Return of the white water lilies? Fresh work to boost biodiversity

13/03/2024 | CHRIS AMES

National Highways is helping fund a major Devon County Council scheme to de-silt a lake within a Site of Special Scientific Interest alongside the A38. 

Among other things, the scheme will encourage the return of white water lilies.

A second phase of environmental and biodiversity work has just started at Stover Country Park near Newton Abbot with a contribution of £847,762 from the government-owned company’s environment and wellbeing designated fund.

In 2019, Highways England (as it was then known) funded a giant reedbed filtration system designed to capture and filter water run-off from the A38, to help improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats within the park.

It said the initial scheme has produced significant improvements in water quality, as well as biodiversity and an increase in bird and invertebrate species.

However, it has not achieved one of its original objectives – the return of white water lilies that have not been seen at the lake since 2007.

In partnership with Murlac Limited, Devon County Council and the Stover Park team are now de-silting the lake to further improve water quality.

It is hoped that reducing pollution and silt will help the lilies re-establish to provide a more diverse habitat.

National Highways project manager Michelle Reed said: ‘The earlier filtration scheme has been such a success, and the reed beds themselves are supporting a range of birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals.

‘Our work goes beyond the traditional focus of road investment and beyond operating, maintaining and improving roads, and we’re expecting the de-silting work to bring further benefits to the park and for the many people who visit and use the site.’

Devon CC cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport Andrea Davis said: ‘The sustainable reedbed drainage system that was installed a few years ago has proven extremely effective in improving water quality and restoring biodiversity.

‘This latest investment will build on that success to have a further positive environmental impact at Stover, alongside further restoration work across the country park.’

Pipework and other dredging equipment have now been installed at the Stover Lake site and the work is expected to be completed in July,

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Waste Recycling Operative

£25,584 to £27,269, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Waste Recycling Operative. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Gully Operative

£25,584.00 to £27,269.00, Grade 5
Are you a hard-working looking for career in highway maintenance? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Highways Operative - WMF3003e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit Highways Operatives to our Highways Service. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Highways Policy and Procedures Officer - WMF3011e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is an exciting opportunity to support the Asset Manager in developing policies and procedures Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Maintenance Bridge Engineer

Band G, SCP 32 -37 (£41,511 - £46,731 per annum)
We have an exciting opportunity available within the Highways Service at Sandwell Council House based in Oldbury. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW