A new pond is to be constructed as part of advance works on the project to dual the A9 between Tomatin and Moy.
Network Rail will create the 60 by 20 metre pond on behalf of Transport Scotland, with the organisation also carrying out landscaping works to benefit the wider ecology in the area.
It builds on works undertaken in autumn 2021, during which an Unclemole 1200 tunnel boring machine tunnelled under the railway across four days for approximately 33 metres through a mixture of sand, gravel and rock to create an overflow outflow for the new pond.
Once completed, the pond will be left to mature for a year before the contents of an existing pond are relocated. Further to this, ecology assessments carried out in the area highlighted the existence of a rare sub-species of caddisfly, which Network Rail said will be protected and supported by the new pond and landscaping.
Malcolm Mcgowan, Network Rail project manager for the work at Lynebeg, said, “The construction of this pond will recreate the existing caddisfly habitat and, following a period of establishment, will support the relocation of the existing caddisfly to the new pond, which is considered to bring significant environmental benefits to the A9 project.
“Promoting positive environmental impacts and supporting biodiversity is an important element of the overall A9 Dualling project and the work we will do in the coming weeks will continue to benefit the local ecology for generations to come. There will be a range of construction plant involved in the creation of the pond and though the location is relatively rural, we are advising local people to be aware of the additional activity and vehicle movements during this important work.”
