Highways Agency

• Introduction
• Ecology and Nature Conservation

Introduction

Non-Technical Summary - February 2005

Introduction

This document presents a summary of the environmental effects of the M6 Extension from Carlisle to Guards Mill, which are set out in more detail in the Environmental Statement (E.S.) for the Scheme. The E.S. has been published in accordance with Directive 97/11/EEC as applied by Section 105A of the Highways Act 1980 as amended. The E.S. supports the published draft Highway Orders and the draft Compulsory Purchase Order which is due for publication in the near future (legal documents which would allow the Scheme to be built). Details of where the E.S. can be seen for closer inspection are detailed towards the end of this summary under the heading of "Further Information".

Why the Improvement is Needed

The A74 between Carlisle to Guards Mill is the last "missing link" in the motorway network between London and Glasgow. This dual carriageway section of trunk road has several minor road junctions and therefore mixes relatively low-speed local traffic with high-speed trunk road traffic. It has a poor accident record and causes driver frustration, resulting from heavy goods vehicles using the outside lane of each carriageway. The upgrade of this section to motorway standard would bring the following benefits to road users:

• a reduction in the number of accidents on the route;
• the provision of more carriageway space for emergency services attending accidents;
• the provision of more carriageway space to enable traffic flows to be maintained following an accident;
• a reduction in driver frustration;
• an improvement in accessibility for users; and
• the provision of more predictable journey times.

The needs of local traffic and non-motorway users would be catered for by building anadjacent all-purpose road (APR) along the full length of the Scheme.

The Scheme

The A74 Trunk Road is a vital strategic road connection between the M6 in England andthe A47(M) in Scotland, and also provides important community links locally. It is proposed to upgrade the existing road from the end of the M6 motorway at Junction 44, Greymoorhill, to the start of the A74(M) at Guards Mill, just to the south of the Scottish Border at Gretna. The length of this section is approximately 8.6km (5.4 miles). The existing trunk road consists of a dual 2-lane carriageway and the proposal is to widen the route to a 3-lane motorway. The route of the Scheme is illustrated on the plan in the centre of this leafl et.

Although the new motorway would generally follow the line of the existing A74, the proposals also involve a number of deviations from this route. The main deviation would be north of the River Esk, where the motorway would follow a line further to the west of the A74, crossing over the West Coast Mainline Railway (WCML) on a new bridge, before rejoining the line of the A74 south of Guards Mill. The Mossband Viaduct (which carries the A74 over the WCML at present) is in poor condition and would be demolished following construction of the new bridge.

A minor deviation is also proposed just south of the River Esk, where the southboundcarriageway of the motorway would follow a line slightly further to the east of the A74,crossing the River Esk on another new bridge. At Todhills, the motorway would also deviate slightly to the west for a short section. Lighting is not proposed along the motorway, however, the services areas would be lit.

A74 at Todhills

All-Purpose Road (APR)

The APR would be located to the west of the new motorway over its entire length and would cater for local traffic and nonmotorised users. Some sections would utilise the existing local road network (mostly at the southern end along Parkhouse Road), whilst others would be constructed across land adjacent to the new motorway. Existing side road accesses on to the A74 would be stopped up, however, the overbridges crossing the A74 would be retained as partof the Scheme. These structures would link in with the APR.

Disruption Due to Construction

The A74 would remain open throughout the construction works, with two lanes of trafficavailable in each direction for the majority of the time, to minimise disruption to vehicletravellers.Any planned lane closures would occur during off-peak periods. However, theworks would require signifi cant quantities of stone and other building materials to bedelivered by road-going lorries. The number of additional vehicles has the potential tocause congestion during the road works. Therefore, deliveries would be carefullyprogrammed to minimise disruption caused to other road users. Vehicles would also berouted to avoid, as far as possible, residential areas, schools, aged person's homes andother buildings with sensitive users. These routes would be agreed with the localauthority prior to the start of construction. Material would be delivered throughoutthe duration of the works and temporarily stockpiled to ease the supply difficulties.Temporary stockpile areas would be located on land adjacent to the A74 which would berequired for the duration of the construction works. Dust and noise generated duringconstruction would be limited by good site management procedures.

Environmental Effects of the Scheme

The Scheme has been developed to minimise its effects on the environment. The keyenvironmental benefits of the Scheme are presented in the table below:

Air Quality, Noise and Vibration

The Scheme would not result in significant increases in roadside levels of air pollutants,such as nitrogen dioxide (a gas emitted from car exhausts) and dust. Therefore, local air quality would still remain within the Government's air quality limits.

Levels of carbon dioxide (the principal "greenhouse gas") would increase by 2% as a result of the Scheme, compared to the future predicted levels without the Scheme. This increase is largely because cars, and to a lesser extent, lorries would be travelling slightly faster on the new motorway, due to the provision of a third lane to each carriageway, relieving some of the current congestion.

In order to reduce the high noise levels currently experienced at residential properties close to the A74, noise fences are to be incorporated at five sensitive locations: Mossband; Metal Bridge; Todhills; Parkhouse Road; and High Crindledyke.

Following their installation, 71 residential properties would benefit from a reduction intraffic noise. If the Scheme did not proceed, and traffic flows continue to grow aspredicted, 100 properties would experience an increase in noise levels. The timing and duration of any noisy operations during the construction of the road would be strictlycontrolled.

Properties at Todhills would benefit from the installation of noise fences.

Cultural Heritage

The Scheme would not adversely affect any scheduled ancient monuments or their settings, including the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site. However, distant views to and from the Registered Battlefi eld of Solway Moss would be slightly affected. No listed buildings would be adversely affected, and the Scheme provides an opportunity to enhance the setting of onelisted building, Floristonrigg Farmhouse through additional tree planting. One unlisted building of potential historic interest, Bents Cottage, would be demolished. This building would be fully recorded by written records, photographs and drawings prior to demolition.

Proposed tree planting adjacent to Floristonrigg Farmhouse would improve the setting of this listed building.