discussed at the meeting following some fantastic work and a report produced by volunteers Carl Cornish & Imogen Clayson of the FoBCP Wildlife Group in a remarkably short time frame.
Their report highlighted that the proposed area for the works compound was in the middle of our UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme transect and a proposed local wildlife site (LWS) we’ve been working on. The great news is that Avove have found another location, outside the park, for the compound so the butterflies and the transect can continue – albeit with a 30-metre wide work area through the route for some time, dependent on the back-filling arrangements.
The second mitigation is still being worked on. Two fields (referred to as East Pasture and West Pasture) within a Local Wildlife Site have waxcaps, species of mushrooms known for their shiny-looking caps. Some of the species here in Bestwood are extremely rare and classed as nationally important. Waxcaps need areas of undisturbed grassland that haven’t had fertilisers added. Assemblages can take up to 80 years to form. So once lost they do not return for decades. To make the case, Carl & Imogen have been in touch with the country’s leading expert, a professor at Aberystwyth University, to discuss the best course of action to safeguard this assemblage of rare species here in Bestwood. The waxcaps were not picked up in the initial survey and Avove are now working on mitigations. However, we are not yet convinced they go far enough, so we are considering funding our study with the Professor at Aberystwyth University as we are determined to preserve such a rare and important species in Bestwood Country Park.
With the ranger, NCC staff and the Wildlife Group, we’ll also explore biodiversity funding available from Severn Trent for projects in the park.
If you would like more details, contact the FoBCP Wildlife Group on [email protected]
For more information on waxcaps see:
Protecting Waxcaps: All the Losses We Cannot See… - Plantlife
How to Find and Identify Waxcap Fungi - Plantlife
Letter Sent To Local Residents in early Feb 2024
