Environmentally Friendly
The Busway runs through areas of natural beauty and protecting and enhancing these areas was important to the scheme. Before starting to build the track 16 new wildlife areas were identified and now provide over 13 hectares of new habitat. Existing habitats were protected by ensuring that any loss and damage to vegetation was kept to a minimum. The impact on the environment was further minimised by using recycled materials whenever possible.
Bio fuel and Euro 5 buses
The Busway’s low emission and bio fuel buses will benefit air quality in Cambridgeshire. Stagecoach’s entire fleet of buses run on 100 per cent bio fuel. Buses that run on bio fuel produce up to 80 per cent less carbon emissions than buses using conventional diesel making them a greener, smarter travel option. The bio fuel is made from food industry by-products and does not use any fossil fuels. Whippet Coaches are the other operator running services on The Busway. Their buses meet Euro 5 emissions standards, the top specification.
Protected Species
Surveys for protected species were carried out before the construction of the Busway began. Appropriate measures were taken to make sure protected species were not adversely affected by the building work. Prior to site clearance the rare plants of spreading hedge-parsley (Torillis arvensis) and twiggy mullien (Verbascum virgatum) were carefully removed. The plants were then cared for by the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge before being planted back in one of the new wildlife areas where they enjoy the ground conditions. One of the biggest environmental achievements has been creating a large new area adjacent to Over Cutting suitable for invertebrates, including the Grizzled Skipper a rare butterfly. The number of Grizzled Skippers nationally has been declining in recent years and it is a very positive sign that the butterflies have already been seen in the new wildlife area. (In May 2009 eggs were found in the new wildlife area meaning they had begun to breed). A number of ponds have also been created for great crested newts that are scarce nationally.
Recycled water
A total of 5,732 pre cast concrete beams have been used to build the guideway. Each beam is 15 metres long and weighs 15 tonnes. They were manufactured at the scheme’s main site in Longstanton. Recycled water was used in all of the concrete production. The water was collected from the guttering on the main shed at Longstanton. It was then stored and subsequently used to manufacture the beams.
Shredded tyres
Nearly 1.8 million shredded tyres fill the spaces along the 16 mile track to help the guideway drain. A mixture of soil, seed and ballast added on top of the recycled tyres to help the grass grow. Shredded tyres are not only an ingenious recycling idea but also comply with European Law; tyres cannot be left in landfill sites and must be recycled.
Wildlife areas
16 new wildlife areas have been created along The Busway route. These have been specifically designed to recreate the habitats that existed along the old railway line. To make sure these areas are a place where animals can thrive the right plants have been selected; landscape features created, such as ponds; and much of the ballast from the old railway line reused. The project enhances the environment and contributes to the aims of the Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Action Plan.