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On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
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5. Environmental Assessment - 2
5.2.1 Legislative Background
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this scheme has been prepared inaccordance with the requirements of the Highways (Assessment of EnvironmentalEffects) Regulations 1999 (SI No. 369) under the Highways Act 1980. TheseRegulations implement the European Community Directive 85/337/EEC asamended by Directive 97/11/EC.
The EIA describes the main effects of the scheme proposals on both the man-madeand natural environment and the measures taken to reduce adverse effects.Specialist technical reports have been prepared on a variety of environmentaltopics, these are included in the Environmental Assessment Report (EAR).
5.2.2 Methodologies
Guidance for undertaking the environmental assessment of major highwaysschemes is provided in the Highways Agency publication the 'Design Manual forRoads and Bridges' (DMRB), 'Volume 11: Environmental Assessment', includingupdates. Volumes 5 and 10 of the DMRB are also relevant.
The DMRB methodology is intended to provide environmental assessment that is inaccordance with the Highways (Assessment of Environmental Effects) Regulations1999, for schemes promoted under The Highways Act. Section 195 A(2) of the Actrequires:
- "that (having regard in particular to current knowledge and methods of assessment) the information may be reasonably gathered, including at least:
- a description of the project comprising information on the site, design and size of the project;
- a description of the measures envisaged in order to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy significant adverse effects;
- the data required to identify and assess the main effects which the project is likely to have on the environment;
- a non-technical summary of the information mentioned in paragraphs (i) to (iii) above."
The DMRB guidance is the principal guidance used for the evaluation of allenvironmental effects associated with this scheme, whether attributable to the newtrunk road or to consequent changes to the local road network. The environmentaldata from this assessment process is then also used to generate environmentalinputs to the scheme appraisal and some of the appraisal data can expand thecoverage of the environmental assessment, as noted below.
For technical appraisal of the project as part of the process of approving thefunding, the guidance to follow is TAG, the Department of Transport's detailedguidance on the appraisal of transport projects. This updates the previous DETRpublication 'Guidance on the Methodology for Multi-Modal Studies' (GOMMMS)(March 2000), as interpreted by the DETR & HA document 'Applying the Multi-Modal New Approach to Appraisal to Highway Schemes' (the 'Bridging Document')(March 2001). In TAG there are two broad levels of appraisal 'strategy' or 'plan',the level of reporting for this project will be at 'plan' level - previous appraisal workunder CHUMMS was to 'strategy' level.
Most of the environmental data for the scheme appraisal will be provided from theDMRB-based study. However, the TAG approach varies in its scope and analysisfrom DMRB for some topics; this additional data is also reported on in the EAR.The Scoping Report indicated where there would be material included beyond thatcovered by the DMRB.
