Explanation of the scheme and non-technical summary of the environmental statement

Explanation of the Scheme and Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement

Introduction

The Highways Agency proposes to undertake improvements along a 2.5km stretch of the A14 Trunk Road east of Bury St Edmunds extending from Two Mile Spinney to Home Farm, Rougham, and including Rookery Crossroads. An Environmental Statement, published at the same time as the draft Orders, describes the published scheme, assesses its effects on the environment, and outlines the proposed mitigation measures.

During public consultation in 1994 concern was expressed about environmental impacts, particularly relating to tree loss. The two level junction has been redesigned and is now more compact, less obtrusive and requires less land.

The Environmental Statement is issued in accordance with EC Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by 97/11/EC, as applied by Section 105A of the Highways Act 1980.

This leaflet summarises the contents of the Environmental Statement in non-technical language.

Background

The A14 Trunk Road is a strategic east-west route of national and European importance, linking the east coast ports of Felixstowe and Harwich with the M1 and M6 motorways. The road provides a direct route into Europe for commercial and industrial traffic from the North West and Midlands and carries over twice the UK national average percentage of heavy goods vehicles.

Why Improvements are Necessary

About 31,500 vehicles use this section of the A14 every day and approximately 18% of these are heavy goods vehicles. The line of the A14 through Two Mile Spinney and Rookery Crossroads is poor. In 1991 the central reserve gap at Rookery Crossroads was closed as a safety measure. As a result some local traffic has been forced to divert to longer routes.

This stretch of A14 still has a poor accident record. If the improvements are not carried out, the risk of accidents at the remaining conflict points would increase with the predicted national growth in traffic.

One bridleway and three footpaths join the A14 along this stretch, but users are deterred by the volume and speed of traffic on the trunk road. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are unable to cross the A14 easily at any point along this stretch of road.

The scheme would provide junctions of similar standard to adjacent sections of the A14 and improve the flow of traffic and safety on the trunk road.

The Proposed Scheme

The scheme provides for the closure of the remaining three central reserve gaps, two at Two Mile Spinney and one at Top Gorse, ten direct vehicular accesses onto the A14 and the junction at Two Mile Spinney. The bridleway which joins the A14 west of Two Mile Spinney would be rerouted via a new underpass, below an improved length of A14, to provide a direct link with the local highway network to the south. This would enhance its amenity value and provide a safe crossing point for all non motorised users.

A two-level junction would be provided at Rookery Crossroads. Here the A14 would be raised by 2 metres as it crosses Sow Lane which would be lowered by 4.5 metres. Connecting roads would allow turning movements in all directions. This would provide a safe and direct crossing of the A14 for all users. A footway would be provided on the rebuilt section of Sow Lane.

At Home Farm, three footpaths which join the A14 would be rerouted to use the existing farm bridge, providing a safe crossing point. The existing accesses would be rationalised and improved with new tapers for traffic leaving and joining the A14.

Plan Showing Proposed Scheme and Information about the Surrounding Area

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Summary of Environmental Effects & Proposed Mitigation

Topic Key Issues Key Mitigation Proposed Residual Effects
Policies and Plans Improvement to A14 is specifically included in current central government transport policies and complies with regional and local planning policy. Scheme and associated mitigation measures would ensure compliance with central and local government policies. Completion of scheme accords with key policies.
Air Quality Air quality at properties close to the A14. None identified. Air quality at nearby properties not significantly changed by scheme.
Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Effects on archaeological features. Archaeologists would be present during ground disturbance in areas where archaeology may exist. Mounds at Two Mile Spinney would be further investigated ahead of removal. Slight adverse effect on known archaeological features. Total effect would depend on quality of finds made.
Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Loss of trees at Rougham Heath, Rougham Downs and at Millfield Plantation. Loss of roadside verge. Possible effect on bat roosts in trees. Landscape planting would replace habitat lost with time. Reinstatement of verges with stored topsoil. Bat worker to supervise removal of trees with potential for bat roosts. Slight adverse effect on local ecology resulting from the loss of trees.
Landscape Effects and Visual Impacts Loss of woodland and trees covered by Tree Preservation Order. Carriageway raised at Rookery Crossroads - views from properties and rights of way. Native woodland planting at junction. Integration of exposed woodland edges. Little impact on views from properties and public areas. Planting to develop to screen views.
Agricultural Land Use There would be minimal loss of Grade 3a and 3b land. Provision of new access routes to Rougham Estate. Scheme designed to minimise loss of land. Slight adverse impact in relation to loss of land and economic impacts. Severance would be minimal with beneficial impact as a result of shorter agricultural journeys.
Vehicle Travellers Severance and safety issues relating to difficulty in crossing and accessing the A14. Current poor alignment of A14. Improved alignment of A14 carriageways and improvement of junction layout. Improved access and safety for vehicle travellers. Reduced levels of driver stress and improved journey time reliability.
Pedestrian, Cyclists and Community Effects Severance and safety issues relating to difficulty in crossing A14. Provision of bridleway and underpass at Two Mile Spinney. Safe crossing facility at Rookery Crossroads with footpath on Sow Lane. Footpaths diverted to bridge over A14 at Home Farm and improvements to footpath network. Access across A14 would be improved and severance greatly reduced.
Traffic Noise and Vibration Noise and vibration levels experienced at properties close to the A14. None identified. Noise and vibration levels at nearby properties not significantly affected by scheme.
Water Quality and Drainage Risk of localised flooding, and of pollution incidents resulting from road accidents. Improvements to the road drainage scheme by the installation of new soakaway lagoons, oil interceptors and pollution control measures. Reduced risk of localised flooding and of pollution incidents resulting from road accidents.
Disruption due to Construction Disturbance to local residents caused by vehicles accessing works and by construction activities; risk of pollution incidents resulting from accidents on works sites. There would be some delays to traffic during construction. Implementation of construction environmental management plan to control site activities. A14 traffic flow maintained during construction. Risk of noise and dust nuisance effects for duration of works.

 

 


Explanation of the scheme and non-technical summary of the environmental statement