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File ref 236368-ARP-XX-XX-RP-YE-00003 ARUP The Amp Campus
Blythe Gate Mrs Sharon Threlfall, Planning Officer, Hertfordshire County Blythe Valley Park Council Solihull B90 8AE
United Kingdom
via email: Sharon.Threlfalhgdiertfordshire.gov.uk t +44 121 213 3000 cc: [email protected] f +44 121 213 3001
[email protected] www.arup.com
28 August 2014
Dear Mrs Threlfall,
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011
A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) - Environmental Impact AssessmentScreening Opinion Request
Please accept this letter as a formal request from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) for a Screening Opinion in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 (the EIA Regulations).
Hertfordshire County Council proposes to undertake a series of improvement works along the A602 between Stevenage and Ware. In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (EIA Regulations), Part II, Regulation 5, we would be grateful for your formal Screening Opinion to confirm whether the proposed works described in this letter would require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the preparation of a Statutory Environmental Statement (ES) under these Regulations.
This request is specifically in relation to the A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) only. The proposal is shown in drawing number 236368-ARP-ZZ-ZZ-DR-YE-00203 that accompanies this letter.
In support of this request for a Screening Opinion, we enclose the following:
• A plan of the approximate proposed development boundary;
• A briefdescription of the location, nature and purpose of the proposed development;
• A briefdescription of the framework used for establishing whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required; and
• A briefdescription of the possible effects on the environment from the proposed development.
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The site
The AIO Junction is situated at the end of the A602 around I.5km north-west of the centre of Ware, at the intersection between the A602, A10 and B1004. The Westmill Road section of the A602 is situated 0.9km north-west back up the A602 from the A10 junction. Anchor Lane Roundabout is further north-west (I.5km from the AIO junction) along the A602, and allows an intersection between the A602, BI58 and Anchor Lane.
The A602, between the AIO Junction and Anchor Lane Roundabout, is a single two-way carriageway meeting a four armed roundabout at both ends of the section, the Anchor Lane Roundabout and the AIO Junction. At the AIO Junction the roundabout is raised over the AIO and provides single way arms joining onto the Al 0 dual carriageway.
To the south-east of the site is the town of Ware consisting of largely residential, commercial and employment uses, such as Ermine Point Business Park at the Al 0 Junction. Further up the A602, on the Westmill Road section, there is a large gravel extraction works on both the east and west sides of the A602, there are also agricultural fields and sections of woodland, including Westmill Plantation. The River Rib passes underneath the A602 200m south ofAnchor Lane Roundabout; this has a number of associated tributaries, drains and man-made lakes, at their closest 100m from the A602. Westmill Farm is 100m to the west of the Westmill Road Section and there are other sparsely distributed residential properties along the Al 0 Junction to Anchor Lane Roundabout stretch.
There is a grassy verge along the majority of this A602 section, with some sections being tree lined. There are a number of public rights of way within close proximity to the site most notably one of which crosses the A602 100m north-west of the AIO Junction and one ofwhich crosses the A602 150m south of the Anchor Lane Roundabout.
The Proposed Scheme
The proposed A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) will be largely contained within the existing highway boundary over a total area of 6.5 hectares, it comprises the following works:
• Anchor Lane Roundabout
To provide additional capacity, the scheme proposes an enlarged roundabout with all four approach arms widened. The A602 northbound and southbound approaches will have two entry and exit lanes. Anchor Lane and Wadesmill Road will be widened to have two lane entries. A single exit lane will be retained on these roads as this provides sufficient capacity to accommodate the traffic flows.
All of the works proposed are either within the boundary of the existing highway or on a narrow area of land immediately adjacent to the existing highway boundary. The proposed works are considered to be Permitted Development for the County to undertake under their powers as the Highway Authority..
• Westmill Road
The scheme proposes the realignment of approximately 0.6km of the A602 Westmill Road to address the substandard nature of the carriageway alignment, and improve the safety characteristics of this section of the road. The realignment will retain the ghost island right turn lanes which provide access to Westmill Quarry and the household recycling centre.
The realignment is off-line, but remains within the boundary of the existing highway; as such the works are considered Permitted Development for the Highway Authority.
• AIO Junction
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The design will increase the capacity and improve the operation of the junction, reducing the queuing and delays currently experienced on the A602. These improvements include:
a) Partial signalisation of the junction including traffic signals on the A602 approach, and A10 eastbound and westbound approaches;
b) Widening of the A602 approach to incorporate a longer flare for two lanes on entry, and two exit lanes;
c) Widening and realignment of the AIO westbound slip road entry; and
d) Widening of the BI00 I approach and A10 westbound on-slip to incorporate a free flow segregated left slip lane.
The works proposed are either within the carriageway (a) and therefore do not constitute development or within the area immediately adjacent to the highway (b, c, d) and therefore may be considered permitted development.
The A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) should be considered together when considering the EIA regulations. The three engineering elements with this section are considered connected and will be constructed under a single contract to achieve the proposed improvements in this section of the A602. This section is not considered connected or reliant on any other sections of the works considered under the A602 Improvements (Stevenage to/from Ware).
Requirement for an EIA
The EIA Regulations set out a framework for establishing whether an Environmental Impact Assessment is required and therefore whether a statutory ES must be prepared and submitted for approval from the Planning Authority. The Circular 02/99 provides further guidance on ascertaining whether an ES is required.
The process of screening for the need to undertake an ES can be divided into 3 steps:
1. Establish whether the development is listed under Schedule 1 of the EIA Regulations; if so, an ES is mandatory;
2. Establish whether the development is listed under Schedule 2 of the EIA Regulations; that is, does it meet or exceed the thresholds given in Schedule 2, or is it located in a sensitive area (as defined in the EIA Regulations); and
3. If the Development is considered a Schedule 2 development, consider whether it is likely that the development will have significant environmental effects, as defined in Schedule 3 to the EIA Regulations.
As described above, and as part of Step 1, it has been determined that the proposed development does not meet any of the descriptions of developments in Schedule 1 and therefore an ES is not mandatory.
Within 2km of the site the following statutorily protected sites are noted 1:
• 2 sites of special scientific interest (SSSI's) - Downfield Pit Unit 1 and 2 SSSI, lkm to the north-east of the Westmill Road improvement works;
• 2 Grade 11* (the closest, Westmill House, 290m south ofAnchor Lane Roundabout) and 37 Grade II Listed Buildings; and
1 Defra, 2014. MAGIC Interactive Map. Available at http://magic.detra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx
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• Poles Park Grade II Registered Park and Garden, 750m north-east of the Al 0 Junction.
A SSSI is considered as a sensitive area within the interpretation of the EIA Regulations and Step 2 above.
As part of Step 2 the proposed works described above could be considered to fall under Paragraph 10(t) or 13(b) of Schedule 2 to the EIA Regulations. The footprint area of the proposed works exceeds 1 hectare, and the proposal does represent a change / extension to a previous road development that would have fallen under Paragraph IO(t) and has already been executed.
G"iven the above, as part of Step 3 some consideration as to whether the proposed development may have significant environmental effects is required.
The Environmental Aspects of the Proposal
Nature Conservation and Ecology
A site walkover was undertaken by an experienced ecologist within the area to assess its ecological value and to identify potential ecological constraints in advance ofconstruction works.
The area within and directly adjacent to the site comprises the hard standing of the roads and footpaths, mown amenity grassland, mown semi-improved grassland verges, woodland, scattered young and mature trees, scrub, pasture, arable fields and hedgerows of varying age throughout. The site is bound by agricultural land at the northern extent, the AIO and residential and commercial properties of Ware to the south, and woodland and grassland to the east and west.
There are no statutorily or non-statutorily protected sites within or adjacent to the site.
Following the site walkover, the area was assessed as possessing a low ecological value, but with some features which may warrant further investigation prior to commencement of construction to maintain legal compliance only regarding specific species. This can be achieved through adopting appropriate practices during site preparation and clearance works to ensure that the site does not affect potential habitat.
The trees and hedgerows throughout the site have potential to support nesting birds and foraging bats. The risk of causing damage to nesting birds can be mitigated through the timing the site clearance works outside of the bird nesting season, and the impacts on foraging bats can be reduced through reducing night time lighting during works.
It was concluded that with sufficient site preparation works, there would be no significant effects from the proposed works on ecological features.
Air Quality
As part of their responsibility under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995, Hertfordshire County Council has developed an Air Quality Protocol'. The protocol details how the County Council will work with DistrictlBorough Councils in providing them with the data they require for air quality modelling, and any other support the County Council can offer in relation to AQMAs and the production of Joint Action Plans.
The main source of pollutants in the closest AQMA3 (Hertford), 2.5km to the south-west of the A10 Junction, is Nitrogen Dioxide, stemming from roads; however, this scheme is not
2 Hertfordshire County Council, 2013. Protocol for Supporting Districts with Air Quality Related Issues. Available at: http://\vww.hertsdirect.org/docs/pdf/a/AOproto.pdf 3 Defra, 2014. AQMA's interactive map. Available at: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/agma/maps
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expected to affect this AQMA at that distance. There are no other AQMA's in the direct vicinity of the A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware).
As the proposed road works are to increase junction capacity and safety only, there is no further road traffic generated by the scheme and minimal re-assignment of traffic expected as a result of these works.
Air quality impacts from the operation of the proposed scheme are expected to be negligible.
Noise and Vibration
The site is located in a semi-rural area with extensive gravel extraction works covering a large area. The town of Ware at its eastern extremity, with its largely residential, commercial and employment uses. The main sources of noise in the area are traffic noise from the existing A602 road network and construction noise from the gravel extraction works.
The proposed A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) are largely confined within the existing road corridor. Traffic volumes and speeds are not expected to vary significantly.
Predictions of road traffic noise presented within the Environmental Appraisal of the Business Case", show that traffic noise levels resulting from the junction improvements will vary by less than IdB from the traffic noise levels experienced in 2013. Therefore, no significant traffic noise effects are expected.
Given the nature of the development and its purpose being to improve the current efficiency of the junctions and road alignments, and the current level of background noise in the area, the potential increase in traffic and minor works are not considered to represent a significant noise impact.
Landscape and Visual
The proposed site is not located within or adjacent to any national or local landscape designated sites. There is a Tree Preservation Order (TPOi, alongside the River Rib, 200m south ofAnchor Lane Roundabout; however this will not be affected by the scheme. The site is not situated in what would be considered a sensitive landscape. The surrounding area is characterised by residential development, open space and agricultural fields.
The proposed works will maintain the landscape character and be of a similar scale to the existing. The site is an existing road and roundabouts and the proposal will not alter the setting or increase the visual impact. The proposed development remains at the same grade and landscape design to soften the impacts as far as possible will form part of the overall design strategy. The nature works and the landscape design will mean that the scheme will not result in significant effects to the landscape.
Water Resources
The nearest watercourse to the proposed works is the River Rib, passing directly under the A602, 200m south ofAnchor Lane Roundabout. The extent of the Flood Zone (designated as Flood Zone 2) associated with the watercourse is around 100m to the south of Anchor Lane Roundabout.
4 Arup, 2013. A602 Stevenage to Ware Improvements - Business Case. Available at: http://www.hertsdirect.org/services/transtreets/hertsltb/ltbcons/ 5 East Herts District Council, 2014. Online Map. Available at: http://maps.eastherts.gov.ukJeGGP2009/eGGP.aspx?scriptnamc=PLANFLAT&scalc= I000
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There is a Zone 2 Groundwater protection zone" beneath the site and the area is classified as a major aquifer and intermediate groundwater vulnerability zone. There are no substantial ground works such as deep foundations or piling proposed as part of the works and standard pollution prevention methods will be employed during construction to prevent the pollution of groundwater.
The proposed development entails work to an existing road network only, with existing drainage and run-off management design to be developed in line with current highway standards. The development is therefore not considered to pose significant impact to water resources or surface water flooding.
Archaeology and Cultural Heritage
There are the following heritage assets in the vicinity of the site7:
• 2 Grade 11* (the closest, Westmill House, 290m south of Anchor Lane Roundabout) and 37 Grade II Listed Buildings; and
• Poles Park Grade II Registered Park and Garden, 750m north-east of the AIO Junction.
The proposed A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) are contained within the existing highway boundary and will not directly impact the above heritage assets or their setting. It is therefore considered that the proposed development will not have a significant effect on archaeological or cultural heritage resources.
Ground Conditions
Historically, prior to construction, the A602 corridor was agricultural land. Ground conditions from records indicate the area to be underlain by the Lewes Nodular Chalk Formation and Seaford Chalk Formation, the area also has the Lowestoft Formation made up of sand and gravel deposits",
There are landfill records" for the following that lie in close proximity to the site:
• Current authorised landfill at Westmill Landfill Site; and
• Historic landfill at Westmill Tip.
Industrial pollution has occurred in the past at St Albans Sand and Gravel Ltd through waste landfilling'",
The nature of the ground conditions and the upgrade works are not likely to result in the generation of any pollution pathway linkages to sensitive receptors, or generate excessive quantities ofcontaminated water material that will require disposal. Therefore, the proposed development is not considered likely to have any significant effects resulting from ground conditions.
6 Environment Agency, 2014. Interactive Map. Available at: http://maps.environmentagency .gov .uk/wiyby/wiybyController?x=357683 .0&y=3 55134.0&scale=1&layerGroups=defau1t&ep=nlap &textonly=off&lang= e&topic=tloodmap 7 Defra, 2014. MAGIC Interactive Map. Available at http://magic.defra.gov.uk/MagicMap.aspx 8 British Geological Society, 2014. Geology of Britain Viewer. Available at: http://nlapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html 9 Environment Agency, 2014. Interactive Map. Available at: http://maps.environmentagency.gov .uk/wiyby/\viy byController?x=357683 .0&y=3 55134.O&scale= 1&layerGroups=default&ep=map &textonly=ofI&lang= e&topic=tloodmap 10 Environment Agency, 2014. Interactive Map. Available at: http://maps.environmentagency.gov.uk/wiyby/wi)'byContro11er?topic=waste&layerGroups=detault&lang= e&ep=map&scale= 1&x= 357682.99999999994&y=35513 3.99999999994
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Construction Traffic
Construction traffic will use the existing main primary distribution road network. Routes will be detailed in traffic management plans, HCC Network Management and the Police shall be involved in the approval ofthe plans.
Conclusion
The proposed A602 Improvements (Tonwell to/from Ware) will not impact any designated environmentally sensitive or otherwise valuable sites. The consideration of environmental impacts described above concludes that the potential impacts of the scheme are localised and can be minimised through the proposed appropriate design and mitigation measures adopted through construction and operation of the scheme. The proposed works are not likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment and therefore a formal Environmental Impact Assessment as defined in the EIA Regulations is not required.
We would be grateful ifHertfordshire County Council would consider the enclosed information and provide a screening opinion in relation to these proposed works.
Yours sincerely
Dr Chris Stocks Senior Environmental Scientist
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