Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Ecology and Nature Conservation

Non-Technical Summary - February 2005

Ecology and Nature Conservation

The Upper Solway Flats and Marshes lies close to the Scheme and is protected under UK and European law. It contains one of the largest areas of mudfl ats in the UK and supports several rare species of plants and habitats, as well as large populations of wildfowl and wading birds. The Scheme would not cross the site, and its effects would be limited to noise and visual disturbance to birds during construction works.

The new River Esk bridge would be sensitively designed and constructed. Construction works would be limited to a small area to further reduce the impact of the Scheme on the River Esk.

There are four sites of county wildlife importance in the vicinity of the Scheme. However, only Rockcliffe Moss and Harker Moss would be directly affected, losing just 2% of their areas from the periphery of these sites. The Scheme would, however, offer an opportunity to enhance the quality of these "mossland" habitats (which have become "dried-out") for wildlife by means of raising water levels (see Geology and Soils for further details).

Harker Moss, a site of county wildlife importance.

Several other habitats of local nature conservation value have been identified, including areas of marshy grassland, "important" hedgerows and species-rich verges. In addition, red squirrels, bats, barn owls and reptiles are particularly important species which may be affected by the works. Specific measures are proposed to protect, and wherever possible, enhance the status of these species and habitats.

Adder, a protected species of reptile.

Badger and otter-proof fencing and associated tunnels would be used to guide these species under the motorway, reducing road deaths of these animals to a level well below that on the existing A74. A comprehensive programme would be designed to monitor the impacts of the Scheme on wildlife and the effectiveness of the compensatory measures proposed.

Landscape and Visual Effects

The Scheme is set within a varied landscape, ranging from urban fringe on the northernoutskirts of Carlisle, to areas of lowland peat bog at Rockcliffe Moss and Harker Moss. In particular, the area north of the River Esk has a pleasant quality, comprising estuarinefarmland around the Esk which leads on to the Solway Firth; designated as an Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The Scheme would reduce the adverse effect that the A74 has on the surrounding landscape and views at present. This would be achieved by planting native species of trees and shrubs, which, once mature, would help to blend the Scheme into the landscape and improve the views experienced by nearby residents.

The removal of existing roadside planting at the southern end of the Scheme would openup views of the wider landscape for vehicle travellers. Open and attractive views to thenorth of the River Esk, which encompass the fringes of the Solway Firth and distant viewsof moorland and the Lakeland Fells, would remain available with the Scheme.

Guards Mill, with views across grazing farmland to the Solway Coast AONB.

Illustrative section at Mossband Hall.

Land Use

An assessment has been made of the effects of the Scheme on land used for agriculture,by the community, or by other businesses. The Scheme would not affect any land used by the community, such as the Hespin Wood Travellers' Site or the Kingmoor Nature Reserve on the northern outskirts of Carlisle. Furthermore, the Scheme would not affect any planned developments in the area. A small amount of land would be lost at the Hespin Wood Landfill site. However, this would be confi ned to the periphery of the site and therefore the effect would be minimal. The areas of the site used for landfill purposes would remain unaffected.

The Scheme would result in the demolition of five residential properties and the permanent loss of 40ha of agricultural land. The operations of twelve farm businesses (including full and part-time enterprises) would be affected by the Scheme.

Arable farmland adjacent to the A74.

Vehicle Travellers and Non-Motorised Users

The existing A74 causes high levels of driver stress at times, particularly from slow-moving farm traffic and HGVs in the outside lane overtaking slower vehicles, sub-standard local accesses, and narrow lay-bys. The Scheme would lower driver stress by reducing frustration and improving safety for users of the Scheme.

The existing service areas south of Todhills would remain to provide traveller carefacilities for motorway users. However, direct access to the farm-shop at Floristonwould only be available from the new all-purpose route.

Service areas south of Todhills.

The Scheme would result in one footpath being severed where it abuts and crosses the A74 at Griershill, since pedestrians would no longer be allowed to cross the motorway. However, this footpath currently leads to a "dead-end" at the A74 fence line, and the Scheme would allow its connection back to the existing highway network at Low Harker. No bridleways would be affected. The allpurpose route would assist the provision of the proposed national cycle route, which Sustrans (a charitable organisation promoting cycling) plans to create betweenGretna and Carlisle. This would be achieved by the APR, which would provide cyclists withsafer and direct route between Carlisle and Gretna. The APR would also enable localjourneys to avoid the motorway, providing safe, direct access to schools and other community facilities.

The River Esk crossing at Metal Brigde.

Water Quality and Drainage

At present, drainage water from the A74 flows directly into local watercourses with nopollution control, or containment for accidental spillages. However, under the Schemedrainage proposals, ten new drainage ponds would be constructed to store, clean and control the discharge of road drainage before it enters local streams and ditches. This would result in a net improvement in the quality of these watercourses. During construction, pollution control measures and good site management practices would reduce the risk of local watercourses being accidentally polluted.During the construction of the River Esk bridge, artificial "islands" would need to be temporarily installed within the river channel for the works to take place. These "islands" would be carefully designed, installed in phases and removed as soon as possible to minimise their effect on river levels and flows. Once constructed, the new bridge would not significantly alter the flow or level of the River Esk.

The Scheme would encroach slightly into an area of floodplain between the River Esk and Guards Mill. This would result in a minor reduction in the floodplain's overall capacity to store water during a flood event. However, the effect of this would be minimal, since during a flood, water within the floodplain would only be expected to rise by approximately 1cm as a result of the Scheme.

Geology and Soils

The ground investigation has revealed that there are relatively few contaminated sitesalong the Scheme. Consequently, the risk posed by contaminated land to members of the public and construction workers is low. These risks would be reduced further by the adoption of good hygiene practices and safe-working procedures during construction works.

Groundwater beneath the site would also be protected from pollution during constructionby the adoption of good site management practices.

Ground investigation.

However, there is a minor risk that groundwater could be drawn away from the "mossland" sites (which could further accelerate the "drying out" of these sites) and the landfill sites as a result of the materials used to construct the Scheme. The significance of this risk would be further assessed during the detailed design and construction of the road and, ifrequired, mitigation measures implemented. These could include the isolation of roadexcavations, to maintain the groundwater levels at these sites.

Under the Scheme drainage proposals, water from several of the new drainage ponds would enter ditches running through the "mossland" sites. This would help to maintain the groundwater levels at these sites, further enhancing their long-term sustainability andnature conservation value.

Policies and Plans

Upgrading the A74 to motorway was included in the Roads Programme in 1989. It has therefore been included as a proposed road improvement in both Regional Planning Guidance and the County Structure Plan. The Local Plan also identifies a protected route for the Scheme.

Overall, the Scheme would not significantly hinder the implementation of any plans orpolicies.

Further Information

The full Environmental Statement and the associated Orders may be inspected free ofcharge at the following locations:

The Highways Agency
City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BE

Dumfries and Galloway Council
Planning and Environment
Council Offices
Dryfe Road
Locherbie
DG11 2AS

Gretna Library
Richard Greenhow Centre
Central Avenue
Gretna
Dumfriesshire
DG16 5AQ

Cumbria County Council
The Courts
Carlisle
CA3 8NA

Dumfries and Galloway Council
The Local Government Offices,
56F Annan Road
Gretna
DG16 5AT

Longtown Library
Lochinvar Centre
Longtown
CA6 5UG

Carlisle City Council
Customer Contacts Centre
The Civic Centre
Carlisle
CA3 8QG

Carlisle Library
11 Globe Lane
Carlisle
CA3 8NX

Your Views

If you wish to support, comment on or object to the draft Orders; put forward alternativeproposals; or comment on the Environmental Statement, you should write to the Highways Agency at the address shown, not later than Thursday 31st March 2005:

Mr Ziad El-Balbisi
The Highways Agency
Room 710
City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BE

What Happens Next?

Depending on the nature and number of any objections received, a Public Inquiry maybe held before an independent Inspector. If a Public Inquiry is to be held, all thosewho have responded would be notified individually at least six weeks beforehand and notices would appear in the local press. All comments received would be made available to the Inspector who may decide to make them public. Publicity would be given to any alternative proposal received. The Secretary of State for Transport would consider the Inspector's recommendations (in the event of a Public Inquiry) and decide on the way forward.

Public Exhibition

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held at the Rockcliffe Community Hall,Rockcliffe on 7th (2pm to 8pm) and the 8th of February 2005 (10am to 8pm).

Detailed plans and general details of the proposals together with proposed measuresto reduce the environmental impact will be on display.

Representatives of the Highways Agency, their Contractor and the design team willbe available at the exhibition to explain the proposals.