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Explanation of the Scheme and Non-Technical Summary of the Environmental Statement
The County Council proposes to construct a new road to the West of Rugby, 6.0 kilometres (or 3.75 miles) in length. The scheme is a development of the proposals that were the subject of a public consultation during November 1997 to January 1998. At that time the scheme extended from Avon Mill Roundabout to the Cawston Housing Development, utilising the distributor road through the estate at the southern end of the road. Since then extra funding has been secured to cover the full cost of extending the Relief Road southwards to Potford’s Dam, the original preferred scheme that removes through traffic from both Cawston and Bilton villages. Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved the preferred scheme shown on the attached plan, and a planning application was submitted in September 2002. The appropriate Orders for the acquisition of land and stopping up of existing rights of way were made in October 2002. The Non-Technical Summary has been compiled in accordance with EC directive 85/337, as applied to Section 105A of the Highways Act 1980. Its purpose is to explain in non-technical language the scheme proposals, and summarise the Environmental Statement, which has been produced to form part of the Planning Application. The Environmental Statement addresses such subjects as air quality, noise, visual impact and ecology, and is supported by associated drawings and maps. Why the Scheme is needed In 1997 Rugby Borough Council approved plans for development of the Town over the next few years. The main new residential and industrial developments are to be located to the west and north of the town centre. It is expected that these developments will create a significant increase in traffic and the present road system, in particular Bilton Road, Newbold Road, Corporation Street and Warwick Street Gyratory, will suffer from increased levels of congestion without the provision of the Relief Road. The traffic congestion in Rugby is caused partly by the limited number of roads crossing the main railway lines. This is compounded because much of the employment in Rugby is north of the railway lines but many of the residential areas are to the south. This results in severe congestion during peak hours on the north - south routes. The Relief Road would provide a second major North - South route that crosses the railway. Without the Relief Road increased congestion will result in environmental damage from effects such as noise and air pollution and conditions could become more dangerous and unpleasant for pedestrians and cyclists. Scheme Objectives To facilitate the development of Rugby as set out in the Local Plan for the Town. To encourage the removal of through traffic from the villages of Bilton and Cawston thus reducing congestion and improving local environmental conditions, including conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. To provide an alternative route north – south through Rugby that avoids the Town Centre thus reducing congestion. To reduce the number of accidents. To provide increased cycling facilities in the Rugby area. To allow the possibility of the railway line to re-open in the future. To achieve all the aims with the minimum amount of disruption to the environment. The Proposed Scheme Scheme Layout Plan Sheet 1 of 3 (1.1 MB) Scheme Layout Plan Sheet 2 of 3 (1.8 MB) Scheme Layout Plan Sheet 3 of 3 (2.2 MB) To view the route drawings you will need free Adobe Reader. The proposed scheme consists of a single carriageway road 6.0 km long between Potford’s Dam on the A4071 and the Avon Mill roundabout at the junction of Newbold Road and A426 Leicester Road. The new road would be 7.3 metres (m) wide throughout. The road would be kerbed and have 3.5m wide verges on both sides. For a majority of its length, a 2.5m wide footway/cycleway would be constructed in one of the verges and a 1.5m wide footway on the opposite verge. Approximately half of the route, at the southern end, would cross agricultural land to the west of the Leamington to Rugby dismantled railway. Where possible the relief road would make use of existing roads and some of the dismantled railway line in an attempt to reduce its environmental impact. The exception would be a 0.5 km length of new road to link Parkfield Road and B4112 Newbold Road, which would include a new bridge across the River Avon. The new road would require a number of new junctions with existing roads along its length. A 4-way traffic signal junction would be constructed to join Bilton Lane with the Relief Road. Access would be provided for pedestrians and cyclists whilst equestrians will be provided with a pegasus crossing. Major improvements would be made to the A428 Lawford Road where it forms a junction with the Relief Road. The existing railway bridge on the A428 would be demolished and a new traffic controlled junction will be built at ground level. Other junctions with the Cawston Housing Development, Malpass Farm Development, Parkfield Road, Newbold Road and the A426 Leicester Road would require roundabouts. Construction of the road will begin in July 2007 and the road would be opened by the end of 2009. Extensive traffic diversions would be necessary during various stages of the works as temporary closure would be needed on Parkfield Road. It is anticipated that with the introduction of a local temporary diversion Lawford Road would remain open at all times. Construction traffic would be required to access the site using designated routes and access via the residential areas would not be allowed. Environmental Effects The proposed scheme has been designed to reduce, as far as possible, any damage to the environment whilst still considering other factors such as road safety, engineering design and cost and the requirement to allow the railway line to re-open in the future. Other measures have been proposed to reduce environmental effects where appropriate. For example: in providing noise fencing to reduce the effect of noise on properties; in safeguarding protected species and creating ecological features; and incorporating indigenous planting schemes (on highway land and off-site) to visually connect the route to the existing landscape and to reduce the visual impact of the scheme by screening. The proposals have been the subject of an Environmental Assessment where all the probable environmental effects have been carefully considered. The table below summarises these. Further Information The full Environmental Statement may be inspected during normal office hours at the offices of: Warwickshire County Council, Environment and Economy Directorate Barrack Street, Warwick CV34 4SX If you wish to make an appointment to view the Environmental Statement or to discuss the scheme in more detail then please contact Mr B Follett (01926 412094) or Mr N Sidhu (01926 412345). EFFECT METHOD OF ASSESSMENT EXISTING CONDITIONS EFFECT WITH NEW ROAD MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS Air Quality Calculation of existing and future emission levels. No properties suffer from high emission levels. Emission levels would be lower due to the reduction in congestion. Cultural Heritage Historical sites within the area identified in consultation with English Heritage and County Archaeologist and checked via field walking No Scheduled Ancient Monuments present. 73 other archaeological sites identified. One Grade II listed building, four non-listed buildings. A small number of cultural heritage sites are adversely affected – the general effect would be minor and some mitigation measures would be possible. Provision has been made for recording previously unknown remains revealed during construction. Landscape planting proposed to reduce the visual impact on unlisted buildings. Disruption due to Construction Existing conditions examined and experience of similar construction contracts applied. No construction related problems 18 month construction period with delays to road users, disturbance to wildlife and nuisance to residents. Operations to be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Health Officer of the Borough Council. Restrictions on working methods and times would be included in the contract. Nature Conservation Field surveys and consultation with WCC Museum Biological Records Centre and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. No sites of special scientific interest but some areas of local importance affected. There is also evidence of protected species. 4 Non-statutory sites of importance for nature conservation (ecosites) affected by the scheme. Habitat areas lost. Scheme has been sympathetically located to minimise the adverse effects on habitats. Special measures in the earthworks and drainage design incorporated to mitigate loss of habitat. Creation of two ecological sites to mitigate loss of habitat. Landscape Study prepared using written sources, topographical maps and fieldwork The area through which the route passes is a plateau dissected by the River Avon. The route passes through the Dunsmore Regional Landscape Character Area In general, the scheme follows existing roads and runs parallel to the dismantled railway. Therefore, there is little impact on the existing landscape except on the link between Newbold Road and Parkfield Road where it crosses the River Avon. Vegetation will remain in place where possible. New landscape planting along the whole length of the scheme to integrate it and to improve the landscape. Lighting would be provided at junctions and from Lawford Road to Avon Mill. Whilst columns would be visible during the day, the design of the lighting would keep light pollution to a minimum. Land Use Maps issued by the Dept. of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) The existing landscape includes several types of land ranging from agriculture to urban. Majority of land required for the new road is agricultural. However, some industrial and Local Authority land would also be needed Noise Calculation of existing and future noise levels based on traffic forecasts Majority of properties along the proposed route currently experience low noise levels Properties within 300m of the new road will experience an increase in noise levels but these would still be relatively low. Noise fences and noise mounds would be provided where necessary. The road would be sited behind the existing railway embankment and this would help to reduce noise effects. Pedestrians and Cyclists Site visit Poor conditions for cyclists as there is little existing provision. A combined footway / cycleway would be constructed along the entire route with new links to residential and industrial areas. Bridle bridge and pedestrian subway would be provided to allow safe crossing of proposed route. Signal controlled junctions would have pedestrian/cyclist phases. Water Quality and Drainage Consultation with the Environment Agency The River Avon is of fair water quality. Sow Brook and Lawford Brook are of a slightly higher quality than the River Avon. Potential threat of pollution during construction. Loss of flood plain due to road embankment. Drainage of the road will be provided by pipe systems, which will discharge into the two watercourses. The proposals will include measures to reduce the risks of pollution. Flood compensation area to be provided which will include measures to create wildlife habitats. Ponds, reed beds and ditches together with untrapped gullies would be used to collect and disperse storm water from the road in a manner which would minimise the risks of pollution and control the run-off to existing watercourses. Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) to be implemented where appropriate.
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