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Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety of life on Earth. The conservation of the complex system of habitats and species is essential to maintain the ecological health of the planet. In June 1992, the UK became a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, thus making a commitment to conserve and enhance our national ecology.
Why is this an issue for the Highways Agency?
Land owned by the Agency between the highway fences, but not occupied by the road carriageway, is known as the soft estate. This currently represents approximately 30,000 hectares of land, supporting a wide range of habitats. The soft estate owned by the Agency is equivalent in size to the Isle of Wight.
What is the Highways Agency's goal?
The Agency aims to manage the network in a practical way, which promotes the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity. In particular the Agency seeks to manage the estate so as to add to its existing value as a refuge and a linking feature for wildlife.
How is the Highways Agency achieving its goal?
Ecological issues have been incorporated into the management of the soft estate since the late 1970s. In 2000, the Agency set a target to manage the core Agency road network in line with Biodiversity Action Plans. In line with this the Agency prepared its own Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), the HABAP.
As a first step towards developing the HABAP, the Agency established a Biodiversity Partnership of interested organisations, including the Department for Transport, English Nature, the Environment Agency, Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB.
In 1999/2000, the Agency carried out an audit of the existing biodiversity on the soft estate to identify which priority habitats and species identified in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP), are known, or are likely to occur.
The HABAP defines actions and sets targets for the beneficial management of the soft estate and covers the period 2002 - 2012.
Five broad habitat types (woodland, grassland, heathland, boundary features and water features) have been identified. Within each Habitat Action Plan (HAP), detailed actions are provided for relevant UKBAP priority habitats. Twenty species (or groups of species) were identified for Species Action Plans (SAP) and are grouped to relate them to the habitat type with which they are most commonly associated.
Implementation of the HABAP is the responsibility of Agency staff, agents and consultants, across the network working in partnership, where practical, with neighbouring landowners, conservation organisations and other interested parties.
Some key tools for managing the Agency's operations in relation to Biodiversity are as follows:
- Guidance and Specifications
- Environmental and Landscape Management Tools
- Environmental Database
- Environmental Management Systems
- Partnerships
- Route Management Strategies
- The New Approach to Appraisal
- Biodiversity Action Plan
Monitoring Progress
The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for biodiversity from 2003-2007 will be the achievement of targets set in the Highway Agency's Species Action Plans and Habitat Action Plans.
The Biodiversity KPI is set out in the Agency's 2003-4 Business Plan as:
| Objective | Key Performance Measure | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Respect the Environment | Achieve at least 12% of Biodiversity Action Plan extending across 15 targets | At least 95% |
Progress against this KPI will be reported in the Highways Agency's Annual Report.
In 'Strategic Roads 2010 the Highways Agency 10 Year National Road Strategy' the Agency has set 2 targets:
- Manage the core Highways Agency road network in line with Biodiversity Action Plans.
- By 2010 manage the core Highways Agency road network in line with comprehensive Environmental Management Plans.
Case Studies
Moving the mice
A rare protected species of dormouse was found in an area of woodland scheduled for felling as part of the A43 Towcester to M40 dualling project. In consultation with the Forestry Commission, English Nature and the Northamptonshire Dormice group, it was decided to attempt to encourage the dormice to move further back into the wood away from the area that needed to be felled.
The surrounding woodland was improved to make it appropriate dormouse habitat and a phased felling of woodland took place over two years. The disturbance from the work gradually moved the dormice into their newly prepared habitat. English Nature has recommended this strategy for potential use in similar situations.
Beetles get a little help from the Agency
One of Britain's rarest beetles has been found on the A500 Basford-Hough-Shavington bypass near Crewe. Known to breed only in four sites in Cheshire, and around Somerset, the Lesser Silver Diving beetle is now the subject of special protective measures being carried out by the Highways Agency. Unless these measures are successful, the endangered species is threatened with extinction in this country. Further survey work confirms the presence of the beetle and plans are in place to rescue it. These are part of wider measures to protect biodiversity in the north-west, that include work to protect bats and red squirrels, on the Stainburn and Great Clifton bypass.
