Highways Agency

Delivery of the HABAP

"encourages the expansion of valuable neighbouring habitats into agency land"

Implementation

The HABAP will be implemented through three mechanisms:

• local HA verge management practices (TRMM, Route Management Strategies and Environmental Management Plans);
• environmental works associated with road construction, maintenance and improvement schemes; and
• specific biodiversity conservation projects at selected locations.

Specific habitat and species related objectives and targets are included in the individual Action Plans presented in Part B. The following generic objectives apply universally to the work of the Highways Agency in relation to biodiversity. Fulfilment of these will play an essential role in the implementation of the HABAP, and will help with the achievement of the targets set in the habitat and species action plans.

• Develop cost-effective management practices for all areas of the soft estate aimed at the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity in balance with otheruses of the land.
• Set ambitious but reasonable targets (relevant to each area) for the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, in particular for those priority habitatsand species listed in the HABAP.
• Work in partnership with neighbouring landowners and relevant organisations, where appropriate, to optimise the value and efficiency of habitat and species management.
• Take account of all statutory and non-statutory designated sites adjacent to the soft estate, and manage the road verge in these areas in a way thatbuffers and protects them and, if appropriate, encourages the expansion of valuable neighbouring habitats onto Agency land.
• Continue to encourage the creation of diverse habitats comprising native species, particularly in relation to new road schemes and improvement works.
• Continue to develop and introduce effective wildlife protection measures (such as badger fencing, otter ledges, pollution control) as part of new roadschemes and improvement works, particularly for those species listed in the HABAP.
• Continue to formulate best practice guidance (such as the DMRB badger, bat and otter advice notes) for all aspects of the Agency's work in relation tobiodiversity and nature conservation.
• Consider the HABAP when undertaking impact assessments, and mitigate for any unavoidable adverse impacts of improvement or maintenancework on the habitats and species for which action plans have been produced.
• Continue to audit the biodiversity resource of the soft estate, concentrating on targeted surveys for BAPhabitats and species.
• Continue to incorporate existing and future biodiversity information into the Agency's Environmental Database, both to facilitate the consideration of HABAP habitats and species in the impact appraisal process and to help monitor progress towards the achievement of HABAP targets.
• Reduce, where possible, the use of fertilisers, herbicides and other chemicals in the management of the soft estate, particularly in those areas where sensitive habitats and species are likely to be present.
• Continue to promote the awareness of biodiversity throughout the Agency, and publicise both successes and failures to allow staff to learn from experiencesacross the network.
• Publish the results of the 5-yearly HABAP reviews so that progress towards achieving the Government's aims and objectives for biodiversity may be monitored.
• Review the Agency's need for strategic nature conservation advice.