Consultancy AECOM and the University of Salford have formed a research partnership to improve understanding of how major infrastructure programmes interact with the natural environment.
The organisations will fund environmental research in areas selected to provide benefits to specific schemes, and which help reduce adverse impacts and improve outcomes for the natural environment on future projects.
Research areas include exploring potential issues for wildlife when working in areas with contaminated sediments; predicting disturbance to sensitive species from construction activities; and investigating perceptions of biodiversity within construction.
The partnership builds on AECOM’s work on the Mersey Gateway Project, a new six-lane toll bridge over the river between Runcorn and Widnes, which is due to open next year.
The consultancy provided environmental advice and monitoring to help manage the impact of the new route, focusing on the complex and sensitive estuarine environment.