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Related pages

• Why the improvement is necessary
• The local environment
• Options considered
• The proposed option
• Reducing the impact of the proposed option
• What benefits would be achieved
• Landscape effects
• Rejected options
• What happens next?
• Further information

Landscape effects

Landscape Effects

The scheme would affect the Special Landscape Area and Area of Important Landscape Quality. The loss of significant roadside vegetation would be minimised by being retained within widened central reserves. New pine shelterbelts and hedgerows would be planted along some sections of the road to complement the existing landscape. The area is sparsely populated and the impact on views from properties and public rights of way would be limited. 

Land Use

The scheme would result in the loss of some areas of forestry and arable farmland. The overall impact of the scheme on landuse would be slight. 

Water Quality and Drainage

Appropriate measures would be taken to ensure that drainage from the road scheme would not adversely affect watercourses or groundwater sources. 

Traffic Noise and Vibration

With the predicted growth in traffic volume over time, traffic noise levels would increase even if no improvement were to be carried out. No properties would experience a greater increase in noise due to the improvement. Properties in Elveden Village, particularly those alongside the existing A11, will experience a significant decrease in traffic noise. 

Air Quality

Any increase in congestion will result in an increase in air pollution. Therefore the proposals would provide an improvement in air quality, largely because the road is moved further away from property but also due to reductions in congestion. 

Cultural Heritage

The road crosses an area of high archaeological potential, in particular dated to the prehistoric period. Some archaeological sites would be affected by the scheme including historic boundaries, earthworks and cropmarks. The setting of the war memorial Monument would be affected. The scheme would however benefit the Elveden Conservation Area by greatly reducing the volume of traffic in the village. 

Disruption due to Construction

Where the proposed route follows the existing A11, the new carriageway would be built alongside the existing road. Much of the improvement could therefore be built without causing major disruption during construction. Local disruption would occur at points where the new road joins with the old and at bridge locations and junctions. 

Pedestrians, Cyclists and Equestrians

Pedestrian routes within the village of Elveden would be greatly improved by the reduction in traffic through the village. No public rights of way would be directly severed as a result of the proposals. 

Community Effects

Elveden Village would benefit from substantially reduced severance and increased amenity due to the significant reduction in traffic through the village. 

Ecology and Nature Conservation

The scheme moves the road further away from the Rex Graham Reserve Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Narrow strips of grass verge forming part of the Weather and Horn Heath SSSI would however be lost. The SSSIs are also designated as Special Areas of Conservation reflecting their importance at a European level. The A11 passes through a potential Special Protection Area and the proposed option would pass through the Mildenhall Woods County Wildlife Site. A number of protected birds, mammals, reptiles and plants together with a considerable number of deer are known to be present in the area. Careful consideration would be given to minimising the impact of the scheme on ecology and nature conservation and replacing any wildlife habitats that are lost.