Highways Agency

A21 Lamberhurst Bypass

Environmental Statement - Non Technical Summary

This non technical summary relates to proposals for a land bridge which were approved following a Public Inquiry in 2002

Background to the Proposals

Details of a scheme for the bypassing of Lamberhurst were published in the summer of 1992 and after a Public Inquiry in December of that year were approved in 1996. This is known as the Approved Scheme.

The scheme was reassessed in the Government's 1997 Roads Review and subsequently included in the Targeted Programme of Improvements with award of contract scheduled for the financial year 2001/2002.

In early 2000 the Highways Agency recommenced preparation work on the Approved Scheme. As part of this process, discussions were initiated with a number of affected parties.

In the discussions that followed, the National Trust expressed concern that the Approved Scheme would sever the existing access and isolate a small area of land including the west lodge from the rest of the estate. The scheme would provide a new access drive directly off the southern roundabout, giving the National Trust the opportunity to build a new lodge alongside.

The National Trust asked if the Highways Agency could look at enhancing the mitigation being provided for the Scotney Castle Estate and in particular, consider whether the line and character of the historic access drive into the estate could be maintained by the provision of a bridge over the bypass.

A feasibility study was carried out into this proposal, following which, the Transport Minister agreed that the concept should be developed in further detail to form the proposals for a modified bypass scheme.

The Proposals

The intention of the proposed scheme is to allow the access drive onto the Scotney Castle Estate to remain on its current alignment. This would be achieved by the provision of a bridge where the drive crosses the bypass, about 40 metres north of the edge of the southern roundabout.

The bridge would be detailed as a land bridge, which means that it would be able to carry soil verges sufficient to support the growth of significant screening vegetation on its deck. The land bridge to maintain the access drive would be 30 metres wide at its narrowest point and would support a landscaping soil bund, 1.5 metres high, on each side of the drive, on which shrubs and small trees would be planted. The main function of the bridge would be to provide access to Scotney Castle but in achieving this it would also provide a wildlife corridor and allow the landform over the bridge to naturally link the two sides of the Bypass cutting. The bridge would be curved in both plan and elevation. The artist's impression gives an indication of the appearance of the land bridge.

There would be no need for the new access drive off the southern roundabout, although an access off the roundabout would be required to serve the National Trust's timberyard and the adjacent residential properties in the Ruffets woodland. There would also be no need to build a new lodge at the new entrance to the estate.

The existing drive to Scotney Castle would become two way in the proposed scheme and therefore the current layout of the junction with the A21 would not be acceptable for reasons of safety because of the very poor visibility on the bend.

A new junction layout has been designed to address the safety issues. The principal change compared to the existing junction layout is that the B2169 - A21 south of the junction would become the through route.

The duration of the construction works would be approximately two years. The start of construction depends on the progress of the statutory procedures.

Environmental Effects

The proposed scheme has been designed to minimise, as far as possible, any adverse effects to the environment whilst still considering other factors such as road safety, engineering design and cost.

Heritage

• Maintains the historic link between Scotney Castle and its lodge along the line of the existing access
• Reduces the intrusion into the historic estate by the alternative Scotney Castle access provided as part of the Approved Scheme
• Eliminates the need for a new lodge

Ecology

• Provides a wildlife corridor linking severed parts of the Ruffets woodland
• Results in temporary and permanent loss of habitat for protected species (dormice, reptiles and great crested newt territory)
• Results in temporary loss of 265 metres of native hedgerow
• Reduces loss of trees in the Ruffets and intrusion into the pasture by the provision of the alternative Scotney Castle access as part of the approved scheme

Traffic, Noise and Air Quality

• Slightly increases traffic local to the modified Scotney Estate entrance

Drivers, Cyclists and Pedestrians

• Maintains existing access for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
• Maintains the 'visitor experience' for those approaching Scotney Castle

Landscape and Visual Effects

• Introduces a new engineered structure and junction in the landscape of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• Results in the loss of 3450 square metres of land south of the existing A21, not previously affected
• Results in the partial loss of a recently planted tree belt
• Results in lighting for the southern roundabout extending slightly further north than for the Approved Scheme
• Increases visual impact for properties in the vicinity of the revised junction
• Reduces visual impacts and impact on landscape character associated with the access for the Approved Scheme

Purpose of the Environmental Statement

This web site describes the proposals and summarises in non-technical language the Environmental Statement which has been published in accordance with EC Directive 85/337/EEC, as amended by Directive 97/11/EC as applied by Part V of the Highways Act 1980.

The Environmental Statement has been prepared to assess the environmental effects likely to result from the implementation and operation of the proposed scheme. At the same time a draft Side Roads Variation Order and draft Compulsory Purchase Order will be published under provisions of the Highways Act 1980.

Relationship of the Proposed Scheme to the Approved Scheme

The current Environmental Statement concerns issues relating solely to the proposed scheme. It does not re-visit issues that were addressed in the assessment of the approved scheme that was the subject of the 1992 Public Inquiry.

As part of the routine development of the approved scheme, a number of further studies have been undertaken. These studies would have taken place prior to construction of the bypass in any event. In particular the studies have included updating the traffic survey data to take account of current trends and a detailed route-wide review of ecological issues to embrace developments in National and European legislation since 1992. A number of protected species have been identified and mitigating measures are being enhanced where required. This latest data will be used to inform the Environmental Statement, although it is not intended to publish this additional work where it does not form part of the modifications forming the proposed scheme for the land bridge.

Relationship of the Proposed Scheme to the Approved Scheme

The current Environmental Statement concerns issues relating solely to the proposed scheme. It does not re-visit issues that were addressed in the assessment of the approved scheme that was the subject of the 1992 Public Inquiry.

As part of the routine development of the approved scheme, a number of further studies have been undertaken. These studies would have taken place prior to construction of the bypass in any event. In particular the studies have included updating the traffic survey data to take account of current trends and a detailed route-wide review of ecological issues to embrace developments in National and European legislation since 1992. A number of protected species have been identified and mitigating measures are being enhanced where required. This latest data will be used to inform the Environmental Statement, although it is not intended to publish this additional work where it does not form part of the modifications forming the proposed scheme for the land bridge.

Public Exhibition

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held at Lamberhurst Primary School on 9th and 10th November 2001. Plans and general details of the proposals, together with proposed measures to reduce the environmental impact, will be on display. Representatives of the Highways Agency and their Consulting Engineers will be available to explain the proposals and answer questions.

Further Information

The Secretary of State has published a draft Side Roads Variation Order under the Highways Act 1980. The draft Order varies the previously confirmed proposals and includes details of alterations to existing roads at the A21/B2169 junction, public rights of way and private means of access. A draft Supplementary Compulsory Purchase Order for all the additional land required for the revised scheme will be published shortly.

Copies of the draft Orders and their accompanying plans, the statements explaining the proposals and the Environmental Statement, together with the previously made Side Roads Orders to be varied may be inspected at the following locations from 26 October 2001 until 7 December 2001:

• Highways Agency Room G/44, St Christopher House, Southwark Street, London, SE1 0TE
• Highways Agency Operations Directorate, Federated House, London Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SZ
• Kent County Council Highways Information Centre, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent
• Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Tunbridge Wells Library Reference Library, Mount Pleasant Tunbridge Wells, Kent
• Lamberhurst Sub Post Office High Street, Lamberhurst, Kent

Copies of the Environmental Statement may be purchased from the Highways Agency's Dorking Office: Environmental Statement Volume 1 (£15.00) and Volume 2 Specialist Reports (£25.00).

What Happens Next

Depending on the nature of the comments received to the draft Orders a Public Inquiry may be held before an independent Inspector appointed by the Lord Chancellor. If a Public Inquiry is held, all those who have responded will be notified individually at least six weeks beforehand and notices will appear in the local press. (Note, a Public Inquiry was held in 2002)

All comments received will be made available to the Inspector who may decide to make them public. Publicity will be given to alternative proposals received. The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions will consider the Inspector's recommendations and decide on the way forward.

Booklets explaining the compensation rules can be obtained free of charge from the Highways Agency at the address in Dorking given above.

Map showing location of bypass

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• West Side
• East Side

Typical section on land bridge

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Typical section on B2169 near junction with A21

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Diagram of land bridge

Artist's impression of the land bridge