Cross A Moor
Overview:
As part of a £ 9.5 million improvements project ‘A590 Cross-a-Moor', National Highways are improving essential infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve safety and support 1000 new homes. Within this project, Ground Control is creating a new wetland environment that will alleviate flood risk and will boost local biodiversity in Swarthmoor, Cumbria.
Scope of Works:
The scheme will see the construction of a new roundabout and roads to link and connect the preexisting local network, with Ground Control leading on the adjacent environmental works.
Wetland Construction:
To ease flooding and reduce risk to the nearby village of Swarthmoor, Ground Control is creating a new wetland area and carrying out relevant environmental improvements that include a new drainage pond.
In addition to flood alleviation, wetlands provide a multitude of benefits. They are unique habitats for British wildlife, act as carbon sinks, and can reduce the effects of harmful agricultural/industrial runoffs.
From a biodiversity perspective, they can provide homes to hundreds of species of insects, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants.
Surrounding the new wetland and creating an opportunity for positive interactions between humans and nature within a new recreational environment is the installation of a new footpath network and the planting of a variety of species including native hedgerows in the areas surrounding the wetlands.