Land & Water Group, a leading provider of wet civil engineering services, has received an honourable ‘Performance beyond Compliance’ recognition on behalf of the Considerate Constructors Scheme for its exceptional work overseeing a lake restoration project in South Thamesmead. On behalf of client Peabody, the team at Land & Water completed environmental enhancement works on the lake at the end of June, helping to enhance the area as part of a wider redevelopment scheme.

The project, which was a collaborative effort between the different arms of the Land & Water Group, successfully progressed over the past few months despite the COVID-19 lockdown. The Land & Water team worked efficiently within all government guidelines, whilst meeting specific criteria including ‘Respect the Community’, ‘Protect the Environment’, ‘Secure everyone’s Safety’ and ‘Protect their Workforce’. As a result, the Considerate Contractor Scheme recognition is even more significant to the Group, who have continued to carry out essential works throughout the Coronavirus pandemic

The project is part of Peabody’s wider regeneration plans to create 20,000 new homes, more job opportunities as well as improving the blue and green spaces in Thamesmead. Using their exceptional expertise on site, Land & Water’s team has helped to ensure that Southmere Lake fulfils the requirements of this project, a venture which incorporates a comprehensive 30-year plan.

Land & Water Services worked alongside Terraqua Environmental Solutions (TES) to create five floating islands, reed beds and wetlands, providing much needed habitat in the area. In turn, this has helped to encourage wildlife and improve the ecological status of the lake. These structures promise to help stabilise banks and filter out bacteria, fungi and algae, futureproofing the biodiversity of Southmere Lake. TES has also grown native wildflowers from seed to provide interest and add to the habitat created around the lake. Meanwhile, Land & Water Services has dredged material which will be used to create further reed bed areas, whilst improving navigation within the lake for boating and sailing.

An ornamental fountain has also been installed. This helps to aerate the water of Southmere Lake, improving aquatic conditions. Similarly, the team’s experts have installed fishing platforms to provide safe access and positions from which visitors can enjoy the lake’s exceptional facilities, enriching Southmere Lake in a variety of ways.

Discussing this recognition and what it means to Land & Water, the project’s Site Manager, Andy Mickelburgh, says: “We have all loved working on this project. Contributing to the rejuvenation of this area and the enjoyment it will provide for years to come is something we’re very proud of.

“Every member of our Land & Water Services and TES teams have helped to make this project a success. Using our impressive fleet of plant and vast expertise, we have managed to exceed expectations during a period of adversity and all in a timely manner. To have these efforts be recognised by an accredited body is an accomplishment which the Land & Water Group values immensely. This is a true reflection of the team’s unwavering hard work and determination over what has been, for everyone, a challenging few months. As always, Land & Water has delivered excellence.”

Land & Water has, despite the uncertainty of recent events, enjoyed a successful start to 2020. This lake restoration project is one of many successful projects completed by Land & Water so far this year.