Murphy Pipelines Limited

Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Environmental Statement Non Technical Summary Final

March 2005

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

DOCUMENT CONTROL

B&V project no. 120128 Client’s reference no. MASR 417

Version no. Issue date Issue status Distribution Tony Akin, Environment Agency Richard Jennings, Environment Agency 1 14th March 2005 Final Draft Dave Cox, East Riding of Council Michael Fussey, Council Susan Wilson, English Nature 2 Final DTI submission

Notice: This report was prepared by Black & Veatch (B&V) solely for use by Murphy Pipelines Limited (MPL). This report is not addressed to and may not be relied upon by any person or entity other than MPL for any purpose without the prior written permission of B&V. B&V, its directors, employees and affiliated companies accept no responsibility or liability for reliance upon or use of this report (whether or not permitted) other than by MPL for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared.

In producing this report, B&V has relied upon information provided by others. The completeness or accuracy of this information is not guaranteed by B&V.

Black and Veatch Limited Grosvenor House, 69 Road, Redhill, Surrey, RH1 1LQ. Tel +44 (0)1737 774155. Fax: +44 (0)1737 772767 Contact - James Twohig Direct Dial: +44 (0)1737 856280 E-mail: [email protected]

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

NON TECHNICAL SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Project Natural gas is extracted by offshore platforms, from where it is transported, via sub-sea pipelines, to onshore gas processing terminals. From here it is pumped into the UK’s national gas transportation network by National Grid Transco (NGT). NGT propose to design and build a 52.5km long, 1220mm diameter, high pressure pipeline to transport natural gas from the existing Ganstead (TA 136.368) Above Ground Installation (AGI) to an existing AGI at Asselby (SE 700.272). The whole pipeline runs within the East Riding of Yorkshire Unitary Authority. The pipeline will be made of steel and buried. Murphy Pipelines Limited (MPL) has been appointed by NGT to design and build the new pipeline. The proposed pipeline route runs from East to West through mainly agricultural land; starting at Ganstead AGI, North of the , then Westwards between and Hull continuing parallel to the A63 highway (which turns into the M62) and finishing at the Asselby AGI which lies near the River Ouse upstream of (see Figure 1). Site extensions will be required at the AGIs to accommodate the new pipework associated with the pipeline. Planning permission is being sought from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for these extensions, separately from the works covered by this Environmental Statement. The objective of the pipeline is to reinforce the National Transmission System in order to meet the predicted gas demand in North East . Failure to meet the need for increased gas supply capacity would, if demand increased as predicted, lead to certain areas of the country having insufficient levels of gas to maintain customer supplies. NGT is required by law as a Public Gas Transporter to facilitate the development of the gas network to meet consumers’ needs. Construction of the Ganstead to Asselby pipeline is planned to take place during the summer of 2006 to meet obligations to cover peak gas demand for the winter period 2006/7 and beyond. 1.2 Background to the Environmental Assessment Process Pipeline construction is subject to the Public Gas Transporter Pipeline Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations, 1999. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic process that examines the environmental consequences of a development in advance. Positive and negative impacts are identified and measures are introduced to avoid, reduce, remedy or compensate significant adverse impacts. An important aspect of the environmental assessment is that it provides a mechanism for obtaining and incorporating the views and concerns of relevant statutory bodies into the project’s design. The EIA will continue throughout the life of a project, enabling unforeseen impacts to be taken into account as the project progresses through to completion and beyond. The Environmental Statement (ES) documents the EIA information and is a requirement of the Department of Trade and Industry for making their decision on the consent for the project. This Non-Technical Summary aims to simplify and communicate the findings of the Environmental Statement in brief to the various stakeholders involved. Should you wish to obtain more information regarding construction of this pipeline, the Environmental Statement is available from: Maurice Corridan, Murphy Pipelines Limited, The Project Office, Melton Court, Gibson Lane, Melton, Hull, HU14 3HH. Tel: 01482 638550

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

2 ROUTE SELECTION AND CONSULTATION Considerable care has been taken by NGT and MPL to define a route for this gas pipeline; one that the project team considers will have the least possible negative impact on the environment. The current route, and its continued refinement, has been derived through a systematic phased approach. During the early planning stages of the project, several pipeline route corridors 1km wide, between the Ganstead and Asselby NGT installations, were suggested. The preferred corridor was selected on the basis of desktop investigation of constraints. The second stage used more detailed information on nature conservation, landscape features, archaeology, water and landuse to select a 44m wide preliminary route for the pipeline within the preferred corridor. This stage resulted in the Environmental Statement. Following publication of the ES and attainment of consent, stage three will identify the information that will be used to “fine-tune” the pipeline route, so that local minor environmental features are avoided and exact crossing points for hedgerows, watercourses, roads and other linear features can be selected. This stage acts upon the mitigation measures outlined in the ES and includes further surveys. During the routing process consultation has been carried out with statutory consultees including the Unitary Authority, the Environment Agency and English Nature and non-statutory interest groups including specialist ecological organisations and individual landowners. 3. PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION It is proposed that the main construction works will begin in April 2006 and end in October 2006. If ground conditions allow, all areas will also be reinstated to their original condition by the end of 2006. Should autumn 2006 prove to be particularly wet, and working the soil would severely reduce its ability to recover, soil reinstatement may be delayed until 2007. It is planned that replacement of any hedgerows that may have needed to be removed during the course of construction will be complete by the end of 2006, thus mitigating any adverse visual impacts on the landscape as quickly as possible. The pipeline will be constructed using a ‘spread’ method. Crews responsible for different construction activities move forward, following each other at intervals of several days, along the route. The first pipeline activity the public will be aware of is likely to be the marking out and fencing of the working width along the entire length of the pipeline. All construction activities will take place within this width and construction traffic will, wherever possible, use this strip of land to get from one section of the pipeline to the next. Generally the working width will measure 44m across. There will be reductions in the width at hedgerow crossings and in areas of conservation importance. Non open-cut crossings of roads and rivers will require additional land for a deep trench dug on either side of the crossing to house the boring machinery. Following fencing off, crops will be removed and the fertile topsoil stripped from the land within the working width and stored to one side in piles. Pipes will be delivered to the pipeline spread and a compound at Breighton Airfield, north of Asselby (SE720.350) in Spring 2006. The lengths of pipe will then be positioned along the route and welded together. The trench will then be excavated and the subsoil will be stored on the opposite side of the trench to the topsoil. The welded pipe will be lowered into the trench using a Pipelayer in a continuous operation. As each section of pipeline along the route is placed in the trench, so the subsoil will be replaced with the head layer closest to the surface. This will then be broken up (ripped) to remove any compaction to prevent ponding. Excess subsoil and rock will be reused and recycled as appropriate over the working width with any material that can not be used being removed to a licensed landfill. Finally the topsoil will be spread evenly over the working area, taking care not to mix soil from different fields. The topsoil will be left in a condition such that the farmer will, as soon as is practicable, be able to sow crops. Fences and drains

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

will be reinstated in line with the requirements of the landowner/occupier and any sections of hedgerow that have been removed will be replanted with container grown, native species. Grassland will be reseeded as required by the owner/occupier, or by MPL to the requirements of the local authority. When the pipeline construction process has been completed, the pipeline will be inspected and tested and cleaned. It is anticipated that these actions will have been completed by late summer/early autumn 2006, allowing the first gas to flow from October 2006. NGT will closely monitor pressures and flow rates of gas and the internal condition of the pipeline will be periodically monitored using fully automated pipeline inspection equipment. Regular inspections during operation by helicopter and by walking the route will ensure the pipeline is not subjected to accidental surface damage. At the end of its life, the pipeline and all associated facilities will be safely decommissioned. At all times throughout the life of the pipeline, NGT will, to the utmost of its ability, protect the environment in line with its status as a Company accredited with the ISO 14001 international environmental standard. 4. PLANNING ISSUES Government guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Notes, General Policy and Principles (PPG1) and Development Plans and Regional Guidance, requires that development be considered in relation to national polices, regional and local planning policy. Most Central and Local Government policies are intended to protect the appearance and economy of the countryside, including its flora and fauna, and the features of architectural, historic and archaeological interest that it contains. MPL will comply fully with all relevant plans contained in the District Local Plans for the area. The route avoids all sites with current planning permission and sites known to be the subject of planning applications. No part of the pipeline encroaches into any built-up area whatsoever. 5. BASELINE ENVIRONMENT, POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATION 5.1 Physical Environment and Historical Landuse The climate of the area is one of generally low rainfall and equable temperatures relative to other areas of Northern England. The proposed pipeline extends through relatively low-lying, flat relief with some undulating topography in the Yorkshire Wolds area in the centre of the pipeline route. The solid strata under the West of the proposed route are marls and sandstones and mudstones. Further East is the chalk deposits. Carboniferous coal deposits underlie the project area but do not appear as outcrops. The solid geology is overlain by sand silt and clay drift deposits carried by Quaternary period rivers and ice cover. There is evidence of historic small scale extraction operations for chalk limestone and sands and gravels in the area. The majority of these historic pits have been infilled and are avoided by the pipeline. A number of old ponds and potential pits are crossed by the pipeline and will be subject to site investigation to determine the nature of the infill. The Northern end of one area of sands and gravels safeguarded by the Council for future use is crossed by the pipeline on Figham Marshes. However, the majority of this mineral resource is unaffected and it is likely that the nature conservation (see section 5.3) and common land (see section 5.5) designation of this area means that this resource is unlikely to be exploited. Soils are well correlated to their underlying geology with the majority of the route comprising slowly permeable seasonally waterlogged fine loamy soil over the chalky glacial deposits and more clayey soils with similar properties over the glacial clay deposits.

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

5.2 Archaeology Generally, there is a moderate amount of known archaeology within the study corridor. The majority of this consists of extant structures, documentary and archaeological evidence of medieval settlements, land use and land division, and earthwork remains of post medieval infrastructure. A desk based archaeological study has been undertaken and the potential for unknown archaeology has been evaluated as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment. The results of this investigation will build upon existing information and benefit the understanding of the history of the area. The proposed pipeline route does not directly impact any of the most important Category A archaeological sites (see Figure 1). Only one nationally important Category B Archaeological site is affected. Earthworks associated with a medieval motte and bailey to the East of the proposed route may be crossed by the pipeline. Further field surveys and potential evaluation will determine the significance of any residual impact on this site. The route crosses 17 category C sites of regional importance. These sites will be subject to further survey to determine their extent and importance. At this stage, the D grade locally important sites are felt to have a low archaeological potential, but they are nevertheless significant and should not be dismissed and the further survey information will be used to determine the optimal approach to minimise impacts. The key mitigation measures are outlined below. • Continued liaison with the Humber Archaeological Partnership and agreement on the further requirements for field surveys. • Field Survey work to inform the final pipeline alignment and construction methodologies. • Potential trench evaluation of any sites which are unavoidable and where evaluation is deemed appropriate. • Potential minimisation of working width. • Potential to minimise working width and record during construction for significant hedges on historic boundaries. • Watching-brief during construction of the entire route. Through a comprehensive programme of desk based investigation a route has been designed to minimise archaeological impacts, taking other constraints into account. Commitments to further survey work and a watching brief during construction will further reduce adverse effects and ensure that finds are recorded for posterity. 5.3 Ecology The pipeline routing has avoided all sites of international importance for nature conservation and the majority of sites of national and local importance in the area. Only two Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and four Sites of Importance of Nature Conservation (SINCs) lie either partially or wholly within the 1km wide route corridor. Of these sites, only two SINCs at Figham Marshes and Risby Corner are directly crossed by the pipeline route (see Figure 1). Depending upon ground conditions it is anticipated that the SINC at Figham Marshes would be partially crossed to the East using a horizontal directional drill. This ‘lock out’ section (area where there will be no working width with access for pipeline construction plant) which includes the crossing and the Beverley and Barmston Drain means that passage along the pipeline spread will be interrupted and therefore there is a degree of flexibility over the duration of works on the remaining section of the marshes which will be open cut. The duration of works on the open cut section, which follows the edge of the Tokenspire Park Industrial Estate, will be minimised to reduce the potential disruption to the marsh and its

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

users. The Risby Corner road verge will be crossed using a trenchless technique with an 8m wide access track created using bog mats to preserve the seed bank. After construction Figham marsh and Risby corner will be reinstated to the original condition using the in situ seed bank supplemented with seed from specialist contractors matching the original native species composition. The pipeline avoids all areas of woodland except for one area to the South of Hotham SSSI which will be crossed with a restricted working width. The majority of hedgerows crossed by the pipeline are species poor and the reinstatement measures may have a residual benefit on the ecological quality of the hedgerows. There are 10 hedgerows of National Importance under the ecological criteria of the Hedgerow Regulations identified by the ecological surveys. These hedgerows will be crossed using a restricted width of 8m (wherever practicable adjacent to road crossings) and 18m at field boundaries and fully reinstated after construction is complete. Any trees that are removed will be replaced on a two planted for one removed basis taking the NGT tree planting guidance over pipelines into consideration. Protected species present in the pipeline corridor include Barn Owls, Badgers and Water Vole. Further survey work for White Clawed Crayfish, Great Crested Newt, Otter, Bats and protected birds in the appropriate season in 2005 and 2006 will confirm presence or absence. The mitigation measures for avoiding and minimising the potential impact on protected species have been included in the Environmental Statement. These measures will be developed with the statutory consultees upon completion of the survey work. 5.4 Hydrology The pipeline corridor lies within the and River Ouse Catchments which drain to the Humber Estuary which at its closest point lies approximately 5km to the South of the pipeline. The proposed pipeline crosses a number of rivers, streams, canals, becks and drains managed by either the Environment Agency, Inland Drainage Boards or landowners. The route also crosses the canal. There are a number of ponds in the area that have been avoided by preliminary routeing. The River Hull, Beverley and Barmston Drain, (see Figure 1) and some other more minor watercourses will be crossed by boring underneath, the remaining ditches and small becks will be crossed using an open cut technique. Where watercourses of better quality are crossed, because the techniques used during construction and reinstatement are focussed on reducing to a minimum any negative impact on the aquatic and bank-side (riparian) environment, little evidence of the crossing is likely to be noticeable after 6-12 months. Non open-cut (bored) crossings should have no impact on the ecology of the riparian and aquatic environment. A greater impact will arise on the adjacent land where deep trenches need to be excavated to accommodate boring machinery. The pipeline will have a negligible impact upon the flood risk for the flood plain areas. There is a sandstone major aquifer (water-bearing rock) in the West of the route near Barmby on Marsh providing groundwater abstraction for major public water supply. There are also chalk major aquifers in the Beverley area know as the Dunswell aquifer (see Figure 1). These aquifers are capped by a layer of clay and MPL is developing a methodology to protect the water resources crossed by the pipeline in conjunction with Yorkshire Water Services and the Environment Agency based upon a recent successful MPL laid pipeline through the area. 5.5 Agriculture The majority of the land crossed by the pipeline is arable farmland. The provisional Agricultural Land Classification map (Ministry of Agriculture Farms and Fisheries, 1993) combined with information from soil maps suggests the bulk of the land to be of moderate quality (Grade 2 and 3) with some higher quality Grade 1 land near Asselby AGI. The impact on the Figham Marshes area of common land will be minimised (see section 5.3).

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

The impacts to agricultural operations will generally be short-term and mitigation will involve the full reinstatement of agricultural land and communication with farmers to ensure they fully understand the extent of the work, disruption is minimised and they are adequately compensated. The ES details actions including the availability of an MPL and NGT agricultural liaison officer to give advice or assistance with any problems or concerns that arise both before and during construction, installation of additional or replacement land drains where necessary, and reinstatement of disturbed farm structures such as fences, hedges, ditches, culverts and water troughs as soon as possible after completion of pipeline construction are included. 5.6 Landscape and Visual The pipeline crosses three landscape character areas: the Area to the East, the Yorkshire Wolds in the centre and the Humberhead levels to the West. The Eastern and Western ends of the pipeline are predominately flat agricultural landscapes with the Yorkshire Wolds comprising more undulating chalk hills. The Yorkshire Wolds area is also designated as an Area of High Landscape Value (see Figure 1) by the local planning authority. The impact on the landscape will be temporary and the established reinstatement measures will ensure that the year after construction there will be a minimal residual impact. Potentially longer term landscape impacts from the removal of trees and hedgerows have been minimised by sensitive local pipeline routing and commitments to rapid reinstatement. The population density in the pipeline area is low, reducing the potential for visual impact and the relatively flat nature of the land means little will be seen from the roads of the construction activities. Soil stockpiles and pipe stores may be visible for a period between April and October 2006 but all efforts will be made to keep visual impacts to a minimum, for as short a period of time as possible. The site extension at the Ganstead and Asselby NGT Installations will require removal of some hedgerow screening and reinstatement and extension of the vegetation screening will be necessary. 5.7 Noise The route has been designed to avoid proximity to residential properties and noise sensitive areas wherever possible. Communication lines between MPL, local residents and local Environmental Health Officers will be maintained to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to minimise any inconvenience or annoyance to local residents during any pipeline construction activities and commissioning (cleaning the pipe of debris accumulated during construction). The most likely causes of nuisance noise are associated with the special methods required at road and watercourse crossings, and during commissioning. Construction activity will normally be between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 4pm on Saturdays. Where appropriate, residents likely to be affected will be advised of the times and duration of any noisy activity likely to cause concern and contact details for MPL project team will be posted at road crossings. 5.8 Traffic and Transportation The A63 and the M62 highways provide a good East - West route along the pipeline route and the A165 will be used to bring in the pipe delivered to Hull docks. The road network from the main ‘A’ roads which may be used to access the working width is mainly made up of narrow and poorly aligned roads through small villages. Most of the traffic generated by the proposed project will be associated with the actual construction phase of the project when significant quantities of materials will need to be transported to the pipe-yards and to the working width. Such traffic will include vehicles carrying construction plant, sand and hardcore and timber bog mats for building temporary roads) and low-loaders (long articulated lorries) delivering the lengths of pipe to the pipe-yard and later to the working spread. These main construction operations generally travel along the

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

pipeline route, making use of the working width, except where it would be impractical or dangerous to do so. Thus the impacts of construction traffic on local roads will be minimised. A Traffic Management Plan will be developed by MPL in consultation with the Highways Authority to further minimise possible impacts and to maintain road safety during construction. This plan will provide details of issues such as access routes for the working width, timing of traffic movements to avoid periods of heavy flow traffic, keeping associated traffic out of town centres and restricted where possible to trunk roads, repair of any road damage, clear signs and traffic signals where necessary, liaison with the police etc. MPL will ensure the requirements of the Traffic Management Plan are applied throughout construction. Any damage to the road will be made good at the end of the construction. Temporary access routes will be subject to environmental appraisal. NGT’s policy is to use non-open cut techniques under metalled roads and open cuts on unmetalled tracks, unless they are of very high usage. Therefore, the majority of the roads crossed by the pipeline should be non-open cut with no interruption to normal traffic flow. 5.9 Socio-Economic Aspects. The main population centres in the area are Hull and Beverley. The economic base of East Riding and shows a high reliance on the more traditional industries such as manufacturing and agriculture. The proposed pipeline should have short-term beneficial effects on the local economy, for example some local employment will be created during the construction period particularly for semi-skilled, unskilled and sub-contract workers. Indirect sources of benefit to the local economy will come from the use of local service industries, suppliers of building materials and the provision of accommodation for the non-local workforce. Other services required will include plant hire, office cleaning, haulage etc. Once the pipeline is operational its effect on the local economy will be negligible and the main benefit will be to the regional and national economy based upon the security of energy supplies. The areas’ recreational value lies in its open spaces, public rights of way and inland waterways. To minimise or reduce any impacts on recreational pursuits, all playing fields and amenity grasslands have been avoided. Public rights of way will be temporarily closed during construction for reasons of public safety. All actions regarding rights of way will be agreed with the relvent Council Officers. Notices will be posted to warn of any impending temporary closure/diversion. 5.10 Emissions The four major types of emissions relating to pipeline construction are air pollution, light, liquid effluent and solid waste. On a regional scale the potential increase in the use of natural gas as a fuel, particularly for electricity generation, in preference to oil and coal could have a beneficial effect on air quality as unlike the oil and coal, natural gas produces no emissions of sulphur dioxide (an important air pollutant). There is the potential for generation of dust during construction but a dust management programme will be implemented if necessary, to include such measures as spraying of soil heaps and the running track alongside the trench and regular sweeping of access roads. MPL is committed to keep all construction plant equipment correctly adjusted and well-maintained to control emissions of excessive fumes and smoke. Local air pollution caused by the project during construction should be minimal and steps will be taken to retain gas released as part of routine maintenance during the operation. Portable lighting will be used during construction and commissioning to ensure safe working conditions and/or for site security. Lighting along the construction route will be necessary at night if drilling or boring operations have to continue for 24-hour periods. Such areas where this might be necessary are located away from residential areas and lighting can be effectively screened. Consequently, impacts on local people should be minimal. Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 7

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

The Environment Agency provides detailed Pollution Prevention Guidelines, which set out the storage criteria, spillage contingency plans and working methods appropriate to reduce the risk of polluting surface and groundwater. No chemicals known to be hazardous are stored on the operational sites. These Guidelines will be incorporated into methods of working. The Guidelines may be found on the Environment Agency’s web site. Any solid waste produced during construction will be collected regularly and placed in segregated covered skips or similar containers at designated access points before being disposed of appropriately. MPL will use a waste management procedure to identify wastes likely to arise, appropriate handling and disposal methods. The procedure will aim to reduce waste production as a priority and to re-use and re-cycle as much as possible to minimise the amount of waste that needs to be removed from the site. The most likely major impact relating to waste will be the removal of that waste from site in heavy goods vehicles. However, lorries will be covered to prevent dust pollution and the Traffic Management Plan (see below) will identify the means by which potential impacts can be minimised. Any waste disposal, including waste to be recycled, must and will be carried out in accordance with legislative requirements. Certain wastes are subject to registration with the Environment Agency before they can be recycled, in accordance with the Waste Management Licenceing Regulations 1994 and National Legislation. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT NGT and MPL acknowledge an effective Environmental Management System as being an essential part of the project and both have been awarded ISO14001 certification. This is the international Environmental Management System standard. Published in 1996, it is designed to help organisations put in place the necessary structures to ensure that their operations comply with environmental laws and that major international risks and liabilities are properly identified, minimised and managed. MPL will develop and regularly update a Project Environmental Management Plan that includes a description of environmental constraints and the procedures and Method Statements to be used to prevent where possible, or otherwise minimise and mitigate environmental impacts. Any issues that remain unresolved at the time of preparing the ES, or arise as a result of further surveys and consultations with statutory and non statutory bodies, will be carried forward into the Detailed Design phase of the project and thereafter into the Construction phase. The table overleaf summarises the potential impacts and identifies the environmental commitments that have been made in the Environmental Statement. These are the key commitments that will be carried forward into the Project Environmental Management Plan. 7 CONCLUSION In conclusion, the pipeline construction period may cause some short term, minor, negative impacts on the local community and the environment during the summer of 2006. More significant impacts were identified and mitigation measures such as re-routeing identified to avoid sensitive areas. Where, for engineering reasons, re-routeing has not been possible, assistance and advice will continue to be sought from experts to supplement where necessary the mitigation measures proposed in this ES. These experts will include ecologists and archaeologists as well as representatives of English Nature and the Environmental Agency. Mitigation measures identified in the Environmental Statement and recommended by consultees will be implemented to ensure that residual impacts are minimised following construction of the pipeline.

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Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Schedule of Environmental Commitments This table summarises the key mitigation measures described in the Environmental Statement impact assessment chapters for inclusion in the environmental management plan or consideration in the detailed design. KEY N = National St = Short term (0-5 years) R = Regional Lt = Long term (5+ years) L = Local R = Reversible IR = Irreversible

Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Potential There are six sites crossed by the L Unknown Lt, Ir Need to undertake site investigations Neutral contaminated pipeline where there is made ground. on these potentially contaminated land This has the potential for contamination areas and avoid or remove any which could be released by construction. problems. Legally Potential impact on the setting of three N Slight adverse during Lt/St/ Wherever possible avoid removal of Neutral protected listed sites. construction. R trees in this area. Reinstatement of archaeology landscape to original condition. (Category A)

Nationally Potential destruction of archaeological N Moderate adverse. Lt, Ir Agree programme of field surveys Slight/mode important remains associated with a Motte and and potentially evaluation to rate adverse archaeology. Bailey to East of pipeline. determine route of least (Category B) archaeological resistance / requirements for excavation. Regionally Potential destruction/degradation of R Slight to moderate Lt, Ir Agree programme of field surveys Neutral/slig important archaeological remains. Potential adverse and subsequent approach with the ht adverse archaeology moderate impact on 1 site, slight impact Humber Archaeological Partnership. (Category C) on 17 sites and unknown impact on 18 sites. Locally Potential destruction/degradation of L Slight to moderate Lt, Ir Agree programme of field surveys Neutral/slig important archaeological remains. Potential adverse and subsequent approach with the ht adverse archaeology moderate impact on 5 sites, slight Humber Archaeological Partnership. (Category D) impact on 61 sites and unknown impact on 50 sites.

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Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Non Statutory Figham Pastures SINC – a length of L Slight/moderate St, R MPL will endeavour to minimise the Neutral Sites for nature 1200m following the border with the adverse length of time that this area will be conservation Industrial Park will be crossed by open affected by timing the construction cut technique. to tie in with the bore of the River Hull and Beverley and Barmston Drain. This area is anticipated to be a lock out area and therefore a running track is not required for the duration of the construction period in this area. The pasture will be reinstated to its original condition. Risby Corner Verge SINC will be L Slight adverse St, R Protective fencing to prevent Neutral crossed by the route. The Verge will be contract vehicles or other works crossed using trenchless techniques and parking elsewhere on the verge. the reduced working width required for Reinstatement of the grassland to access will be provided by bog mats reflect the original sward using which will preserve the seed bank. natural seedbank. Semi improved Semi-improved grassland crossed by the L Slight/moderate St, R Any temporary access routes should Neutral grassland pipeline at Figham, Walkington Park, adverse avoid these areas or if crossing is two fields east of South Wold and a necessary should make use of bog small strip adjacent to Barnhill Hall mats. SINC. These areas may be locally important for foraging mammals and birds.

Marshy Marshy grassland areas at Figham (see L Slight adverse St, R Any temporary access routes should Neutral grassland SINC comments above) and a section avoid these areas or if crossing is South of Hotham Meadow SSSI. necessary should make use of bog mats. Himalayan Non native invasive plant near Asselby, L Slight adverse St, R Follow EA guidelines including Neutral balsam potential to spread. herbicide (Glyphosate) application in June 2005.

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Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Woodland Woodland South of Hotham Meadow L Slight beneficial Lt, Ir Restricted working width, other Slight SSSI will be crossed with a restricted areas fenced off. Follow NGT beneficial working width of 10m. The long term guidelines for tree planting over the impact will be slight beneficial as the pipeline with two trees for each one opened area may encourage the growth removed. of woodland flora and add diversity by increasing the edge habitat.

Hedgerows Majority of hedgerows are species poor L Slight beneficial Lt, R Reinstatement with native species in Neutral/slig and low value. Opportunity to improve accordance with landowners ht beneficial hedgerow with reinstatement. requirements. 10 Nationally Important hedgerows L Slight/moderate Lt, R Reinstatement to original condition. Slight crossed by the pipeline. Those adjacent adverse adverse to roads will have a restricted working width of 8m subject to sight lines and ground conditions others on field boundaries will be minimised to 18m where possible. Open cut Temporary impact from potential L Slight adverse St, R Crossing methodology will minimise Neutral watercourses increase in suspended sediment and loss impacts. of bed and bank habitat.

Birds (nesting) Construction is during the bird nesting L Slight adverse St, R All hedgerows on route to be flailed Neutral season. to stumps in winter 2005/2006 in advance of bird nesting. Surveys in advance of construction for ground nesting birds. Badgers The proposed route is potentially within L Moderate adverse St, R Wherever possible, maintain 30m Neutral 30m of 2 active and 1 inactive badger distance from edge of working width setts. Potential impacts on foraging to setts. If not then EN licences are paths. required. Pre-construction check on area. Planks/pipe end caps in trenches in badger areas to allow badgers to escape. Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 11

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Bats Potential for mature trees to be L Moderate adverse St, Ir Fine tuning of route to avoid mature Neutral removed. Uncertain over whether bats trees. If require removal then to be are present. If bats are found to be checked for bats in advance. Bat present within these trees and young are boxes to be erected to enhance present the impact is considered to be habitat. moderate adverse.

Water voles Known to be present in area. If open cut L Large adverse Lt, Ir Resurvey in appropriate season of Neutral watercourse with water voles present proposed open cut watercourses. If there is a potential large adverse impact. water voles present then undertake mitigation in line with Hatfield example (Case Study Site P) in the Water Vole Handbook by Strachan, 1998. Great crested Loss of potential GCN terrestrial L Slight to moderate Lt, R Survey in Spring 2005 to confirm Neutral newt (GCN) habitat. The majority of the pipeline adverse presence absence and any traverses sub-optimal habitat terrestrial populations. Mitigation if required habitat for GCN. The majority of to be discussed with English Nature impacted habitat consists of areas of prior to licence application. scrub or hedgerows. Where these are temporary lost the impact is considered to be slight adverse. Where the pipeline passes close to potential ponds the impact is considered to be moderate adverse. White clawed Potential in Twin and Hotham Beck L Moderate adverse Lt, R Survey in spring 2005 to confirm Neutral crayfish (DX17&18) which is intercepted by the presence absence and any pipeline at SE 897 351. If the white- populations. Mitigation may be to clawed crayfish is present then impact to non-open cut or carry out exclusion these stream is considered to be exercise. Twin Beck planned moderate adverse for an open cut trenchless crossing. crossing technique.

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 12

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Water quality Potential for adverse impact on water L Slight adverse St, R Watercourse crossing methodology Neutral quality from open cut crossings. to be discussed with EA IDBs and landowners. Risk of Potential adverse impact from spillage L Moderate adverse Lt, R All fuels to be stored at construction Neutral spillage of fuels/chemicals. compound, restrictions on refuelling in vulnerable areas. Training of personnel. Flood risk The pipeline crosses indicative L Slight adverse St, R The methods of working in the flood Neutral floodplains and there are safety and plains will take flood risk into pollution prevention implications for account. The pipeline design will be construction and the risk of long term for the worst case flood scenario. pipeline damage. Aquifer Two key areas of concern to Yorkshire R Moderate/large Lt, Ir Continued development of working Neutral contamination Water Services (YWS) at Dunswell and adverse practices with EA and YWS through Barmby on Marsh potable water regular liaison meetings. Use MPL sources. The principle concern of YWS experience from Teeside ethylene is elevated bacteria and turbidity from pipeline. Use of polypropylene disturbance of the drift during pipeline sandbags in cross section of stretches construction and subsequent ingress of of pipeline trench to prevent contaminated water through induced preferential drainage. pathways. Figham Pasture Impact on access for grazing protected L Slight adverse. St, R Continued communication between Neutral grazing rights by an Act of Parliament. The open cut the NGT/MPL Agricultural liaison section of pipeline will follow the officers and the Pasture masters border of the Tokenspire Industrial Park during construction and to minimise the potential temporary minimisation of time spent in this severance of the grazing area. area because of no need for access throughout pipeline construction. Area of High Temporary impact of the working width R Slight / moderate St, R Reinstatement measures to return Slight Landscape clearance and construction activity adverse landscape to original. Avoidance of adverse (for Value across the landscape area of the trees and restricted hedgerow some areas Yorkshire Wolds. removal to minimise any longer term if trees impacts. removed)

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 13

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Construction The key temporary noise impacts will be L Slight adverse St, R BS5228 best practice for noise Neutral noise from non open cut crossings which will reduction to be followed. MPL disturbance be undertaken during normal working contact details to be placed at road hours. There are scattered groups of crossings. Normal working hours residences within 300m of the pipeline proposed between 0700-1900 hours with the edges of a few larger Monday to Friday and 0700-1600 settlements within 300-500m. The hours on Saturdays. Sunday normal hours of operation working and 24hour working to be discussed with the Local Authority. Hydrotest Potentially 24hour operation will L Moderate adverse on a St, R MPL to notify Local authority and Neutral noise potentially have an impact on nearby few properties. potentially affected residents in disturbance scattered residences advance.

Traffic Majority of traffic will be on major L Slight/moderate St, R Traffic Management Plan (TMP) to Neutral generation on roads and along the pipeline spread but adverse be developed in consultation with local roads some minor roads may be used for Highways Authority and Parish access to the spread. Councils affected. A road condition survey will be undertaken in advance of construction. Temporary Routes onto construction spread will L Slight adverse St, R Routes to be detailed and agreed in Neutral access routes need to be laid with hardcore or the TMP. Method of construction hardwood mats. Temporary visual, and removal to be agreed with landtake and noise impacts. landowner and Highways Authority. Routes to be subject to environmental appraisal. Traffic route Most road to be non-open cut some low L Slight adverse St , R Liaison with landowner and main Neutral severance use roads will be open cut disrupting use road users. Diversions signed if for approx. ½ a day. appropriate. Economy and Peak workforce of approximately 100 in L Slight beneficial St, R Make use of local suppliers and staff Neutral Employment the year 2005 and 400 in the year 2006 where appropriate. and local multiplier effects.

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 14

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Topic Area Summary of Potential Impact Geographical Impact Significance Nature Mitigation Measure Residual Level of Impact Impact N R L Safeguarded Pipeline crosses a safeguarded area of L Slight adverse Lt, Ir No mitigation 24.4m easement will Slight minerals sand and gravel. However, other be sterilised. adverse. designations make this resource unlikely to be tapped. Public rights of Temporary closure and diversions of L Slight adverse St, R Consents required from LPA and Neutral way rights of way including the Yorkshire (moderate for the NT) diversions to be established. Wolds National Trail may impact on residents and visitors. Recreational land at Figham will be mitigated by the proposals to deal with the SINC and Common land designations. Emissions Generation of waste materials, potential L Slight adverse St, R Adherence to NGT best Neutral for dust and exhaust emissions, light environmental practice manual and pollution and other minor emissions. EA Pollution Prevention Guidelines

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 15

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 16

Murphy Pipelines Limited National Grid Transco Ganstead to Asselby Natural Gas Pipeline Final March 2005

Black & Veatch Project No: 120128 17