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Temple Group is pleased to announce that we were joint winners of the Environmental (Infrastructure) Award at the Association of Noise Consultants Awards 2019 as well as an Innovation Award.
Temple alongside BSG, University of Bristol and HS2 put together a joint submission for work on using acoustic deterrents as a bat mitigation strategy.
There are emerging approaches to using acoustic output as a mitigation methodology to dissuade bats from sites such as windfarms that pose a risk of injuring or killing bats, but little attention has been paid to the use of sound to enhance the effectiveness of mitigation. Instead of simply excluding bats from an area, we determined that acoustic deterrents can be used to deter bats while ensuring normal levels of bat behaviour in the vicinity remain the same. We were able to assess the sound emitted and adapt the design by changing the configuration of acoustic deterrents to maximise their effectiveness in eliciting localised and predictable changes in bat flight behaviour. This involved recording changes in bat flight behaviour in response to acoustic stimuli.
This research was carried out to evaluate acoustic deterrents as part of mitigation measures designed for protection of woodland bats present along part of the High Speed 2 (HS2) Phase 1 railway. Ongoing research is being carried out to establish the potential for acoustic deterrents to increase the use of linear planting and built structures (bridges and underpasses) provided to mitigate habitat fragmentation caused by linear infrastructure. This could be a new and widely applicable approach.
The judges stated “This was a very different entry than most. It was a practical solution to a problem affecting a major infrastructure project and good to see acoustic consultants helping to satisfy Natural England whose consent was required to enable the project to go ahead. The mixture of ecology with acoustics makes this stand out and is also receives an award for innovation.”
The Association of Noise Consultants Awards, which promote and recognise excellence amongst UK acoustic consultants, look for examples of work that display innovation and originality in acoustic design or approach to a particular project. They highlight the unique skills of UK-based acoustic and noise professionals, and the dynamic and diverse nature of the industry overall, to inspire the next generation of acoustic consultants.
This is the second year running that Temple Group has been recognised at the event having been Highly Commended in 2018 for our work with FLO (The Ferrovial Agroman Laing O’Rourke joint venture) on the Northern Line Extension project.
Bechstein’s Bat: Photo Credit: Steph Murphy