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9.2 Other Proposed Mitigation and Enhancement Measures
The table belowsummarises other mitigation and enhancement proposals. These are dealt with atgreater length in Appendix F.
Table 9-2 Other Proposed Mitigation and Enhancement Measures
SEA Topic
Proposed Mitigation or Enhancement Measure
Air quality
Demand management measures could be used in AQMAs in order to reduce traffic flows. Measures to prevent induced traffic filling up the road space that has been freed up by the introduction of some of the major schemes should be investigated.
Buses used on local authority contracts should be of Euro IV engine emissions standard. From around 2008/9, buses that meet the Euro V emissions standard will become available and should be used.
Taxi firms could be provided with incentives to ensure that all vehicles are of Euro IV engine emissions standards, and to use sulphur free fuels. Provide incentives to use Euro V vehicles from 2007.
Biodiversity
Sensitive planning/timing of any construction and maintenance work will help to reduce adverse impacts on biodiversity.
Design and manage P&R sites and other infrastructure so as to minimise loss of biodiversity and optimise biodiversity benefits, e.g. by planting new hedges.
PPS 9 (Biodiversity and Geological Conservation) promotes the enhancement as well as conservation of biodiversity. New transport developments have the potential to provide new habitats, and particularly wildlife corridors. The provision of new hedges, scrub, trees, ponds etc. as part of transport projects should be encouraged in the LTP.
Districts should develop maintenance guidelines for sensitive management of the existing transport estate in order to protect and enhance biodiversity. This could cover such issues as:
- Timing and extent of highway verge maintenance
- Roadside tree maintenance
- Control of invasive species (e.g. Japanese Knotweed)
- Use of native species for new plantings
- Appropriate use of herbicides and pesticides
LTP should encourage all local authorities to develop agreements or codes of practice for the management and maintenance of all road verges and roadside hedgerows (as recommended in the Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull Biodiversity Action Plan).
*Climate factors
Use of energy efficient street lighting, and street signs powered using renewable energy.
Encourage local authorities and public transport providers to move towards using alternatively fuelled vehicles.
Use porous surfaces on Park and Rides to reduce the risk of flooding.
Investigate purchasing green electricity to power the Metro.
The oldest vehicles tend to have the highest greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre. Any actions that remove the oldest vehicles from the fleet will tend to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include:
1. Increased local inspections and enforcement by VOSA (Vehicle Operator Services Agency) staff, which tend to eliminate older commercial and private vehicles;
2. Enforcement action against untaxed and uninsured vehicles, both of which tend to be older. Impounding these vehicles is often more successful than court action against the owners.
Cultural heritage
Given the current poor state of the historic heritage (based on available information), care should be taken to ensure than any new transport schemes and minor works do not have a negative impact. This can be done through liaison with the Metropolitan Authority Archaeological services, archaeological investigations where appropriate, and mitigation measures identified through project environmental assessments.
Maintenance operations should take account of historic structures (e.g.: bridges) to ensure that works are in keeping with the heritage importance of these structures. Preservation of small-scale roadside features (e.g. milestones) should be considered in maintenance guidelines.
Adopt design principles for highway works being carried out in areas of historical importance.
Appropriate archaeological investigation should be carried out to accompany major scheme proposals.
Project EIA should determine how major schemes impact on heritage features, and propose measures that will protect and preserve these assets.
Minor works should also take care to avoid damage to heritage assets.
Street clutter audits should be undertaken to progress a move towards following the English Heritage Streets for All guidance.
Human health
Low noise road surfaces should be used on roads where there will be the greatest benefits in noise reduction.
Noise barriers for high speed roads near to dwellings, and secondary glazing could be provided to dwellings affected by traffic noise.
Road humps, where used, should be selected to achieve the best balance between the desired safety outcome and minimising noise.
There are also secondary advantages with secondary glazing relating to energy efficiency, and for human health through the elimination of damp.
The timing of maintenance operations should seek to reduce the impact of noise on sleep patterns.
The provision of CCTV, lighting and benches could help to encourage walking as a more popular mode of transport.
Accidents can be reduced by targeting inexperienced drivers, e.g. those who qualified in the past five years. The Pass Plus scheme can be publicised. Actions should also be targeted to include drivers without licences, un-insured drivers, and re-training drivers with points on their licences. High profile actions and publicity can ensure these drivers are reminded of relevant legal requirements and penalties.
Continue to deliver 20mph zones, with priority to areas with the highest accident rates.
Material assets
Recycled or secondary aggregates should be used wherever possible.
In-situ recycling of road surfaces should be considered for resurfacing schemes.
Landscape and townscape
Street furniture should be in keeping with the local character of the area.
New and upgraded lighting that minimises light spillage should be utilised, particularly in the more rural areas of the WMMA,
Ensure appropriate design of pedestrianisation and traffic calming measures in order to enhance local townscape character.
In the more rural areas reflective signs should be used in preference to illuminated signs, and visibility splays should be avoided where possible.
Where trees have been removed on the grounds of their location affecting safety, replacement trees should be planted in an acceptable nearby location.
Population
The LTP has a strong focus towards improving bus services, but comparatively little towards walking and cycling. Given the existing low levels of walking and cycling in the WMMA area, and the LTP target of increasing cycling by 1% between 2003/04 and 2010/11, more proactive measures may be needed to achieve this target. For example greater provision of cycle lanes, and secure cycle storage.
LTP should encourage Rights of Way Improvement Plans to recognise the importance of the more urban rights of way in reducing severance and improving accessibility.
With reference to vehicles choosing less suitable alternative routes to avoid road charging, if introduced, further traffic management measures may be required to prevent or discourage the use of urban and rural rat-runs (e.g. weight restrictions and traffic calming measures).
Introduce increased numbers of pedestrian crossings to areas with known severance issues.
Major scheme design and associated mitigation should ensure that severance of footpaths and other rights of way does not reduce the accessibility of open space and recreation opportunities.
The LTP should provide more detail as to how rural accessibility issues and access to peripheral estates are being addressed.
Soil
Incorporate Defras Good Practice Guide for Handling Soils into maintenance and construction protocols.
Encourage the use of winter salting practices which minimise the impact on soil.
Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) should ensure that soil damage and loss is minimised during the construction process and that soils supporting valuable habitats should be reinstated at the end of construction.
Water
Use of salt domes for salt storage could reduce the likelihood of watercourse pollution.
Consider providing new ponds, ditches etc. as part of major scheme provision.
Locate sites away from water bodies or provide adequate oil interceptors etc.
Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMP) should ensure that adverse impacts on water resources are minimised during the construction process.
Use of sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) and reedbeds in new developments should be investigated and encouraged.
Take guidance from National Salt Spreading Research Group in avoiding salt contamination of local water. Pre-wetted salt application could be investigated in order to reduce impact on water.