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The Project

Ancient woodland is defined by Natural England as land that has had continuous woodland cover since at least 1600 AD and tends to be more varied in structure and richer in biodiversity than more recent planted woodland.

Considering their conservation value it is imperative that ancient woodlands are managed in a way that ensures that they do not deteriorate and, where possible, that they are managed to enhance their condition. One method to achieve this is to connect one ancient woodland with another using habitat that is hospitable to the species that would benefit from being able to expand their range between woodlands. The habitat between the two woodlands is known as a 'habitat corridor'.

Habitat corridors have been used to help link up isolated areas of habitat and decrease the negative impacts that species suffer due to habitat fragmentation. Habitat corridors have been shown to increase the population size and enhance the chances of survival in species with low populations.

This environmental improvement scheme is expected to have a positive impact on increased biodiversity by enhancing the habitat on the motorway verge with woodland planting which should provide a link for species to colonize between isolated woodland areas.

The planting scheme was carried out on the motorway verge adjacent to the southbound carriageway of the M11 between Junctions 6 and 7.  This combines to over 0.5 hectares and borders Roughtallys Wood and will provide a habitat corridor to the larger Hawkshill Wood, both areas of Ancient, semi-natural woodlands.  The planting will comprise a mixture of native shrubs and smaller tree species, such as Field Maple (Acer campestre), Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Hazel (Corylus avellana) and  Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum Lantana).

Environmental mitigation measures were in place to protect protected species whilst the planting work was being carried out.