Highways Agency

Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Introduction to the a10 scheme

Introduction to the A10 Scheme

The A10 Wadesmill, High Cross and Colliers End Bypass is part of the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements. It will provide a much needed alternative route for over 16,000 vehicles that presently pass through these villages each day.

The majority of dwellings within these villages are adjacent to the existing road and comprise a significant number of Grade II and III Listed Buildings. The new road will reduce the volume of traffic travelling through the villages by over 85%.

In February 2002, the Joint Venture team of Hertfordshire-based contractors Fitzpatrick and Lafarge were awarded this £25m Design and Build Contract.

Together with our design partner, URS Corporation Ltd, the team has developed a scheme that will not only resolve the area's congestion problems, but will also deliver a project that is sensitive to the natural and cultural heritage.

The construction team and the designers who support them are committed to this contract and the delivery of a scheme that we hope will surpass the local communities' expectations.

The scheme will involve:

• The construction of 7.5km of dual carriageway, requiring 140,000m² of road surfacing 13km of drainage channels 700,000m³ of earthworks.
• A road bridge over the River Rib, together with 8 other bridges, underpasses and culverts.
• The planting of approximately 160,000 trees and shrubs, together with the establishment of 6 new wetland areas, including habitat creations for wildlife affected by the scheme.

The existing problems are:

The Existing Problems are:

Safety

• Speeding motorists
• High volume of Heavy Goods Vehicles using the existing A10 route and passing through the villages.
• Close proximity of dwellings and schools to such a heavily used road.

Pollution and the Environment

• Significant vibration and noise pollution produced by vehicles and affecting residents.
• Poor air quality and carbon dioxide emissions from exhaust fumes.

Congestion

• Over 16,000 vehicles use the existing route every day causing traffic jams, particularly during commuter hours, which significantly increase journey times.

The scheme solutions are:

The Scheme Solutions are:

Safety

• Provide a route that will take Heavy Goods Vehicles away from the villages and will return the existing A10 to the local community

Pollution and the Environment

• The new route incorporates cuttings, mounds and noise barriers to minimise noise disturbance.
• Improve air quality in the villages.
• Create an environment that will encourage the local ecology to flourish.

Congestion

• Through traffic is diverted from the villages, returning the A10 to the local community.
• Reduced delays and disruption to through traffic.

Ecology

Ecology

Biodiversity is a term used to describe the variety of life on Earth. The conservation of a complex system of habitats and species is essential to maintain the ecological health of the planet.

The Highways Agency is committed to contributing to UK conservation targets through its Biodiversity Action Plan.

The A10 Team employs professional ecologists to ensure the effects on local wildlife are minimised and to identify opportunities to bring benefits to the area. Some examples of the work we are doing for wild animals are given below:

Deer & Badger...

are both species capable of covering large distances in a single day. The new road crosses several of their paths and these are to be maintained by building tunnels and ledges, and erecting badger and deer fence to prevent accidents involving these animals.

Otter...

have not yet spread along the River Rib as far as the new A10 bypass but we are building a new home (an otter holt) ready for them to use should they appear in the future. We are also ensuring that otters don't come to harm on the new road by installing otter-proof fencing. New places for otters to mark their territories with droppings (spraints) are also being provided.

Bats...

depend heavily on suitable locations to roost close to good feeding areas. Our road design includes provision of an underground 'bat cave' close to the River Rib where bats currently feed. In addition special roosting boxes are to be attached to trees in woodland areas near to the route where new ponds and wetlands will provide abundant insect life for bats to feed on.

Reptiles & Amphibians...

have been rescued and transferred from the route of the bypass prior to construction work.

Over 1.5km of special plastic fencing has been installed to aid the capture of any reptiles and amphibians (including great crested newts and grass snakes) within the road corridor.

All captured animals have been taken to safe habitats nearby and we are providing extra habitats for them in which to feed, breed and spend the winter in hibernation.

Invertebrates...

often go unnoticed in large construction schemes but, in consultation with local experts we shall be creating diverse wetlands and wildflower grasslands to encourage local butterflies.

The diverted Barwick

Tributary will include gravels and silts rescued from its original course to promote rapid colonisation of the new watercourse. Old oak tree stumps and logs have been saved rather thandisposed of and these will be allowed to rot naturally in some of our 'habitat creation areas', providing valuable food and shelter for a range of beetles and bugs. In managing the finished road verges and adjacent areas we will encourage minimal use of pesticides and herbicides so that the value to invertebrates is maintained.

Landscaping - planting new hedgerows

Landscaping - Planting new hedgerows

We will plant new hedgerows where possible to replace the ones that have had to be removed to make way for the new road. Hedgerows are an important feature of the countryside because they provide habitat for many species of animals, birds, insects and plants. They provide useful corridors for wildlife to travel across the countryside and great care will be taken to link the new hedgerows to tunnels under the road.

Many of Britain's hedgerows date from the 18^th century when farmers enclosed their fields, although some are much older. The age of a wild hedgerow can be predicted by counting the number of tree and shrub species in a twenty-seven-metre length. As a rule, one species represents one century.

We will try to copy this by planting a variety of different tree and shrub species in the new hedgerows. These will include the following native British species to create a haven for local wildlife and interest for local people:

English Oak

A native deciduous tree that is common in Britain, which can reach heights up to 30 metres. It flowers in May with acorns developing on long stalks in the autumn. These stalks are known as peduncles, which give the oak its other common name of Pedunculate Oak.

Ash

A native, deciduous tree characterised by a long clean trunk and open canopy generally reaching an average height of 25 metres. It flowers in April and is in leaf for a relatively short period of the year from late spring to early autumn. The leaves turn golden yellow in October making the ash an attractive hedgerow tree in the autumn.

Field Maple

A native to Britain, this deciduous tree is often found in hedges leading to its other common name of Hedge Maple. It is a small tree, ranging commonly between 4.5 to 9 metres, although it may sometimes be much taller. It has small flowers, which appear in late April or early May. These develop into winged, hanging fruits, which spiral from the tree in the autumn. It is most noticeable in the autumn when its leaves turn deep orange and red.

Crab Apple

This is a native, deciduous hedgerow tree. It may reach a height of 9 metres, although it is commonly much smaller. Its masses of flowers open in late May. It has rather small apples in September to October, which support many bird and animals.

Goat Willow or Pussy Willow

This is a small tree or shrub, native to Europe, reaching about 10 metres in height. It is probably best known for its catkins, which open on bare twigs in March and April. It is possible to tell the sex of a plant by the colour of these: The males are yellowy and the females are pale green. The leaves are broad and rather wrinkled, with soft grey hairs underneath.

Hazel

This is a common native hedge species, traditionally coppiced for fencing hurdles. In the wild, it forms bushy thickets 4 to 6 metres high and sometimes forms a small tree. The catkins appear in February and March, with the fruit ripening in October.

Common Hawthorn or May Thorn

This is a common native hedge species, growing to a height of about 10 metres. Traditionally, it was cut back and layered to form dense, prickly hedgerows. These form ideal nesting sites for many small birds. It's fragrant pale white flowers appear in masses in early May, giving it its other common name of May Thorn. The dark red fruit ripen in September and support many forms of wildlife throughout the autumn.

Sloe or Blackthorn

This deciduous prickly shrub or small tree is native to Europe. Traditionally, people have gathered its fruits in the autumn to flavour sloe gin. It is a generally small shrub (4.5 metres), but may reach a 6 metre high tree. Flowers open before the leaves in March or early April. The twigs have hard sharp spines.

Did you know....landscaping and ecology

Did You Know....Landscaping and Ecology

1. Two avenues of elm trees which are resistant to Dutch Elm Disease will be planted. Planting such 'Resista' elms will begin to replace these beautiful trees, which were once a common feature in the English landscape.
   
2. The new bypass passes along the boundaries of the Youngsbury Estate, which was designed by Capability Brown. Careful planning has meant that many veteran parkland trees, which would otherwise have been lost, have been retained.
   
3. 160,000 new trees and shrubs of thirty different species will be planted. In addition, 330,000 square metres of grass will be seeded. That's enough for fifty football pitches.
   
4. Many of the existing trees that will be felled will be kept in ecology areas to create habitats for a multitude of fauna and flora. A single mature oak tree supports at least four hundred different species.
   
5. Fifty bat boxes will be provided together with ledges for mammals to pass through all the culverts under the road, bird boxes, an otter holt and even a bat cave.
   
   Bats are more closely related to humans than to mice. There are 16 species of bat in Britain and our commonest bat, the pipistrelle, is only 4cm long and weighs about 5 grams. That's less than a 2p coin! Bats are great for pest control - on a warm summer night a single pipistrelle may eat 3,000 mosquitoes.
   
6. Male great crested newts only have a crest in the spring and summer when it serves to attract females. Over the autumn and winter the crest is absorbed back into the newt's body. Newts may only spend a few months of the year in water, where they breed. The rest of the time is spent on dry land where they shelter underground, underneath rubble and woodpiles and even in cellars. They have been known to travel over 1km from their pond.
   
7. An otter has a very thick waterproof coat to keep out the water and stay warm in winter. The hairs are incredibly fine and there are up to 40,000 hairs in one square inch of otter fur.
   

Did you know - how to build a bridge?

Did You Know - How to build a Bridge?

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Comments and further information

Comments and further information

The Contract was awarded to a Fitzpatrick and Lafarge Joint Venture on the 15th February 2002.

Design work is progressing and construction work has commenced with general site clearance.

The improvement is being constructed for the Highways Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

The Employer's Agent for the Highways Agency is Mott Macdonald who will undertake a monitoring and certification role.

URS are the Contractor's Designer and will be responsible for the detailed design and supervision of the construction of the Works.

A full-time Community Liaison Officer, Shaun Rowberry, will be based on site throughout the contract and will ensure that scheme activities are considerate of the local community. In partnership with the Highways Agency, Shaun will also produce project leaflets and organise further exhibitions as the scheme progresses. Shaun can be contracted on 01920 823714.

During the construction period should you have any queries or complaints, or require any information with respect to the construction works, please contact:

Community Liaison Officer
Shaun Rowberry
Fitzpatrick Lafarge Joint Venture
Site Offices
Junction A10/A120
Puckeridge
Hertfordshire
SG11 1SA

Telephone: 01920 823714

map of the scheme (1.4MB PDF)