A417 Gloucester MissingLink Dualling Scheme

Project Overview

The A417 Missing Link is the construction of a 4.8km dual carriageway. The scheme required
extensive vegetation clearance along a major roadway in a highly ecologically sensitive area.
Given the topography and environmental constraints, the project was carried out using
advanced mechanised equipment to ensure safety, efficiency, and minimal environmental impact. No
aerial tree works were needed for felling operations as machinery was capable of dismantling and felling
trees from the ground.

Objectives

• Felling trees and vegetation to make way for highway improvements
• Clearing vegetation on steep slopes
• Minimise environmental impact by following strict ecological guidelines
• Adhere to safety requirements and reduce the need for high-risk manual operations

Ecological Constraints:

Protected species including birds, bats, reptiles and Roman Snails, were known to inhabit the area.

Works were completed in close collaboration with Kier’s ecology team ensuring all species were
protected Prior to any mechanical work, ecological surveys were conducted to ensure no protected species or habitats were affected.

Minimising tree removal by working closely with Kier’s Arboriculturally Clark of Works to ensure only trees that required removal for the scheme were felled. Where possible trees were retained and pruning works carried out

Equipment Used:

21t Excavator with Grapple Saw
Used for tree felling, handling of timber and grubbing out stumps, Capable of handling large tree trunks and branches efficiently, this machine enabled the quick removal of dense vegetation.
Merlo Telehandler with Grapple Saw (29 m reach)
This machine was used to access high trees from level ground and dismantle them section by section. Due to retained infrastructure and access constraints trees could not be straight felled from ground level
Its long/high reach allowed clearance to be completed without the need for aerial works, eliminating the need for any operatives to work from height of accidents and improving overall safety. The grapple saw is able to hold, cut timber and safely lower to ground ensuring material does not ‘free fall’
Liebherr Material Handler with Extension and Grapple Saw (19 m reach)
Similar to Merlo, this machine was used to fell and dismantle trees in difficult-to-reach locations. Extended reach combined with precision handling allowed for effective tree removal while maintaining a safe working distance. Eliminated the need to work at height. The material handler was able to cope with
undulating terrain effectively clearing trees when positioned on the highway surfaces or sloping fields
Menzi Muck with Stump Shear / root rake
Specialist walking excavator for working on steep slopes, and ravines the Menzi Muck was used for clearing stumps where conventional machinery could not safely reach
Forestry Forwarder
Used to transport felled trees, branches and grubbed stumps from the clearance areas to a designated chipping and stump processing area. 8 wheel drive all terrain machine able to self-load and efficiently transport bulk material over awkward terrain, reducing movement by road and minimising disturbance.
Tracked Dumpers
Used to transport grubbed stumps through difficult terrain. Their tracked design minimised soil compaction and allowed them to traverse wet and steep slopes
Crane Fed whole Tree chipper
Processed all trees and vegetation not suitable for the timber trade as biomass. Crane fed machine eliminated the ned for manual handling and operated as a self-contained unit
Slow speed shredder
All stumps were grubbed out, cleaned of excess mud and transport to a stump processing area, Stumps were fed through a shredder, producing a low-grade biofuel for low cost removal from site.
Ground Working Chainsaw Operatives
Ground working chainsaw operatives worked alongside the machinery to fell timber too large for
the grapple saws Chainsaw operatives cut timber into suitable sizes for machinery to move and process

The outcome

Mechanical clearance minimises the requirement for manual operations, is safer and more efficient.
Specialist high reach equipment eliminated the need for high-risk aerial tree felling, significantly
reducing the risk to personnel. The steep slopes presented safety and operational challenges. The specialist equipment used was critical in ensuring safe operations without risking personnel and machinery. The correct selection of specialist machinery made the clearance process safter and more efficient.