Bog Restoration Project has its LIFE right on track at Crymlyn.
An NRW project restoring important peatland sites has just reached a significant milestone – successfully reinstating a 1,400m track which will give access to the heavy machinery required to improve a very unique bog.
LIFEquake, funded by LIFE and Welsh Government, hosted by Natural Resources Wales and delivered in partnership with National Trust and National Park authorities in Pembrokeshire and Eryri will benefit seven special areas of conservation with a specific focus on Crymlyn Bog in Swansea.
The track, which cost just under £200,000 and comprises around 6,500 tons of stone is on the site of the former Llandarcy Oil Refinery, which was during it’s time, the largest refinery in the UK.
The many interventions LIFEquake will deliver at Crymlyn include the use of a ‘Pistenbully’ wetland harvester which will now be able to drive directly onto the surface of the bog and remove harmful and invasive vegetation which is currently preventing the habitat from functioning well.
Peatland – a fantastic response to both climate and nature emergencies due to its incredible ability to store harmful greenhouse gasses – makes up 4% of Wales and holds 30% of our land-based carbon. Currently, 90% of Wales’ peatland is in an ‘unfavourable condition’ which is why Welsh Government has recently made an ambitious commitment to triple its peatland restoration targets.
LIFEquake will also improve the hydrology of project sites to allow important ‘bog-building’ mosses to form peat. Supporting famers to enable sustainable grazing will also make good use of the land, control problematic plants and allow the bogs to thrive.
Project team leader Matthew Lowe said:
We are thrilled to unveil the new track at Crymlyn. It signifies an exciting moment in the LIFEquake story because we can now bring in contractors and machinery to make a lasting difference to this precious landscape.
Senior project officer for LIFEquake Gareth Thomas said:
We’re particularly grateful to project stakeholders St Modwen Homes who have been very supportive of this vital piece of work taking place on their land. Enormous thanks also to our contractors and members of NRW’s South West integrated engineering team who have been instrumental in each step of this impressive build.
Here is a short video showcasing the track build (27) Trac yng Nghrymlyn / Crymlyn Track - YouTube