|
Comparison Table 5.1
Comparison
of main physical and user characteristics of strategic linear transport systems
: structural aspects
|
Aspect
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
|
Hierarchy type
of network
|
Extensive
network related to size and user figures
|
Truncated
network
|
Ruderal
network
|
|
Harmonisation
of freight standards influences the scale of the scheme including the need
for larger structures/clearances and speed
|
Larger class
of freight vehicle
Growth in user
numbers
|
Development of
high speed rail links
Internodal
railway links
|
Larger class
of river/sea ships
|
|
Linear feature
|
May conflict
with scale of natural land form and pattern of features
|
May conflict
with scale of natural land form and pattern of features
|
May conflict
with scale of natural land form and pattern of features.
Cross
watersheds and floodplains
|
|
Track type
|
Constructed:
pavement – engineered surface tarmac and concrete; broad and flat
|
Constructed:
load bearing flat track, ballast bed, metal rails and sleepers
|
Water- natural
element but regulated. Canals have vertical edges and access tracks along
the banks for maintenance
|
|
Earth works
influenced by topography affecting land take including valued
habitats/species
|
Most
responsive to changes in topography
|
Highly
responsive to changes in topography
|
Least
responsive to changes in topography
Tend to
increase with boat size
|
|
Head room
requirements influence scale of earthworks/crossing structures
|
Tend to
increase with traffic and vehicle size
|
Generally
larger than for roads
Tend to
increase with speed.
|
Generally
larger than roads
Tend to
increase with boat size
|
|
Aspect
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
|
Ancillary
structures
|
Signs,
Lighting, Barriers,
Fencing
Communication
network in verge
Drainage
structures
|
Electric
traction requires overhead cabling and gantries
Fencing
Communication
network alongside track
Drainage
structures
Occasional
need for maintenance track
|
Dams and locks
Bunding
Reinforced
banks
Maintenance
track
|
|
Embankment
slopes
|
Angle of slope
affects land take, habitat loss and fragmentation.
Opportunity
for creating wildlife habitats/corridors in keeping with local habitat and
soils
Maintenance
required for sight lines
|
Angle of slope
affects land take and habitat loss/fragmentation.
Opportunity
for creating wildlife habitats/corridors between structures in keeping
with local habitats and soils
Maintenance of
woody vegetation to protect overhead cables, includes slope clearance
every 5-10 years
Regular
maintenance of trackside vegetation to keep track clear
|
Angle of slope
affects land take and habitat loss/fragmentation.
Opportunity
for creating wildlife habitats/corridors in keeping with local habitats
and soils
Bank erosion
from boat traffic affects marginal aquatic vegetation
|
|
Pattern
of traffic movement
|
Continuous
and/or peaked
Fast with
noise and light
|
Intermittent,
fast and noisy
|
Intermittent
|
Table 5.2 Examples
of the physical and user effects on landscape and biological diversity
|
Effect
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
|
Microclimate
|
Embankments
may dam or channel air movements
Increased heat
from road surface
Build up of
cold air in winter
Air turbulence
generated by traffic
|
Embankments
may dam or channel air movements
Increased heat
from track surface
Heat
accumulation in ballast
Irregular but
large displacements of air (the woosh effect) dependent on speed of train
|
Embankments
may dam or channel air movements
Increased air
humidity
|
|
Hydrology
|
Canalisation/straightening
of adjacent water courses including deepening to assist drainage
Changes to
natural groundwater regimes
Increased
flooding of water through surface water collection
Drying out and
damming of natural drainage
Opportunities
for habitat enhancement
|
Canalisation/straightening
of adjacent water courses including deepening to assist drainage
Changes to
natural groundwater regimes
Changes to
surface water run-off patterns
Opportunities
for habitat enhancement
|
Regulation of
river flows
Possible risk
of drying out of floodplains/ marshlands
Changes to
natural groundwater regimes
Mixing of
water quality across catchments
|
|
Introduction
of exotic species
|
Conduit for
seed dispersal from wheels
Development of
salt loving species in verge
|
Conduit for
seed dispersal from carriages and freight transport
|
Conduit for
fauna/ flora dispersal from ballast water, and interconnecting watersheds
|
|
Barrier
effects
|
Embankments
and ancillary structures disrupt views
Fencing, width
of structure and intensity of traffic flow prevent crossing movements
Habitat
fragmentation affecting population viability
Deviation of
animals seeking to circumvent obstacle.
|
Embankments
and ancillary structures disrupt views
Fencing, track
surface inhibit crossing movements
Habitat
fragmentation affecting population viability
Deviation of
animals seeking to circumvent obstacle
|
Embankments
and ancillary structures disrupt views
Bank profile
inhibits crossing movements
Habitat
fragmentation affecting population viability
Deviation of
animals seeking to circumvent obstacle
|
|
Wildlife
mortality
|
Risk of animal
mortality from attempts to cross and also because wildlife is attracted to
embankments
|
Risk of animal
mortality from attempts to cross and also because wildlife is attracted to
embankments
|
Zero risk by
collision but very high risk of drowning
|
|
Water
pollution and accidental spillages
|
Surface water
run-off/spray includes hydrocarbons, tyre residues, suspended solids and
de-icing salts with implications for soil pollution
Increased risk
of accidental spillage associated with increased volumes of traffic
|
Contaminated
track bed run-off including herbicides, faecal matter, metal dust and
lubricants is fed into adjacent drains/groundwater
Increased risk
of accidental spillage associated with transport of hazardous substances
|
Domestic
waste, oil from users
Increased risk
of accidental spillage associated with increased volumes of traffic
|
|
Lighting
|
Attracts
insects and bats, and can create barrier
Permanent
light at night even in remote rural areas
Continuous
lighting of road by vehicle headlights
General
disturbance of wildlife activities
|
Non-continuous
light
Little effect
on wildlife
|
Little or no
light except at some marinas etc
No effect on
wildlife
|
|
Noise
|
Can be
continuous disturbs wildlife and tranquil areas
|
Intermittent
short "whoosh" effect
|
Variable in
duration and levels
|
Outmoded or
abandoned network
|
Ancient
roads/track ways may form a cultural landscape feature
Less
frequently abandoned upgrading more likely
|
Early
structures may form cultural landscape feature especially viaducts
Colonised by
variety of species and can provide green links in urban areas or degraded
landscapes
Alternative
uses for recreation may have negative consequences for biological
diversity. Occasionally reinstated for commercial use.
|
Early
structures may form cultural landscape feature especially aqueducts
Colonised by
variety of species and can provide green links in urban areas or degraded
landscapes
Alternative
uses for recreation or water transfer may have negative consequences for
biological diversity
|
Table 5.3 Examples
of typical solutions to problems affecting landscape and biological diversity
arising during the design and construction period of roads, railways and
waterways
|
Typical
problem
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
|
Land take
|
Redesign
embankments/cuttings to reduce land take in sensitive areas, and amount of
surplus material
|
Redesign
embankments/cuttings to reduce land take in sensitive areas, and amount of
surplus material
|
Redesign
embankments to reduce land take in sensitive areas, and amount of surplus
material
|
|
Integration
into landscape
|
Design profile
to provide natural appearance and wildlife benefit
|
Design profile
to provide natural appearance and wildlife benefit
|
Design profile
to provide natural appearance and wildlife benefit
|
|
Habitat
loss/damage
|
Avoid,
mitigate and compensate for habitat/species
Before start
of construction works erect protective fencing around features to be
retained or re located eg trees
|
Avoid,
mitigate and compensate for habitat/species
Before start
of construction works erect protective fencing around features to be
retained or re located eg trees
|
Avoid,
mitigate and compensate for habitat/species
Before start
of construction works erect protective fencing around features to be
retained or re located eg trees
|
|
Habitat
severance
|
Design
crossings for wildlife
Maintain
temporary crossing facilities for animals for duration of works.
|
Design
crossings for wildlife
Maintain
temporary crossing facilities for animals for duration of works
|
Design
crossings for wildlife
Maintain
temporary crossing facilities for animals for duration of works
|
|
Water
pollution
|
Porous tarmac
can reduce spray and run off
Provide areas
to retain and treat surface water and spillages
Protect soil
stores to reduce erosion
|
Waterproof
plain and collect surface water in risk areas
Provide areas
to retain and treat surface water and spillages
Protect soil
stores to reduce erosion
|
Supervise
earthmoving sites and equipment
Protect soil
stores to reduce erosion
|
|
Air pollution
|
Wash down
surfaces to reduce dust including wheel wipe
|
Wash down
surfaces to reduce dust including wheel wipe
|
Wash down
surfaces to reduce dust including wheel wipe
|
Table 5.4 Examples
of typical solutions to problems arising from the use of roads, railways and
waterways
|
Typical
problem
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
Traffic
movement in the landscape
|
Vertical
adjustment, artificial mounding in character with local landscape e.g.
field boundaries
Tree and shrub
planting in character with local landscape vegetation type.
|
Vertical
adjustment, artificial mounding character with local landscape e.g. field
boundaries
Tree/shrub
planting in character with local landscape and vegetation type
|
Reduce speed
of boat traffic to reduce bank erosion.
Tree and shrub
planting in character with local landscape and vegetation type
Relate size of
vessel to depth and width of water/channel
|
|
Animal
movement (ref COST 341)
|
Adaptation of
existing structures e.g. underpasses/culverts, green bridges, ledges in
relation to wildlife movement patterns and habitats
Fence to suit
certain types of species
Consider
providing tunnels (note additional cost and excavated material)
Verges provide
linkages across degraded habitats
|
Adaptation of
existing structures e.g. underpasses/culverts, green bridges, ledges in
relation to wildlife movement patterns and habitats
Overhead train
power lines may reduce opportunities for bridges/overpasses
Fence to suit
certain species
Consider
provision of tunnels (note associated economic penalties and excavated
material)
Verges provide
linkages across degraded habitats
|
Less
opportunity for crossing structures
Include fauna
stepping out structures and species protection measured on banks
Fish passes
and side channels enable free migration of aquatic organisms round dams
|
|
Noise
|
Adjustment of
alignment and addition of bunds and noise barriers – check landscape and
ecological consequences
Review type of
surface material
|
Adjustment of
alignment and addition of bunds and noise barriers – check landscape and
ecological consequences
|
|
|
Typical
problem
|
Roads
|
Railways
|
Waterways
|
|
Water
pollution and accidental spillages
|
Interceptor
drains with regular maintenance required linked to areas to retain and
treat surface water and spillages
Engineering
and vegetative system to store, ameliorate and treat run off
Use of porous
tarmac reduces spray
Develop
emergency contingency plan
|
Interceptor
drains with regular maintenance required linked to areas to retain and
treat surface water and spillages
Engineering
and vegetative system to store, ameliorate and treat run off
Develop
emergency contingency plan
|
Install free
collection points for waste from users
Develop
emergency contingency plan
|
|
Air pollution
|
Dependent on
type of fuel, traffic flow free and microclimate-vegetation can provide a
natural filter
Use of porous
tarmac reduces spray
|
Vegetation can
provide a natural filter
|
|
|
Lighting
|
Adopt best
available technology and in rural areas restrict to essential locations
Use methods
which minimize spillage of light and where possible avoid lighting on link
sections
|
Adopt best
available technology and in rural areas restrict to essential locations
|
Adopt best
available technology and in rural areas restrict to essential locations
eg marinas
|
|
Maintenance
|
Adapt verges
and access ways to enhance wildlife value
Assess the
implications of changes for maintenance and improvement work to enhance
wildlife value of verges and drainage facilities
Assess the
wildlife implications of maintenance for adverse weather conditions
|
Adapt to
enhance wildlife value of verges and drainage facilities
Assess the
implications of changes for maintenance and improvement work to enhance
wildlife value of verges and drainage facilities
Assess the
wildlife implications of maintenance for adverse weather conditions
|
Adapt to
enhance wildlife value of verges and drainage facilities
Organise
dredging outside fish reproduction period
Select
dredging access and disposal points in relation to zones of activity and
types of riparian habitat
|
|
SHOP
