Environmental improvements support Southampton to London Pipeline project's progress

Work is continuing at pace on our Southampton to London Pipeline (SLP) project, which is replacing 90km of the underground aviation fuel pipeline between Boorley Green, Hampshire and the West London Terminal storage facility in Hounslow.

Construction works to install the replacement pipeline began in late 2021 and are expected to be completed this year. It is a complex engineering challenge and we’re working hard to keep construction impacts to a minimum, advising local communities two months before any works commence in their area.

A significant amount of time has been committed to identifying support projects along the route as works progress. The SLP team has been liaising with local communities to develop a voluntary Environmental Investment Programme (EIP) which includes localised environmental improvements such as enhancing local biodiversity within environmentally classified sites and/or areas of social/community importance.

Some activities are being delivered by the project team, whilst others are being funded and delivered via local councils.  Many of the projects relate to improving ‘Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace’ known as SANG.  These are recreational sites, created to attract residents of new developments away from designated sites that are protected for their valuable ecology and are sensitive to recreational activities.

The improvements include:

• the enhancement of wildlife habitats including wetlands and grassland areas
• the installation of bird and bat boxes and log and branch piles for insects’, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians
• native tree and hedgerow planting schemes
• new signage, nature interpretation boards and benches

Further information about the project can be found at www.slpproject.co.uk