Dormouse Mitigation, Licensing and Ecological Watching Brief

The Brief

We were commissioned by Network Rail to secure a European Protected Species Licence (EPSL) for dormouse from Natural Resources Wales to enable vegetation clearance along the South Wales Mainline (SWM2).

The works were safety critical, as trees and dense vegetation were obstructing train drivers’ views of signals and level crossings. The area had previously been identified as supporting a population of dormice, requiring a carefully designed mitigation and licensing strategy to allow works to proceed lawfully and without harm to the species.

Our Role

We provided end-to-end ecological support, including:

• Preparation of a detailed dormouse mitigation method statement
• Compilation and submission of the EPSL application to Natural Resources Wales
• Ongoing liaison with the client and regulator throughout the determination process
• Design of vegetation clearance to maintain habitat connectivity
• Ecological Watching Brief during works, delivered by licensed ecologists named on the EPSL
• Installation of 230 dormouse nest boxes across the worksite
• Long-term monitoring programme over a seven-year period

The mitigation strategy ensured vegetation clearance was undertaken sensitively, avoiding direct impacts on dormice while maintaining connected habitat corridors alongside the railway line.

Outcomes

• EPSL successfully granted by Natural Resources Wales
• Vegetation clearance completed safely and in full compliance with licence conditions
• No harm to dormice recorded during works
• Long-term enhancement and monitoring measures implemented

Added Value

Our integrated licensing, mitigation design and on-site supervision ensured that essential rail safety works were delivered without delay, while fully meeting protected species legislation requirements.

Supporting critical infrastructure while safeguarding protected species.