Highways Agency

• M40 Jct 15 (Longbridge)

Ecological Survey

During routine ecological surveys, a large Noctule Bat roost was discovered on the alignment of the original proposals for the new A46 Bypass of the M40 Junction 15. The Highways Agency was advised by English Nature that this is one of the largest Noctule Bat roosts in the country, and that the roost and surrounding habitat should be preserved.

As bats are a protected species there are certain legal requirements that must be followed if they are to be moved to mitigate loss of habitat. There requirements would have delayed the scheme by up to two years, and there would be no guarantee that the bats would move after this period.

As the project was still in its early development, it was decided that realigning the route would be less risky and more efficient than moving the bats.This decision acted as a catalyst for a thorough review of the proposals and, after 5 months, a new option was developed which avoids the bat roost, and in our opinion is significantly better than the original preferred route. The main benefits of the new option are:

• It avoids the Bat Roost.
• It has a longer design life (lasts longer) than the original route;
• It costs less than the original route;
• It takes less land than the original route, and facilitates other environmental benefits;
• Though the bypass will be 200 metres closer to Sherbourne, compared with the original preferred route, the existing A46 will be 100 metres away from Sherbourne, taking a significant amount of traffic away from the village.
• The original preferred route required the construction of a number of large embankments near Sherbourne. These will no longer be necessary.
• The A46 bypass will include a new roundabout to facilitate links to the M40 motorway Junction 15 and the B4463.

A new TR111 form and plan showing the proposed line to be protected has been issued to Warwick District Council in January 2006.

Main Environmental Issues

Overall the junction improvement would have a slight adverse impact on the environment. Where practicable the bypass has been designed to avoid harming the local environment and a range of measures would be put in place to offset adverse effects. The proposals would provide new habitats, reduce the potential for water pollution and provide a new access under the A46 near Sherbourne for farmer's vehicles, equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists. The table in this document sets out the main environmental issues and the effects of the scheme.

Ecology and Nature Conservation - Slight Benefit

The scheme would be located in an area of Green Belt close to the village of Sherbourne, and would affect locally designated 'ecosites', including Sherbourne Meadows and Stream and the Horse Brook. However landscaping and planting would provide mitigation.

Extensive surveys have been undertaken to determine the overall ecological value of the scheme corridor. These surveys discovered a nationally important maternity bat roost in close proximity to the original proposals. This acted as a catalyst to review the scheme and produce the current proposals, which represent the optimum solution to dealing with the problems at the junction. The scheme would have minor effects on species of breeding birds, otters, and fish. Notable flora species, including the Bee Orchid found in the Sherbourne Brook corridor, would be relocated as required. New habitats would be created for protected species where required and new mammal underpasses under the A46 would allow the safe movement of animals across the scheme. New wetland treatment ponds would also potentially enhance wildlife foraging habitat.

Noise - Net Benefit

As the bypass moves traffic away from Sherbourne and the South Warwick development there would generally be a reduction in noise level for houses close to the highway. However, due to increasing traffic volumes on the A429 towards Warwick, there would be a small increase in noise levels along this road, between the Junction and Tournament Field Roundabout.

The houses in Sherbourne facing the bypass would experience a large decrease in noise levels as a result of the closure of the existing A46 and the introduction of earth mounding and fencing.

At the northern end of the scheme, the two gaps in the existing bund would be filled in and a 2m high noise fence placed next to the elevated section of the carriageway. The noise to properties in the Tournament Field area will reduce or remain the same as a result of the scheme.

Air Quality - Overall Benefit

Air Quality in all years assessed is predicted to be below the Air Quality Strategy Objectives and the EU Limit Values for all pollutants.

As the bypass moves traffic away from the residential areas in Sherbourne and the South Warwick Development, an overall improvement in Air Quality is predicted in these areas.

There is an overall improvement in air quality for key traffic pollutants as a result of the scheme. However there will be an increase in emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions will increase by 2.8%. Due to increased traffic along the A429, there will be increases in pollutant concentrations along this road.

Landscape and Visual Effects - Slight Adverse

The proposals would be located in rural land in open countryside close to the village of Sherbourne, within the Warwickshire Green Belt.

The proposals would impact on certain local views from Sherbourne Village. Native planting and earth mounds would be used to mitigate these views between Sherbourne and the new roundabout. Other mitigation measures would include landscape mounding and the re-creation of features common to the local landscape character such as small woodland areas, tree belts and new hedgerow planting. As planting matures, the adverse impacts from the proposals would reduce.

Cultural Heritage - Slight Benefit

A series of archaeological investigations and surveys have been undertaken to ascertain the location and value of archaeological sites. No sites of national or local heritage importance would be affected by the proposals. Further assessment and surveys would be undertaken prior to construction. The scheme would indirectly affect the setting of Sherbourne Village and one listed building.

Water Quality and Drainage - Slight Benefit

A new drainage system would be provided to drain the highway runoff, which will discharge via five storm water wetlands into the local watercourses. These wetlands will store storm water from the road drainage, and release it into the local watercourses at a controlled rate. These ponds also include wetland planting that treats road runoff to remove pollutants. All wetlands will be equipped with spill containment storage, which will enable accidental spillages on the highway to be trapped prior to reaching the local watercourse.

The existing A46 culvert on Sherbourne Brook near Sherbourne would be modified and flood compensation areas would be identified to reduce existing flood levels. The Horse Brook culvert and the unnamed watercourse would be made more natural, with the inclusion of pools, riffles and meanders.

Pedestrians,Cyclists, Equestrians and Community Effects - Slight Benefit

One footpath (WB16) crosses the A46 at grade to the west of Sherbourne along the line of Sherbourne Brook. The scheme would close this crossing and create a combined farm access and bridleway under the new Sherbourne roundabout, to link in with the footpath and the B4463. This would create a safe link with the village of Sherbourne for farm vehicles, equestrians, pedestrians and cyclists needing to cross the A46.

Facilities for public transport would be maintained by creating a new bus layby south of where the Sherbourne Access Road links with the new A46 Bypass.

Vehicle Travellers - Large Benefit

Overall, it is anticipated that road users would experience a significant improvement from reduced congestion and improved traffic flows around the junction.

Without the scheme, future levels of driver stress are predicted to increase along with congestion. The landscape proposals and planting would create a setting in keeping with the local landscape character.

Land Use and Agriculture - Slight Adverse

The construction and operation of the proposals would not require the demolition of any commercial buildings or residential properties. However the Budbrooke Accommodation Bridge is redundant and therefore would be demolished as a part of the scheme.

Approximately 20 hectares of agricultural land would be required for the scheme, which would affect three farm businesses. Movements of farm vehicles, and alternative accesses to land would be provided through provision of new underpasses and access tracks.

Areas required for temporary works during construction of the scheme would be restored for agricultural use on completion of the works.

Disruption During Construction

Construction would take up to two years and is currently programmed to begin late-2007. We would minimise disruption to traffic during construction by building and opening the bypass before starting the major works on the M40 Junction 15. The Contractor’s vehicles will be restricted to agreed accesses, major highways, purpose built and temporary routes adjacent to the works.

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) would be implemented to manage the effects of construction, noise, vibration and dust. The CEMP would also identify works needed to protect wildlife habitats and prevent pollution to watercourses. Access to farms, and to public footpaths would be maintained wherever possible.

Surveys, prior to construction, would confirm previously identified protected species and where necessary these would be relocated.

Policies and Plans - Benefit

The proposals would affect the implementation of a number of polices with mixed effects. In total 105 policies would be affected by the scheme, 34 policies would benefit, and there would be an adverse effect on 16 policies.

In general, key transport, economy and community severance policies would be beneficially affected through the alleviation of congestion, and other adverse environmental impacts associated with traffic in settlements. Greenbelt policies would be adversely affected by the proposals. Other environmental policy including climate change, the countryside, heritage and biodiversity issues would also be affected by the scheme.

In terms of compliance with other governmental policy, the overall rating is Beneficial.

Lighting

The revised junction 15 would be lit in a similar manner to the existing roundabout. The Sherbourne Roundabout and link road would be lit with 12m high lighting columns at approximately 35m centres. This lighting will be mitigated through bunding and landscape screening in the area west of Sherbourne.