Contractors working for HS2 have been working with the Iver Environment Centre, in the Colne Valley Regional Park, to complete a restoration project to improve the facility for the local community. Lynch, working with Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), have lent the centre a one tonne dumper truck so that they can complete their new landscaping project.
The Iver Environment Centre is currently restoring their large wildlife pond and as part of the work a section of the pond is to be filled in, creating a wildflower meadow island. The centre needed to move 100 tonnes of sub-soil from their car park next to the main site, but the access was too narrow for a tipper, so Lynch offered to help. The soil will then be laid ready for seeding in the autumn.
James Barden, HS2 Project Manager South, from Lynch said:
“Lynch have been working closely with SCS JV on the HS2 project near the Environment Centre, so we are pleased to be able to give something back to the local area and help where we can. Community engagement projects like these are so important to us as we are passionate about giving back and seeing real benefits to local people. We understand that leaving a positive legacy is all of our responsibility, and this is just one of the ways we can help.”
Katy from the Iver Environment Centre said:
“This will create more open spaces in the centre for visitors who come to enjoy the outdoors and reconnect with nature, as well as creating ecosystems for the local wildlife. Having the dumper truck lent to us enabled us to allocate much needed funding elsewhere in our project.”
The Iver Environment Centre is a 30-year partnership between National Grid and the Groundwork South Trust – an environmentally-led community development charity working across the South of England. The centre is an important part of the local community and hosts many visits throughout the year.
People with physical and learning disabilities can take part in supported volunteering to aid their wellbeing and the centre provides environmental education for primary schools in South Bucks, Hillingdon and Slough areas, providing children with the opportunity to learn about their natural environment. Secondary age children can also visit the centre and volunteer, teaching them social responsibility and allowing them to spend more time outdoors.
James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG JV said:
“I am delighted that our contractor Lynch has been able to support Iver Environment Centre to deliver their restoration project. SCS JV and our contractors are committed to being a valuable part of the communities where we are working over the next few years, and this is a great example of how we can make a difference locally.”
Maddelyn Sutton, HS2’s Head of Community Engagament for Phase One South, said:
“As we build the new high speed railway, we want to leave a positive legacy in communities across the route. Lynch and SCS JV lending equipment to help complete a local project is a fantastic example of this, and we will continue to work with our contractors and support them to engage with communities, to ensure they can benefit from the project as it is delivered.”
The restoration project is due to be completed in the autumn, so that it can be enjoyed by members of the local community.
In addition, HS2 Ltd are creating bigger and better natural habitats in the area, such as an ambitious project in the Colne Valley to create 127 hectares of new chalk grassland, woodland, wood pasture and wetland habitats for people and wildlife to enjoy. The project will re-use material from the tunnel excavation to create new connected green spaces and around 4.5km of new footpath, cycling and horse-riding routes.
