First Steps - Clearing the Topsoil

PIPE HOME LINCOLNSHIRE FIRST STEPS STRINGING FRONT END INSPECTION COATING LOWER & LAY TIE-INS & FABS SIDEBOOMS AUGER TUNNELING HD DRILLING TRENCHING & BACKFILL PIPELINERS REINSTATEMENT THE LAST TIE-IN OLD TIMES DEREK's 1966 Have Your Say TOM THOMSON

The first job after the easement has been surveyed is fencing and gates. At every road crossing, a gated hardstanding is built, to cut down on mud on the road. Another important job at this time is to erect high posts carrying bunting to mark overhead powerlines, and also to mark underground services.

Environmental surveys will also have identified endangered flora and fauna, and measures put in place to protect them.

Then the diggers move in, clearing topsoil to the side to be reused when the pipeline has gone through.

Above Hartley Village, a team of 4 bulldozers also clear topsoil.

Fenceposts being set by the thousand

The topsoil clearing crew unearthed what is believed to be the foundations of a Roman bathhouse. After discussions with the archeologists, it was decided to replace the topsoil until the site could be properly researched, and Murphys put a bore 4 metres below for the pipe.

There was also a probable Saxon burial discovered further north on the line.

This is one of the enclosures put in place to keep Great Crested Newts from straying into the works. SGN's Project Supervisor, Nick Travis, is checking one of the traps.

When the pipeline went through Ancient Woodland at Bewlay Bar, all the felled tree stumps were planted in this temporary nursery until the works had passed, and as you can see they are coppicing nicely. Murphys also carefully stored special topsoil from this woodland, and pieces of ragstone with rare lichens.

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