Mineral Tramways
2004 - ongoing
Client
Cornwall County Council
Services
This scheme involved regeneration of approximately 15 abandoned mine sites and connecting these sites with a cycleway / pedestrian, which follows old tramways where possible.
Old mine sites are often important for bats which may use the old buildings or mine shafts/adits as roosts, a number of specialist bryophytes that require the unusual minerals present on these sites and heathland. Cornwall Environmental Consultants carried out extended Phase 1 habitat surveys, bryophyte surveys, bat surveys, badger surveys and odonata surveys. These survey results were used to inform the ecological impact assessment. Mine shafts were surveyed using a remote detector that was left in situ for up to two weeks.
An ecological watching brief is continuing to ensure protection of important features during construction work. This mainly involves bats, bryophytes and nesting birds.
