What is a culvert?
A culvert is a closed passage which allows rivers and streams to flow below ground. They are usually made from precast concrete sections but can also be made from plastic and steel. Not only do culverts allow water to flow through them, they are also a place that wildlife can use to travel to other areas.
What species of wildlife will use the culvert?
There are many species, some protected, that will use the culvert which will carry the diverted Bircham Stream. Fish and other aquatic life along with otters, badgers, bats are some of the species that can use the culvert when it is completed.
What consideration has been given to the wildlife in the design of the culvert?
There are many elements that have been considered when creating the design for the final culvert. The designers worked with a team of engineering and environmental experts who liaised closely with the Environment Agency and Natural England to create a bespoke design.
The ecologists have carried out surveys in the area to make sure that the final design can replicate a natural habitat for the wildlife to help their transit.
Areas that they monitor include:
• Bat species and their flight paths
• Rivers including fish and aquatic species
• Bird nesting
• Badger setts
• Reptiles and their habitats
• Air quality
Why is it necessary to have a culvert?
The culvert is required to allow the Bircham Stream to run under the new junction that is being constructed. The stream currently runs along the bottom of the site parallel to Forder Valley Road, under the bottom of Novorossiysk Road and continues down to Forder Valley Interchange.
The new road level is being raised by approximately 5m and the culvert will allow us to divert the flow of water underneath the new junction.
What is the size of the culvert?
The total height of the inside of the culvert will be 2.75m and the width 3.7m. The total length will be a massive 160 metres. To give you a comparison, that’s almost the same width as a single decker coach flipped on its side.
