Lias Line - Phase 1 Multi User Greenway

Client: Sustrans

Date: October 2021-July 2022. The Lias Line Greenway was officially opened on 15th July 2022.

Value: £3.6m

The Project

Phase 1 B4455 Fosse Way to Birdingbury Lane (Route 41)

CLM have just completed working with Sustrans on Phase 1 of the Lias Line, creating the largest multi-user Greenway in Warwickshire which will significantly improve Route 41.

Our works included structural repairs to six existing bridges, ecological mitigation works and the construction of a brand new 4.51km cycleway. When fully completed this will link Leamington Spa to Rugby.

The new path connects to Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) Offchurch Greenway and links to Rugby, Long Itchington and Leamington, with a segment of the route taking visitors along the Grand Union Canal.

Public Safety

The safety of the public was paramount on this scheme, as it is on every project we deliver. In this case we have had to isolate the works from a public that has been historically used to walking on the old railway line. This has meant that we have had to completely close areas of the track to the public, both within and out of working hours.

CLM have provided security within the compound, ensured plant and machinery was left secure when not in use, or out of working hours and regularly patrolled the site to ensure the works were protected from public access. We will also use these working practices on the WFD Towpath Widening and Resurfacing project to always ensure the safety of the public during the works.

Environment & Ecology

Many ecological and logistical challenges were overcome to complete the Lias Line scheme. In Phase 1 alone there were five badger setts, two significant newt habitats, bat roosts in four brick bridges, reptiles and invasive species.

The works cross the River Itchen three times, the Grand Union Canal and required the protection of two Otter Sites. CLM worked in harmony with Sustrans Ecologists and environmental specialists to ensure wildlife was protected during the construction works. This included ecological surveys, inspections, mitigation, permitting and enhancement.

Protection Measures:

Aligning our programme of works to suit each ecological constraint
Protecting badger setts and crossing points, assisting with the creation of new setts and abiding by the Badger Licence conditions
Joint pre-construction surveys when clearing vegetation to protect mammals and locate invasive species. One of four amphibian/ reptile ponds created on the Lias Line to encourage Great Crested Newt breeding and biodiversity on the route
Facilitating Bat Surveys prior to brickwork repairs
Isolating ecologically sensitive areas with fencing and newt barriers
Limiting plant sizes to reduce impact on setts
Creating new habitats for newts - new ponds and hibernacula
Safe storage of plant fuel and construction materials to prevent pollution of watercourses or the general environment.

Logistical Challenges

Similar to the WFDC Towpath Widening and Resurfacing scheme, the Lias Line is a linear route and required the movement of plant and materials from limited access points. Our works required us to work over restricted weight structures and have agreed passing points for plant. The supply of quality approved stone in sufficient quantities to meet the programme proved challenging.

Meticulous planning and material specification was agreed to prepare for surfacing to be laid at the correct temperatures and specification at the remotest parts of the line.

Material Costs

Material cost increases proved a constant challenge on this scheme and on all other current projects. To mitigate huge rises in surfacing costs we worked with Sustrans to modify the surfacing detail and also partnered with a smaller surfacing company.

This surfacing collaboration has enabled us to purchase the tarmac directly and our surfacing contractor is laying this tarmacadam with a specialist gang and mini paver. By doing this we have been able to significantly reduce the overall rate for each completed metre of cycleway.

Access into the works was via Long Itchington Lane and the site was located in a farmer’s field. We installed temporary access hard standings and haul roads from the field and then onto the old railway track.

WFDC Towpath Widening and Resurfacing - Previous Experience with Delivering this Type and Scale of Project

The care taken to protect the environment and the benefits of a new shared use cycleway prompted the BBC to feature the project on Country File

The 4.51km cycleway included 11,000 tonnes of stone and 2,400 tonnes of tarmac. In several locations we installed reinforced concrete slabs to protect and strengthen the existing bridges and installed pre-cast concrete kerbs and edgings.

During the project great care was taken to engage with the local community and stakeholders, particularly as the new cycleway passed close to many houses and properties. The careful timing of deliveries to and from site, whilst using approved access routes minimised disruption to the community, this was extremely important as the HS2 project also impacted the local area.

Testimonial

“The frequency of communication and responsiveness of the team at CLM on the Lias Line Greenway project has made a great working relationship between CLM and Sustrans. The pro activeness and care from the very beginning of the tendering stage through to construction is of value and adds to the success of the project. It is clear that CLM are passionate about providing the best outcome for the project and Sustrans.”

Carmen Szeto- Senior Network Development Manager, Sustrans

Read the entire case study: Lias Line - Phase 1 Cycleway Case Study.

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