RPS has recently undertaken tree surveys across the entire canal network of land within British Waterways Scotland's (BWS) ownership to identify hazardous trees and specify necessary remedial works The surveys were required for BWS to commence management of trees within its ownership fulfilling the body’s legal obligations as land owner. The tree stock surveyed was of a diverse and varied nature and included veteran trees and areas of lapsed management.

To date the Caledonian, Crinan, Forth and Clyde and Union canals have been surveyed and in addition to the hazard tree surveys RPS has also prepared a management plan for the entire tree stock of the Crinan Canal. This also provided a contract specification, bills of quantities and location plans for the necessary works. The works are ongoing and RPS will be preparing further management plans for all canals in Scotland. Overall the surveys to date have:

• Covered 104 miles of Scotland’s canal network.
• Identified 415 individual trees requiring works.
• Identified 188 tree groups requiring works.

All surveys were carried out by RPS Arboriculturalists who have achieved the Professional Tree Inspector award and have extensive experience in hazard tree surveys. To utilise the data collected all trees surveyed were plotted to a GIS database using sub-meter GPS equipment and details of trees were recorded within the database allowing a range of reports to be easily produced and ensuring all information could be integrated with the clients GIS system.

For more information please contact:
RPS Milton Keynes - Planning & Development
T: +44 (0) 1908 669 898