Turf translocation at the Isle of

Grain to Shorne Gas Pipeline

project

National Grid has constructed an

underground gas pipeline from

the Isle of Grain to Shorne to

ensure that natural gas can be

transported from the Liquefied

Natural Gas (LNG) importation

terminal at Grain in sufficient

quantity to help meet the

growing demand for reliable and

economic gas supplies in London

and the South of England.

The pipeline runs for 21km

initially crossing the Stoke

Marshes, which are an interna‐

tionally designated site of

ecological importance, a site of

Special Scientific Interest and a

Royal Society for the Protection

of Birds reserve, and therefore a

habitat of high sensitivity.

The main central section of the

pipeline route runs for approxi‐

mately 17km then passes through

undulating, primarily agricultural

and horticultural land before

reaching a final section which

crosses the Shorne Marshes

which are also an internationally

designated ecological site and

include another Royal Society for

the Protection of Birds reserve.

Greensport Trading Ltd

Heol Ffaldau, Brackla Ind Est, Bridgend, CF31 2XE 01656 650 460 | www.inscapes.org.uk | reception@inscapes.org.uk

Painstaking work

Stoke and Shorne Marshes as

their name suggests had their

own hydrological issues which

needed to be taken account of

and indeed every hundred

metres threw up different

problems.

Having worked alongside AMEC

and National Grid to produce a

methodology and environmental

statement for the scheme using

techniques and systems Inscapes

was called in to lift, catalogue,

maintain and replace in exactly

the same place over 14,000 m2 of

natural turfgrass along the route of

the pipeline excavations, working

closely with staff from Natural

England.

“These are painstaking

techniques which are now

second nature to us,” says Garry

Lewis, Inscapes Managing Director

with special responsibility for our

environ‐ mental division. “Using

specialist equipment we lifted the

existing turf and top soil – which

contains the natural seed bank for

the in‐ digenous grasses and

flowers, relocated them to

temporary receptor sites adjacent

to the route of the pipeline, then

replaced the turf in the precise

spot from which it had been lifted

– with the seed bank intact to

ensure continuity of growth. The

turf translocation of the wetland

areas were a challenge, but

benefitted from the

re‐instatement being completed

within three months of the initial

turf being lifted.”

We’re used to working in wild places! This is

us restoring the Alton Barnes White Horse

in an area designated as a SSSI

Greensport Trading Ltd Heol Ffaldau, Brackla Ind Est, Bridgend, CF31 2XE 01656 650 460 | www.inscapes.org.uk | reception@inscapes.org.uk

In addition to providing services for large scale civil engineering projects, Inscapes works with environmental consultants, civil engineers, local authorities, construction companies and house builders to offer:

Natural Turf translocation and Relocation

Seed Harvesting

Hedge and Tree Translocation

Ground Stabilisation