ANNEX B
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF TRUNK ROAD SCHEMES
1. The UK has been carrying out environmental
assessments of trunk road schemes since 1983. As early as 1973
procedures had been introduced which involved, where appropriate,
the provision of environmental information to the public as a
part of the public consultation process regarding different route
options.
2. The requirements of the European Directive
85/337/EEC on environmental assessment were integrated into existing
UK procedures for development consent in 1988. A full environmental
assessment is carried out for all major motorway and all purpose
trunk road schemes, even where the publication of an Environmental
Statement is not considered to be required by the legislation
implementing the Directive.
3. The environmental assessment process in relation
to a trunk road scheme aims to ensure the fullest consideration
of the likely environmental effects of scheme options so that
decisions can be made with a proper knowledge of their environmental
consequences. The process informs the decision whether or not
to proceed with the further development of a scheme and, if it
does go ahead, it helps identify how the environmental effects
can be minimised through route selection and other measures. The
process also aims to allow the public and statutory environmental
bodies to comment on road proposals with an understanding of their
environmental implications.
4. The Advice Note that guides this process
is Volume 11 of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DRMB).
The volume provides guidance on the level of environmental assessment
required at the key stages in the development of a trunk road
scheme and the requirements for reporting the effects on the environment.
5. Volume 11 gives detailed advice on assessing
a scheme's impact on the following:
Air Quality
Cultural Heritage
Disruption due to Construction
Ecology and Nature Conservation
Landscapes Effects—including visual intrusion
such as lighting
Land Use
Traffic Noise and Vibration
Effects on Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and
the Community
Vehicle Travellers
Water Quality and Drainage
Geology and Soils
Policies and Plans
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