UK: Rail infrastructure contractor QTS Group has formed an in-house ecology team, with the aim of avoiding the delays that it has experienced when outsourcing ecological assessments to the limited pool of railway-trained external consultancies.
The team can guide environmental enhancements from survey through to implementation, including initiatives such as wildflower planting, habitat pile creation and installation of bumblebee houses.
Andrew Campuzano is lead ecologist, based in the Northwest & Central region. QTS said Campuzano has a wealth of railway ecology experience, and is one of a small number of people in England to hold a CL35 badger licence which will facilitate emergency works on lines affected by musteline incursions.
Helen Simmons has been appointed as senior ecologist leading work in Scotland, and Kate Hunt is an ecologist supporting projects across the Wales & Western region.
‘Creating an internal ecology team allows us to work smarter and faster’, said Environmental & Sustainability Manager Cameron Couston on July 23. ‘We can provide a more responsive service, ensure legal compliance and contribute meaningfully to biodiversity net gain across the rail network.’
