M42 project team keeping journeys smooth for local wildlife

Wildlife as well as drivers will be enjoying smooth journeys following the opening of the A4545 dual carriageway, thanks to a series of environmental initiatives.

The new A road is part of the M42 junction 6 improvement scheme and details of the work, including several innovations to ensure that impact on local wildlife and habitat is kept to a minimum, are being shared to celebrate World Nature Conservation Day.

The day is held annually on July 28 to highlight the need for the conservation of nature’s resources and biodiversity. An emphasis is laid on collective responsibility towards the safeguarding of ecosystems so that we may have a sustainable world to nurture generations in the future. 

As part of the A4545 construction a series of specially designed mammal tunnels have been placed beneath the new dual carriageway. These tunnels provide a safe and secure passageway, allowing animals to traverse the area without disruption or danger from road traffic.

By maintaining these crucial wildlife corridors species like badgers can continue to follow their traditional routes, supporting their natural behaviours and contributing to the conservation of the local ecosystem.

The project is also installing badger exclusion wire fencing to stop animals from accessing the A4545 as part of preparing for landscaped areas to be handed back to their respective landowners.

National Highways Project Manager on the M42 Junction 6 scheme, Adam Gallis said:

“We’re very proud of the environmental work being carried out as part of this project.

“The tunnels, along with other measures, are a great example of how we can integrate environmental practices alongside vital transport improvements and we’ve taken great care to ensure that our work respects the local natural landscape.”

New drainage ditches have been created to discharge rainfall runoff from agricultural land in the Shadow Brook catchment area and drainage headwalls have been installed to minimise the risk of erosion where the new drainage ditches discharge into Shadow Brook.

As one of the largest landowners in England, National Highways manages over 30,000 hectares of land and is committed to reconnecting habitats, reversing the decline in biodiversity, creating thriving ecosystems and increasing environmental resilience to a changing climate through its Environmental Sustainability Strategy.