Felling licence

[htb]

Question for the masses?

I am looking at a job next week for SGN in Scotland.

Basically Transport Scotland are replacing a main roundabout with a flyover and roundabout, problem is the gas main runs alongside (about 8m away) the existing road, before work on the road commences the gas main needs to be moved. The main is to be moved parallel to existing main into  an area of scrub and trees.

I have been look at the job of clearing areas to enable boreholes and test pits to be dug.

As this is infrastructure works is it exempt from felling licence or not?, there will probably be more than 5 cube of timber, and a lot more if they clear the entire working area 30m centered over the pipeline.

They want it done before bird nesting, which is not going to happen so it will have to wait until August

[openspaceman]

1 hour ago, htb said:

Question for the masses?

I am looking at a job next week for SGN in Scotland.

Basically Transport Scotland are replacing a main roundabout with a flyover and roundabout, problem is the gas main runs alongside (about 8m away) the existing road, before work on the road commences the gas main needs to be moved. The main is to be moved parallel to existing main into  an area of scrub and trees.

I have been look at the job of clearing areas to enable boreholes and test pits to be dug.

As this is infrastructure works is it exempt from felling licence or not?, there will probably be more than 5 cube of timber, and a lot more if they clear the entire working area 30m centered over the pipeline.

They want it done before bird nesting, which is not going to happen so it will have to wait until August

Both SGN and Transport Scotland will be statutory undertakers  so exempt from planning or felling licences

 

https://www.gov.scot/binaries/content/documents/govscot/publications/factsheet/2017/02/devolution-of-forestry-factsheets/documents/new-felling-arrangements-exemptions/new-felling-arrangements-exemptions/govscot%3Adocument/New%2Bfelling%2Barrangements%2B-%2BExemptions.pdf

 

The bird nesting is no different from elsewhere, precautions must be taken (inspections) to avoid disturbing section 1 species recklessly. Nothing says work is prevented until you come across a nesting bird.

[dumper]

I clear for Cadent,gtc,sgn,and other utilities get a written instruction and carry on gas works trump everything we have never had a problem 

birds,tpo,conservation area,don’t worry

Edited February 5, 2022 by dumper

[htb]

Thanks to you both, that clarifies things somewhat.

Basically, check for nests if none rock on, checking all time for nests as you work through the site.

[dumper]

You have got it we try to contact local tree officers just to let them know it make it easier when dealing with tree huggers, this advice only applies to public land if it’s in private ownership take care it’s amazing how many pipelines and cables have no legal wayleave and that’s a whole pile of trouble 

[dumper]

With bird nesting we supply our own ecologist to survey ahead this allows us to keep them under control  the whole gang look and survey the trees ahead and we then record this as video and written reports 

it’s unusual to get trees old enough for bats, 

[htb]

13 minutes ago, dumper said:

You have got it we try to contact local tree officers just to let them know it make it easier when dealing with tree huggers, this advice only applies to public land if it’s in private ownership take care it’s amazing how many pipelines and cables have no legal wayleave and that’s a whole pile of trouble 

Its Council ground, old waste tip 3/4 mile long by 30m wide. Natural regen trees up to 40ft, rough grass areas and gorse.

[dumper]

Have you thought about getting a flail in sounds ideal for it

[htb]

Greenclimber or 8t slew with mulching head for scrub grassy areas. Fell trees and chip arisings back onto site is the plan. We did 5 miles last November over the existing line that way.

[dumper]

Got an Ahwi in for our last line clear did everything apart from couple large willows  they don’t like flails over the live pipes, saves whole load of time and better finish with only one machine.flails on diggers I’ve never found good for bigger jobs most tractors beat them easily unless it’s a slope

Edited February 6, 2022 by dumper