1. Turf translocation at the Isle of
Grain to Shorne GasPipeline
project
National Grid has constructed an
underground gas pipeline from
the Isle of Grain to Shorne to
ensure that natural gas can be
transported from the Liquefied
Natural Gas (LNG) importation
terminal at Grain in sufficient
quantity to help meet the
growing demand for reliable and
economic gas supplies in London
and the South of England.
The pipeline runs for 21km
initially crossing the Stoke
Marshes, which are an interna‐
tionally designated site of
ecological importance, a site of
Special Scientific Interest and a
Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds reserve, and therefore a
habitat of high sensitivity.
The main central section of the
pipeline route runs for approxi‐
mately 17km then passes through
undulating, primarily agricultural
and horticultural land before
reaching a final section which
crosses the Shorne Marshes
which are also an internationally
designated ecological site and
include another Royal Society for
the Protection of Birdsreserve.
Greensport Trading Ltd
Heol Ffaldau, Brackla Ind Est,
Bridgend, CF31 2XE
01656 650 460 | www.inscapes.org.uk | reception@inscapes.org.uk

2. Painstaking work
Stoke and Shorne Marshes as
their name suggests had their
own hydrological issues which
needed to be taken account of
and indeed every hundred
metres threw up different
problems.
Having worked alongside AMEC
and National Grid to produce a
methodology and environmental
statement for the scheme using
techniques and systems Inscapes
was called in to lift, catalogue,
maintain and replace in exactly
the same place over 14,000 m2
of
natural turfgrass along the route of
the pipeline excavations, working
closely with staff from Natural
England.
“These are painstaking
techniques which are now
second nature to us,” says Garry
Lewis, Inscapes Managing Director
with special responsibility for our
environ‐ mental division. “Using
specialist equipment we lifted the
existing turf and top soil – which
contains the natural seed bank for
the in‐ digenous grasses and
flowers, relocated them to
temporary receptor sites adjacent
to the route of the pipeline, then
replaced the turf in the precise
spot from which it had been lifted
– with the seed bank intact to
ensure continuity of growth. The
turf translocation of the wetland
areas were a challenge, but
benefitted from the
re‐instatement being completed
within three months of the initial
turf being lifted.”
We’re used to working in wild places! Thisis
us restoring the Alton Barnes White Horse
in an area designated as aSSSI
Greensport Trading Ltd
Heol Ffaldau, Brackla Ind Est,
Bridgend, CF31 2XE
01656 650 460 | www.inscapes.org.uk | reception@inscapes.org.uk
In addition to providing
services for large scale civil
engineering projects,
Inscapes works with
environmental consultants,
civil engineers, local
authorities, construction
companies and house
builders to offer:
 Natural Turf
translocation and
Relocation
 Seed Harvesting
 Hedge and Tree
Translocation
 Ground Stabilisation