Protecting your natural environment - Tiree Project Progresses

What we're doing

Pipe replacement work near Balephuil water treatment works, which goes through a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and machair where cattle and sheep graze, is being carried out in accordance with  conditions laid down by Scottish Natural Heritage.

This has included the painstaking process of excavating between 30 and 50 metres of machair per day, setting it aside, watering it and returning it to its original position within 36 hours.

Amount invested

£2.3 million

Start date

Ongoing

End Date

Near completion

Partners

ROK Civil Engineering

Area Affected

In addition to the replacement of the machair, one section of the pipeline route is also on the machair and is adjacent to Loch a Phuil in a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds protected zone.

Following discussions with organisations such as the RSPB, and as part of the consent, we agreed not to work on this stretch of land along the pipeline route until the after end of the bird nesting season on June 20.

The contractors also discovered an otter holt in the area and had to apply for a licence from the Scottish Government to work within 30 metres of it.

We want to hear from you

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