Highways Agency

Non-technical Summary of the Environmental Statement

Introduction

The Highways Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, has published details of its proposed bypass for the A38 at Dobwalls.

The Published Scheme is based on the Preferred Route, which was announced by Ministers in May 2003. The announcement of the Preferred Route followed Public Consultation in 2002 and 2003 at which 95% of respondents supported, in principle, a bypass to the north of Dobwalls. Since that time there have been minor amendments to the Scheme in response to comments made, including moving the Dobwalls Roundabout further away from the western edge of the village.

The Published Scheme takes the form of draft Orders under the Highways Act 1980 and is supported by an Environmental Statement. The draft Orders show the line of the bypass, the new A390 Link and alterations to the existing A38 and side roads. They also show the extent of land needed to build the Scheme. The Environmental Statement contains the findings of a detailed study of all environmental aspects of the Published Scheme.

This leaflet describes the Published Scheme proposals and summarises the Environmental Statement which has been published in accordance with Directive 97/11/EEC as applied by Section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 as amended.

Why the scheme is needed

The A38 Trunk Road links mid-Cornwall to Plymouth and is one of only two trunk road routes to Cornwall. Between Plymouth and Liskeard the A38 is high standard dual carriageway over much of its length. However, at Dobwalls the trunk road is a single carriageway, with an additional lane only on the short, uphill section on the eastern approach to the village.

On a daily basis and particularly in the summer and at weekends, traffic builds up along this section of the A38 and is often at a standstill. On average, around 21,000 vehicles travel along the road each day, many of which are large lorries. Queues are a regular occurrence.

This level of congestion is not only inconvenient but has a serious adverse effect on the village environment, causing community severance and noise pollution. In addition to the congestion and environmental effects, this section of the A38 has an accident rate that is above the national average for this type of road.

A bypass of Dobwalls would reduce traffic through the village by about 90%. This would secure substantial improvements for the majority of residents by alleviating the current congestion and consequently reducing severence and the number of accidents.

Route options

Since 1987 a number of bypass options have been considered, both to the north and south of the village. The various options were appraised and compared in terms of their performance, including environmental factors. The route now being taken forward was the result of this selection process. A major factor in the selection of the Preferred Route was the need to minimise adverse effects on the environment, particularly on the East and West Looe River tributaries and also to avoid the Area of Great Landscape Value in the vicinity of High Wood.

The published scheme

The Published Scheme would comprise a 3 kilometre dual carriageway bypass to the north of the village, together with single carriageway side roads and junctions. At the western end of the bypass, a new roundabout (Dobwalls Roundabout) would provide connections to Dobwalls village, the A390 to St Austell and the continuation of the A38 Trunk Road to Doublebois. This roundabout would be the only section of the Published Scheme to have street lighting.

• Non-Technical Summary Aerial Plan 

Between the Dobwalls Roundabout and the existing A390 at Treburgie Water a new single carriageway would be constructed on embankment. This 'A390 Link' would be approximately 1 kilometre in length and would include an improved junction arrangement at the Treburgie Water Industrial Estate. A new bridge would carry the A390 Link over the London to Penzance railway line.

From the Dobwalls Roundabout heading eastwards, the bypass would run in a cutting north of the village and would cross both Coldwind Lane and Havett Road. Coldwind Lane would be closed but a bridge would be provided over the bypass at Havett Road. From Petersfields to Lantoom Quarry, the bypass would be on an embankment next to the Blackwater Stream. The bypass would then generally follow the line of the existing A38, partially in cutting, to join the existing dual carriageway at the Moorswater Industrial Estate.

At the East Looe River, the existing culvert would be extended beneath both the bypass and the new Moorswater Collector/Distributor Road.

Two new junctions would connect the dual carriageway with the local road network. One would be located immediately east of Dobwalls and would link into the westbound carriageway of the bypass. The other, at Looe Mills, would connect with the eastbound carriageway via a new bridge over the bypass.

In addition to the bypass and the A390 Link, a further single carriageway road, the Moorswater Collector/Distributor Road, would be built. This road would run parallel to, and south of, the bypass, connecting Dobwalls to the Moorswater Industrial Estate. The existing A38 would be downgraded and would provide local access to Dobwalls and the Moorswater Industrial Estate.

Measures to reduce environmental effects

The Published Scheme has been designed to reduce, as far as practicable, damage to the environment whilst still satisfying other factors such as road safety, engineering design and cost issues. Aspects of the Scheme design aimed at reducing environmental effects include the following:

• Avoiding the Area of Great Landscape Value
• Blending the A390 Link embankment into the landscape and returning as much of the temporarily disturbed land as possible to agriculture
• Minimising land-take, the effects on private property and farm holdings and providing replacement farm accesses where appropriate
• Reducing noise from traffic by providing earth mounding where possible and by using low noise road surfacing
• Incorporating control measures to minimise the risk of pollution to surrounding watercourses
• Minimising disturbance to wildlife, protecting and enhancing existing habitats and species, and creating new habitats where practicable, such as the provision of wetland habitat specifically for foraging bats
• Maintaining and improving provisions for pedestrians and cyclists
• Recycling and re-using material to avoid the creation and disposal of waste.

Landscape effects

The design of the Published Scheme aims to integrate the new bypass into the landscape as far as possible.

The area of land from where the new road and its traffic would be visible would be largely restricted to within about a kilometre of Dobwalls, with a few longer distance views from the surrounding countryside.

Substantial impacts would occur at the western end of the Scheme where the new A390 Link embankment would be built across the railway. There would also be local impacts on the steep hillside in the vicinity of Petersfields and Tuelmenna Wood.

Whilst some lengths of Cornish hedge and pockets of tree cover would be lost, there would be substantial areas of new planting along the route corridor.

When construction is finished the visual effects of the new road and its traffic would progressively reduce as the new tree and hedge planting becomes established.

The character of the village and the setting of properties adjoining the existing A38 would benefit from the significant reduction in traffic through Dobwalls.

Ecology and nature conservation

The Published Scheme would not affect any sites designated for their conservation value. Most of the Scheme would pass through an agricultural landscape, typically characterised by small fields of improved pasture and enclosed within a network of Cornish hedges. These hedges are of both ecological and historical significance and the Scheme has been designed to minimise the number that would be lost or severed.

There would inevitably be some loss of sensitive habitat including stretches of the tributaries of the West Looe River and East Looe River and small areas of woodland. However, the loss of these habitats would be offset by the creation of new lengths of open watercourses, Cornish hedges and tree planting.

Measures would be taken to reduce the effects of the Scheme on species. These would include, for example, the provision of safe crossing points for otters and badgers, together with wildlife fencing to prevent animal casualties on the new bypass. Three bat crossing points have been incorporated into the design to mitigate severance of bat flight paths.

Water quality and drainage

The Published Scheme crosses the East Looe River and tributaries of both the East Looe River and West Looe River.

The Scheme design would minimise disruption to natural water movements and ensure continued supply of water to the ecologically sensitive watercourses.

To protect the sensitive water environment, extensive mitigation measures would be put in place. In particular, the road drainage would avoid any direct discharge to the rivers. Instead water would be channelled into attenuation ponds where sediment would settle before discharge into the local watercourses. This would improve the current situation where water from the existing A38 does not undergo any form of treatment before discharge.

The flooding regime of existing rivers and watercourses would not be significantly affected by the proposals.

Land use

The Published Scheme has been developed to minimise, as far as possible, the area of land that would be taken permanently. Overall, the construction of the Scheme would result in the loss of about 35 hectares of agricultural land. Of this, about two thirds would be classed as higher quality with the remaining third as lower quality. Fifteen agricultural holdings would be affected by loss of land.

New access routes would be provided in order to minimise long term disruption and to provide safe access arrangements for farmers whose holdings would be affected by the new road.

Noise and air quality

When the new bypass is open to traffic, earth mound screening and a low noise road surface would help reduce the effects of road and traffic noise. Overall the Published Scheme would reduce noise in Dobwalls village. However, a small number of properties close to the new road would experience a significant increase in noise levels.

Long-term impacts on the local and regional air quality are not expected as a result of the Published Scheme.

Pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians and community effects

Three residential properties would need to be demolished to allow the Scheme to be constructed. Other properties to be demolished include the disused "Looe Mills Eating House", a disused public toilet block, a barn and a stable.

There would be no loss of development land or land allocated for development as a result of the Scheme.

The removal of through-traffic from Dobwalls would significantly reduce community severance and improve conditions for local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists in the village.

Two public footpaths would be severed by the Published Scheme but would remain accessible by means of a permanent footpath diversion. Three local roads would be closed to traffic: Tammeys Lane, Coldwind Lane and the existing lane east of Lantoom Quarry to North Boduel. Tammeys Lane would remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians and access to adjacent fields would remain for farm vehicles. For Coldwind Lane, an alternative route for non-car road users would be provided on the north side of the bypass from Coldwind Lane to Havett Road.

Approximately 2.5 kilometres of new combined footway/cycle track would be provided and existing cycle routes would remain open.

No bridleways would be affected by the Scheme.

Cultural heritage

The Published Scheme would avoid known archaeological monuments, sites and findspots. There would be no impact on the regionally important industrial remains within the Moorswater Industrial Estate.

The Grade II listed milestone on the existing A38 immediately east of Dobwalls would be temporarily removed to avoid possible damage during nearby construction works and replaced when the works are complete. There would be no significant effect on the Grade II listed Toll House at Looe Mills.

There would be some loss of Cornish hedges leading to a dislocation of field patterns that were established before the mid 19th-century. Archaeological investigation would be undertaken prior to and during their removal.

A programme of monitoring and investigation prior to and during construction would be carried out to record any previously undiscovered archaeological deposits or features that might be encountered. Details of any significant archaeological finds would be published.

Construction

Construction of the new road would take approximately 18 months. During this time there would be some disruption to local residents, road users and wildlife.

A Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) would be prepared prior to the start of construction. It would be implemented to control construction activities, protect sensitive areas and restrict disturbance to reasonable levels.

Controls would be applied to limit noise, dust and vibration, protect water quality, manage waste and protect flora and fauna during construction. In liaison with the relevant statutory authorities, monitoring would be undertaken during the construction period to ensure the effectiveness and success of the control measures.

Traffic on the existing A38 and A390 would be maintained in each direction throughout the construction period to minimise disruption to road users.

Arrangements would be made to inform local residents and businesses of progress being made on the Scheme and notice would be given in advance of any works likely to be particularly disruptive to local traffic movements.

Vehicle travellers

There would be a range of new views for travellers on the bypass and the A390 Link. Driver stress would be reduced due to the improved safety, reduced delays and improved time reliability.

Further information

The draft Orders and Environmental Statement can be inspected free of charge during normal office hours at the following locations until Friday 29th April 2005.

• Highways Agency Information Point
  5th Floor, 123 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9HA
• Highways Agency
  Area 2/26H, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6HA
• Cornwall County Council,
  County Hall, Treyew Road, Truro
• Cornwall County Council,
  Central Group Centre, Castle Canyke Road, Bodmin, Cornwall
• Caradon District Council
  Luxstowe House, Liskeard, Cornwall
• Liskeard Library
  Barras Street, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 2JX
• Bodmin Library
  Lower Bore Street, Bodmin, Cornwall, Cornwall
• The Memorial Hall,
  Dobwalls, Cornwall
• The Highwayman,
  Dobwalls, Liskeard, Cornwall PL14 6JD
• Goverment Office for the South West,
  Mast House, 24 Sutton Road, Plymouth, Devon, PL14 OHJ

Copies of the Environmental Statement can also be purchased from the Highways Agency at the address below, at a cost of £20 for Volume 1 (text), £30 for Volume 2 (text) and £50 for Volume 3 (figures) (paper copies). Alternatively all three volumes may be purchased in electronic format on CD at a cost of £10. These costs cover printing or copying only.

Your views

If you wish to support, comment on, or object to the draft Orders, or comment on the Environmental Statement you should write, not later than Friday 29th April 2005, to the Highways Agency at the address given below:

Highways Agency
The Dobwalls Project,
Area 2/26H,
Temple Quay House,
2 The Square,
Temple Quay,
Bristol, BS1 6HA

What happens next

Depending upon the nature and number of objections received, a Public Inquiry may be held before an independent inspector. If a Public Inquiry is to be held, all those who have responded will be notified individually of the date and venue at least six weeks beforehand and notices will appear in the local press.

All comments received will be made available to the Inspector who may decide to make them public.

Public exhibition

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held at the Memorial Hall in Dobwalls. Representatives from the Highways Agency, its contractors and its consultants will be present to answer questions. Admission to the Exhibition will be free.

The Exhibition will be held at the Memorial Hall in Dobwalls on:

• Friday 4th February 2005: 10am to 8pm
• Saturday 5th February 2005: 10am to 4pm