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M62 - Your Local History
A lot of finds were uncovered during the archaeological evaluation carried out for the M62 Junction 6 Improvement scheme so we thought it would be nice to provide an interactive website so you can see what we found.
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Soil and Geology
Soil and Geology
Soil is a vital natural resource which is formed over hundreds of years from the erosion of the underlying geological strata, decaying organic matter, water and air. It is the home to a wide range of organisms and performs a range of functions essential to the wellbeing of man kind and the natural and built environment.
The influence of soil and geology in the landscape and land uses around us is evident in the types of vegetation that occur, the habitats that exist and the agricultural activities that they support. However, the publication in 2006 of the European Commission's Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection and, in 2009, the UK Government's Strategy for England Safeguarding our Soils shows that the importance of soil extends beyond what is immediately obvious. Soil has an important role to play in the protection of our surface and groundwater resources, the provision of raw materials and the protection of buried archaeological remains. UK soils also store some 10 billion tonnes of carbon and so soil protection is a vital consideration in the management of climate change.
Managing the impacts of Highways Agency projects on soil
Soil quality and its ability to perform particular functions is under increasing threat from the effects of climate change, intensive agricultural production and industrial pollution. These threats typically arise through erosion, compaction, contamination and organic matter decline.
The construction and operation of the trunk road network can also have an impact on the function of soil and geological properties of an area. These impacts may arise through the physical removal or importation of soils and rocks or the compaction and sealing of the ground during construction. Impacts may also be caused during the operation of the road by the effects of airborne pollution and spray.
Although roads can impact on soils and geology, soil and geology can also impose limitations on road development. This is typically the case where soils and geology in an area are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or where previous industrial activities give rise to geotechnical or geoenvironmental constraints.
Many of the impacts of road projects can be minimised and sometimes avoided by appropriate road design and careful operational planning. Environmental impact assessment is an important aspect of this work and we are currently reviewing our existing assessment guidance on soils and geology to ensure it follows current best practice. We hope to issue this revised guidance in 2011.
