Ecology

Impacts

All of the proposed routes and the protected route (yellow) will have an effect on the ecology of the area through which they pass.

All of the proposed options will require an extension; approximately 75m long, to the existing culvert which carries the Doxey Drain beneath the Saint-Gobain site and will each require the construction of a new bridge over the River Sow.

The blue route skirts around the southern boundary of the Doxey and Tillington marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as it follows the route of Doxey road, but where it leaves the roundabout, through the car parks, it enters the SSSI albeit into an area described by Natural England as 'Destroyed'.

The red route passes through the SSSI, severing a sizeable area to the south of the road from the main body of the site.

The green route which follows a very similar alignment to blue route has a very similar impact to it.

The protected yellow route passes very close to the Castlefields balancing pond near to the Martin Drive, Redgate Drive and Kingsway roundabout which has developed into a varied wildlife habitat, once the route reaches Doxey Road its impact is similar to blue route described above.

Mitigation

The mitigation of the impacts mentioned above will form an integral part of the scheme. Initial areas to be investigated to assess their mitigation value are listed below.

The enhancement of the Doxey Drain to the south-east of the road alignment will be investigated; this may help offset the affects of the increased length of culvert.

The reinstatement of all or part of the 'Destroyed' section of the SSSI will be investigated which may help offset the affects of the proposed low viaduct and bridge required for the blue and green routes. Additionally, the possibility of designating additional land as SSSI will be investigated.

There are no obvious measures that could be investigated to offset the affect of the red route severing the SSSI.

There is no obvious measures that could be investigated to offset the disturbance that the yellow route will create in the area around the balancing pond. However, the investigations referred to in respect of the blue and green routes above could also be applied to the eastern section of this route.

Landscape

The side slopes of the Stafford Western Access Route will be sensitively landscaped throughout. The planting will be carried out using appropriate native species, which will also be chosen to ensure they are low maintenance.

Sustainable Transport

The route will incorporate pedestrian and cyclist facilities wherever practical along its length.

The County and Borough councils will promote the establishment of new bus services between the town centre and the significant new housing development(s) that are expected in this area of Stafford.

Delivery of the scheme will allow better public transport services and facilities to be provided in Chell Road.

Traffic Noise

The proposed road will have an effect on traffic noise. However, to ensure the minimum impact the road will be surfaced with materials that reduce traffic noise levels but retain the skidding resistance and hard wearing properties.  An assessment of the traffic noise associated with all options is being prepared. The scheme taken forward will require a full environmental impact assessment in order to achieve planning permission.  This will include a detailed noise assessment.