A53 Hodnet Bypass

A53 Hodnet Bypass is a major new highway in the County of Shropshire and opened to traffic in September 2003. The scheme is 6.6 kilometres long, approximately 4 miles and provides a complete bypass of the villages of Hodnet and Wollerton together with the improvement of the remainder of the A53 to the A41at Ternhill roundabout.

Moore Environment was involved for the whole term of the project, from early detailed design of the road scheme, associated landscape, wetlands and other environmental measures, implementation on site, including a five year aftercare period to the preparation of a landscape and environmental management plan for long term care.

The team were responsible for the introduction of a number of innovative techniques and contributing to the achievement of an excellent environmental performance for the scheme on site.

Features included:-

• Approximately 100,000 native trees and shrubs, providing 9 hectares of new planting and 13 kilometres of hedgerows.
• All plants were contract grown from locally collected seed sources to create maximum value for biodiversity.
• 8 hectares of species rich grassland have been created in selected locations on soils or growing substrates of low nutrient value.
• Wetlands - 4 hectares of new wetland comprising created in the Tern valley using natural ground water.
• Attenuation and Pollution Ponds for Sustainable Urban Drainage - 4 ponds and swales to balance and clean up road runoff before it reaches local watercourses.
• River Tern Enhancement - The opportunity was taken to improve the channel and habitat of the river during the works. The project has restored several sections of the river by creating new meanders, ox bow pools, shallow margins and cliffs for sand martins.
• Wetland Planting - Herbaceous material was planted at a range of water levels, submerged, partially submerged or bank side. Trees and taller vegetation was kept where possible to the north and east side to prevent too much shading.