Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Related pages

• Executive summary
• 1 introduction
• 2 existing conditions
• 3 description of proposed route
• 4 engineering assessment
• 5 environmental assessment
• 6 traffic and economic assessment
• 7 consultation
• 8 conclusions

5 environmental assessment

5 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

5.1 Introduction

The recommended procedure for such an environmental assessment of Highways schemes is a three stage process: Stage 1, initial route corridor analysis; Stage 2, more detailed comparisons of individual route proposals; and Stage 3, production of an environmental statement for the final route design. This document summarises some of the key findings from the Stage 1 assessment. Appraisal Summary Tables (ASTs) have been produced for each route and these can be found in Appendix B.

5.2 Individual Assessment Reports

This section is a summary of the findings of the environmental impact assessment of the A64 Dualling York to Scarborough. A full environmental assessment has been carried out, which is reported separately in the Stage 1 Environmental Impact Assessment, Volume 1 - Impact Assessment.

The assessment was carried out in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges Volume 11 - Environmental Assessment.

5.2.1 Air Quality

The air quality standards referred to are specified in the European Union Directives andthe UK Air Quality Strategy (AQS). To compare the effects of the schemes, levels of particulate matter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are used, although the AQS also requires consideration of other pollutants.

Properties within 200m of the A64 were considered most at risk of changes in air qualityand hence were considered in the study. The majority of the route corridors of York to Malton, Section 1 and Malton to Seamer Section 2 On-line are on-line with the A64.

However the routes deviate away for the village centres, which overall show a positiveimpact in Air Quality in comparison to the do-minimum scenario.

Most of the Malton to Seamer Section 2 Off-line generally moves traffic away from the properties currently most affected. They will therefore also experience improvements in air quality in comparison to the do-minimum scenario.

The construction period will contribute to a slight deterioration in air quality, due to slow moving vehicles and the presence of construction traffic. Well-planned operations couldminimise the impacts.

5.2.2 Cultural Heritage

The assessment of cultural heritage comprised a desk study of sites and monument record (SMR) data, the National Monuments Record and other documentary sources.

There is a high level of known archaeology within all the route corridors between York and Scarborough and also a high potential for further archaeological remains in undefined areas. These are illustrated in the constraints plans, figures 5.1.1a - c, 5.1.2a - c, 5.1.3a - c within volume 2. The main impacts include:

• Adverse impacts on known scheduled monuments such as the Roman pottery manufacturing complex at Crambeck, and the 411 known sites within the On-line route corridor.
• Adverse impacts on potential archaeological remains, which are identified through all of the route corridors.
• Effects on the setting of Castle Howard, a grade 1 listed building.
• Cutting through Scampston Park, a grade II* registered park.

In general, mitigation will involve further field evaluation and archaeological studies atStage 3, and will include trial trenching and test pitting.

5.2.3 Disruption due to Construction

Baseline data for this assessment was collected by consultation of earlier reports andplans.

General impacts common to all route corridors include disturbance to local communities,earthworks, field divisions, excavations and risk of pollution to the nearby River Derwentand its tributaries. The York to Malton and Malton to Seamer (On-line) route corridors willcause delays and disruptions along the A64. The most significant impacts will be duringthe construction around Crambeck.

The Off-line Route Corridor will cause the fewest adverse impacts overall.

5.2.4 Ecology and Nature Conservation

The baseline conditions were established through analysis of records. There are areasand species of varying importance existing within the study area.

Most of the impacts are similar for all route corridors and can be seen as adverse. Themost common and significant impacts are the destruction or disturbance of habitats. The proximity of the road corridors to the River Derwent and the River Hertford and their tributaries is also a potential impact.

Within the York to Malton Section an adverse impact is the loss of some of the Ancient Woodland of Gillylees and Pretty Woods. Overall there is the potential impact on otter, water vole, white-clawed crayfish and great crested newt. Loss of mature trees along the route will result in the loss of potential bat roosts.

5.2.5 Landscape Effects: Landscape Character

Landscape character assessment identifies features particular to an individual area. Impacts are rated according to how the proposals change these features. The study considers a band over 1km from the outermost routes.

Overall the route corridors have an adverse impact on the landscape character.

The wide-open character of the Vale of York (York to Malton Section) would be slightly adversely affected by effects on buildings and settlements and on field pattern, tree cover and hedgerows. Within the Howardian Hills (York to Malton section) the impact would be larger where the corridor affects woodland, settlements and built form. The level of activity within the Howardian Hills will be perceived to increase as the road becomes wider. Fragmentation of the pattern and landscape elements would result in a moderate adverse impact on the landscape character.

In the Malton to Seamer On-line corridor the effect on landscape character is adverse, mainly due to the effect on the unity of the listed parkland of Scampston Park, the potential effect on the topography, settlements and built form. The perceived increase in activity within the area also contributes to the adverse impact.

The Off-line route corridor has an adverse effect on the landscape character due to itssituation within a rural area, affecting rural settlements, built form and defined watercourses. Tranquillity and unity of character within this area will also be adverselyaffected.

5.2.6 Landscape Effects: Visual Impact

Evaluation of visual impact is achieved by consideration of how the proposed road will beseen from buildings and other places within a 1km corridor of the site.

The route corridor between York and Malton varies in visibility due to the topography andthe location of settlements and individual properties. Because the proposal is to improvethe road on its current alignment the impact is adverse, affecting settlements adjacent tothe existing A64 and the Grade 1 listed property, Castle Howard.

The On-line Route between Malton and Seamer bypasses the majority of the villages along the existing A64 and therefore properties within the villages will have reduced visual impact. However, increased visual impact will be experienced by some properties that previously had a rural and tranquil outlook. This overall adverse impact will moderate over the 15 year assessment period.

The Off-line Route, although affecting fewer properties than the other route corridors, has a greater impact on these properties and settlements. However the impact overall inSummer Year 15 is slightly beneficial.

5.2.7 Land Use

Land Use is assessed in four principal parts:

• Demolition of Private Property and Associated Land Take,
• Effects on Community Land,
• Effects on Development Land
• Effects on Agricultural Land.

This section summarises the findings of all four assessments.

The York to Malton and the On-line route corridors would result in the potential demolition of private properties whilst the Off-line route corridor could potentially result in the loss of a significant area of the north of Ganton Golf Course.

The On-line route corridor contains small area of Open Country just south of East Heslerton, and an area of Common Land north of Ganton. However, as the route proposal follows the existing route here it will not affect these areas. The York to Malton and the Off-line Route corridors do not affect any community land.

Development Land as identified within the relevant local plans will not be affected by the route corridor proposals. There are direct impacts on planning approvals by all the route corridors and there will also be indirect effects in relation to changes of view, noise and other factors. The only direct impact of the corridors on land take is in relation to an application by West Heslerton Quarry. An application has been made to extend the land west of the existing quarry for the extraction of sand.

None of the proposals impact on ESAs but will affect farm units with Countryside Stewardship Schemes. There will be a loss of grade 2 and grade 3 agricultural lands mostly within the Off-line route corridor.

5.2.8 Traffic Noise and Vibration

This assessment considers the effects upon local residents, within 300m of any of theproposed routes or the current A64.

During construction a temporary increase in noise and vibration levels will take place. However with mitigation the impact will be neutral overall in the York to Malton corridor route, and a beneficial impact will be experienced on both route corridors between Malton and Seamer due to the increased distance to sensitive receptors.

The two playing fields at Scagglethorpe and Rillington are considered to be noise sensitive recreational areas. Here, the proposals will have a beneficial impact.

5.2.9 Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and Community Effects

A number of public rights of way are within the proposed route corridors. The proposalsdo not improve the situation for rights of way users in general. However, mitigation measures for severed or stopped-up rights of way could include providing alternative roadside footways, cycleways and bridleways. New alternative access tracks and safer crossings could be provided at proposed junctions along the new route.

Severance is increased in general along the line of the scheme, particularly between York and Malton where the improvements will be along the line of the existing road. Mitigation here will include grade separated crossing points in settlements. However, between Malton and Seamer the impacts are mainly beneficial since even the On-line route bypasses most settlements and hence will reduce severance.

5.2.10 Vehicle Travellers: Driver View

This assessment was carried out from east running carriageways using field notes and maps. The views were predominantly open expansive views due to the topography of the study area. However within the Howardian Hills there were at times enclosed views, whilst the plantations near Hazelbush restricted views to the carriageway.

Impacts vary according to the route corridors. Both the York to Malton and the Malton toSeamer Off-line route corridors cause a neutral impact on driver view while the On-line route causes a beneficial impact.

5.2.11 Vehicle Travellers: Driver Stress

It has been shown that safe driving decreases as driver stress increases. This issue is particularly important because the A64 is the major route to Scarborough and the east coast. Driver stress is assessed in relation to three factors: frustration, fear and route uncertainty. During construction impacts will generally be adverse. However, there will be a reduction in driver stress once the new routes are in operation. The impacts associated with all the corridors are broadly similar.

5.2.12 Water Quality

All route options have the potential to affect the Rivers Derwent and Hertford and theirtributaries. However the impact on water quality and drainage overall will be minor.

Soil operations may increase the amount of sediment transported by site runoff waters. Sediment can settle upon riverbeds, preventing oxygen reaching the bed itself. If sediment also contains organic material, oxygen demand in the river will increase. These impacts have significant implications for aquatic species.

Accidental spillages from the site may also impact upon water quality. A major aquifer underlies some of the route corridor northeast of Seamer Carr roundabout, although it is outside the likely area of working. This is potentially vulnerable to damage from accidental spillages owing to the variably permeable nature of the drift material above it. The groundwater level may be artificially reduced as a result of pre-earthworks and carriageway drainage, impacting upon local hydrogeology.

Once the road is operational, increased impermeable surface will increase runoff, possibly resulting in higher peak flows, and a cause of flooding. Water may be contaminated with materials such as vehicle oil and de-icers, which may also impact upon fisheries. New structures such as those at water crossings may impact upon fish migration, and throttling from such structures may alter water flow. In all cases mitigation measures are available which are capable of improving the quality of runoff compared to the existing and do-minimum scenarios.

5.2.13 Geology and Soils

The effect on geology and soils overall is seen as a minor impact. However, the main river within the study area is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) and there s a ground water protection zone within the Malton to Seamer Carr area. The corridors pass through floodplains and there is a vulnerable major aquifer beneath the site, which may be at risk from accidental spillage.

Adequate management and storage of fuels on site will mitigate this risk. Potentially contaminated material will be sent to licensed waste disposal facilities. Further ground investigations and supervision during the construction phase will help reduce the risk of contamination.

5.2.14 Policies and Plans

A desktop study of planning proposals, local, regional and national plans was made to assess how the individual route corridors impact upon policies and plans.

In general the corridors hinder more policies than they facilitate. The most adverse impacts are in relation to nature conservation and cultural heritage issues, including policies, which protect the landscape of the Howardian Hills AONB. Regional policies carry a presumption against increases in the capacity of the regional highway network except where proposals stem from Route Management Strategies; the A64 RMS proposed improved single carriageway, not dual carriageway, as a long-term strategy for improving the route.

5.2.15 Summary

The main issues relating to the proposed route corridors are cultural heritage, ecologyand landscape character. The most severe impacts are to all aspects of cultural heritage. Aside from the routes running through a registered park and adjacent to the Castle Howard estate and numerous listed buildings, the study area is particularly rich in archaeological remains. The key constraint is the statutory protection afforded to these features and the irreplaceable resources that may be affected.