Bramber Brook Biodiversity Enhancement Project

 

Introduction & Objectives:

 

At Bramber Brook in Steyning, West Sussex, the goal was to enhance local biodiversity by constructing a raised walkway and creating a series of ponds and wetland scrapes. This would provide new habitats and support a richer variety of species.

 

Challenges:

 

While the initial site conditions were good, the weather took a turn and became very wet. This required adapting the working approach to handle the muddy and waterlogged ground.

 

Solutions:

 

To address the wet conditions, the team switched from wheeled to tracked dump trucks and worked in straight, methodical lines to minimize ground disturbance. We used GPS-equipped excavators for precise levels and lines, while still allowing some creative freehand shaping of the ponds.

 

Outcomes:

 

In the end, the project was a success. The Environment Agency and other stakeholders were very pleased with the outcome and how the team managed the changing conditions seamlessly.