Highways Agency

Chapter 7 - Environment

10 Year Plan related outcomes:

A reduction in traffic noise benefiting three million people living within 600 metres of trunk roads.

A more effective roads programme, with better evaluation of needs and options, quicker delivery and lower impacts on the environment.

Where the Agency is now

The network can have a major effect on the quality of life of many of those who live close to it, as well as on the environment. The Agency is addressing these concerns.

Reducing Noise

It is estimated that three million people will benefit from the Agency's commitment to install quieter surfacing on over 60% (4,022 km/2,500 miles) of trunk roads by 2010. This includes the resurfacing of all concrete trunk roads, which are generally noisier than conventional surfaces, using materials and techniques developed from the Agency's ongoing programme of research in this area. Six per cent of the network is already covered with lower noise surfacing.

Other measures to reduce traffic noise include earthen mounds (known as 'bunds'), special acoustic barriers, installing double-glazing and noise insulation. In addition, there is a programme to treat noisy locations from a list presented to Parliament (known as 'Hansard' sites) where they meet specific criteria.

Protecting the environment

Balancing the needs of road users with the need for an environmentally sustainable road network continues to be a high priority, reflected in the Agency's environmental strategy published in 1999, which covers all aspects of the environment including heritage, landscape management, biodiversity and air quality. The Agency is second only to Forest Enterprise (formerly the Forestry Commission) as the largest planter of broad-leaved native trees in the country, with around 1 million planted each year. The Agency is active in supporting EU environmental initiatives and participates in a number of EU research projects.

Environmental measures include:

• Introducing improved environmental appraisal procedures.
• Active biodiversity management across 50% of the network.
• Publication of a biodiversity action plan for 15 priority species and habitats.
• Active landscape management across 75% of the network.
• Investigating drainage outfalls at 58 priority sites.
• Requiring contractors to meet environmental standards.
• Working with local authorities in support of the national air quality strategy. The Agency's measures to reduce congestion (see chapter 4, 'Easing Congestion') will also contribute to improving air quality.

Land and Property Management

Most major schemes involve acquiring land and property, for which compensation is paid. Most of the Agency's current lands work is either on completed schemes or pre-TPI schemes under construction, with only a small proportion related to the current major schemes programme.

The Agency owns around 600 houses, which have been acquired in advance of construction works. The Agency manages this portfolio to minimise the number of unoccupied houses, increase the rental income and safeguard the value of its properties. The Agency is looking to make more of its houses available to social landlords and key workers in areas of housing need and will work in partnership with social housing groups to achieve this. Where necessary, the vacancy targets will be adjusted to allow for any additional time needed to put these arrangements in place.

The Agency's environmental management plans

The Agency is working hard to implement comprehensive environmental management plans across its core network. These are:

Biodiversity: Sets out how the Agency will contribute to the UK's biodiversity strategy through the enhancement and protection of key habitats.

Cultural heritage: Sets out how the Agency will manage the impact of the network on sites of archaeological and historical interest. These plans will be trialled in 2002/03.

Air quality: Sets out how the Agency will contribute to local air quality initiatives where the network is implicated.

Further plans covering landscape/townscape are currently being developed.

Where the Agency wants to be by 2004/05

By 2004/05 the Agency will have:

• made substantial progress towards the quieter roads target with up to 25% of the network resurfaced with lower noise surfacing.
• started a programme of remedial works where justified to manage the impact of water running off the Agency's roads into watercourses.
• implemented an environmental management system (EMS) requiring contractors to meet its requirements or have an accredited EMS of their own and brought more of the network under active biodiversity and landscape management.
• begun to operate cultural heritage and townscape management plans.
• implemented the actions agreed with local authority partners as part of the Agency's contribution to local air quality management.
• made significant progress towards managing the core network in line with biodiversity action plans.
• increased the use of recycled aggregates, and other more sustainable materials.
• continued to meet its land and property-related targets and contributed to wider government objectives on social housing, biodiversity and heritage.

What the Agency will deliver in 2002/03

60% of the network will be brought under active biodiversity management, 85% under active landscape management. The Agency will respond to 95% of consultations on air quality where traffic on its network is implicated, and treat at least three of the sites identified in the list published in Hansard for noise. A trial of cultural heritage management plans will also be carried out.

How performance will be measured

The performance indicators set for the Agency by the Secretary of State are:

Indicator: % of the average annual target based on the environmental programme.

Target: Achieve an average of 95% across the four environmental sub-indicators:

• Air quality: The Agency will respond to 95% of consultations on local air quality plans in accordance with local authority review and assessment programme timescales.
• Biodiversity: The Agency will have 60% by length of the network under active biodiversity management by 31 March 2003.
• Landscape: The Agency will have 85% by length of the network under active landscape management by 31 March 2003.
• Noise: The Agency will treat at least a further three sites from the list published in Hansard on 11 November 1999.

Indicator: % of residential properties owned that are vacant.

Target: Not to exceed 15% of the residential portfolio.

Indicator: % of vacant habitable properties empty for more than six months at the end of the year.

Target: Not to exceed 3% of the residential portfolio.