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8.5 Inter-relationships between effects

The SEA topics cannot be considered in isolation from one another,as there are a variety of inter-relationships that exist.

Air quality is a topic which cuts across most of the other SEAtopics, with proven links between air quality and human health (respiratoryproblems). It can also have indirect effects on biodiversity, soil and waterquality, and the condition of heritage assets, whilst there is a more directrelationship between traffic emissions causing poor air quality and theemissions of CO2.

Physical measures such as new roads and park & ridesites have shown inter-related effects on criteria such as noise, climaticfactors and air quality (from introducing traffic into a new area), water andsoil (from introducing pollutant emissions). Biodiversity, landscape andtownscape may also suffer from the introduction of traffic into new areas.

New transport services have shown anumber of inter-related impacts on accessibility (population) which in turn haspositive effects on human health.

Implementation of safety measures haveshown a number of effects ranging from direct effects on accidents and also theperception of safety.  Reducing traffic speed can also have beneficial secondaryeffects on noise and community severance, although adverse effects on airquality and increases in greenhouse gas emissions can result.