Chippenham Fen NNR - Site Management Infrastructure Improvement Project NNR97

Tender description

For installation and repair of culverts on Chippenham Fen, National Nature Reserve (NNR). NNRs were established to protect some of our most important habitats, species and geology, and to provide ‘outdoor laboratories’ for research. There are currently 224 NNRs in England with a total area of over 94,400 hectares - approximately 0.7% of the country’s land surface. Chippenham Fen NNR is an important wetland reserve. The site contains of wet meadows and reedbeds growing in peat soil. The site is wet all year round due to the chalk springs which feed the reserve. Access around the site is limited because of the sensitive soils and plant communities. Due to the nature of the site there is a limited time window when work can be undertaken (late Summer / Autumn). A site visit is mandatory before providing a quote to allow contractors to understand the access arrangements and sensitive nature of the site. Site visits can only be made with the Project Officer by prior arrangement. Two areas of work to be included in quote:- 1) To create three culverts to allow machinery i.e. tractors and implements to cross shallow drainage ditches on Chippenham Fen NNR to access pasture land. 2) To dig out a collar dam / culvert and upgrade by reinstalling twin collar dam pipes at the same location to improve water through flow. Key Timescales; • Quotes to be submitted by end of July 2017. • Site visit available on request. • Work to be completed by end of September 2017 Location: Chippenham Fen National Nature Reserve Office, Park Farm, Snailwell Road, Chippenham ,Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5QB. Site contact details: Chris Hainsworth, Senior Reserve Manager - Breckland NNRs on Telephone: 01638 721329. Mobile: 07799657428