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GTech Surveys Limited Baseline Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Radio Signal Survey & DLR Radio Reception Impact Assessment 1 Bradfield Road CHANGE HISTORY Issue Date Details of Changes 0.0 16/04/2021 Working draft 0.1 11/05/2021 First draft issue Author: G Phillips Reviewer: O Lloyd Issue: 0.1 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 Contents Page GTech Surveys Limited Executive Summary 1 - Introduction 4 2 - The Mechanisms of Interference Radio Networks 7 3 - The Existing DLR Radio System 10 4 - Survey Methodology 14 5 - Baseline Reception Conditions 16 6 - Predicted Impacts and Effects 18 7 - Mitigation Measures 19 8 - Conclusions 20 Appendix 21 DLR Remote Radio Sites DLR Remote Radio Site Grid Reference DLR Remote Radio Sites Schematic References Mapping Data Issue: 0.1 1 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 GTech Surveys Limited GTech Surveys Limited is a Midlands based broadcast and telecommunications consultancy conducting projects throughout the entire UK. We undertake mobile phone network, television and radio reception surveys (pre- and post- construction signal surveys), conduct broadcast interference and reception investigations, and support telecommunications planning work for wind energy developers, construction companies, architects, broadcasters and Local Planning Authorities. In addition to radio interference modelling services and television reception surveys, we produce EIA and ES Telecommunications Chapters (also known as an 'Electronic Interference Chapter'); satisfying the requirements of Part 5, Regulation 18 (Parts 5a and 5b) of The Town and Country Planning EIA Regulations 2017. We peer review ES and EIA work, liaising with telecommunications providers (Arqiva, BT etc.) and advise developers with respect to associated Section 106 (Town and Country Planning Act 1990) and Section 75 (Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997) agreements. GTech Surveys Limited is a consultant member of the Trade Association for Content Delivery - (Confederation of Aerial Industries Ltd - CAI) and the RDI - the digital sector's professional body and trade organisation. We are listed on Constructionline and verified as a Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP) member by Safety Management Advisory Services (SMAS), making us compliant with the industry standard PAS 91:2013 + A1:2017. Professional broadcast trained project engineers deliver, and supply QBE insured technical products to support planning applications, discharge planning conditions (including S106 Agreements) and for due diligence. For more information about GTech Surveys Limited please visit our website - www.gtechsurveys.com GTech Surveys Ltd. Accountancy House, 4 Priory Road, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1LL. T: +44(0) 1926 744771 Issue: 0.1 2 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 Executive Summary A baseline (pre-construction) DLR radio signal survey and reception impact assessment have been undertaken to determine the potential effects on the local reception and operation of the DLR radio network adjacent to the proposed 1 Bradfield Road development. A Planning Condition (6) associated with the scheme states; 6. DLRL Radio Impact Survey The development hereby approved shall not be commenced until a radio impact survey has been undertaken and submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This should assess the impact of the development on the DLR radio signal. Should the development be found to have impact on the radio signal, no development shall take place until a scheme of mitigation has been agreed in writing with DLRL and implemented. Reason: To ensure the construction of development does not interfere with the safe operation of the railway. It is necessary for this condition to prevent the commencement of development until the requirements of the condition have been met because the timing of compliance is fundamental to the decision to grant planning permission. From the results of the radio signal survey, modelling of potential impacts and from an understanding of existing radio coverage in areas around the Site, it is considered that the Proposed Development will not have any adverse impacts on the operation of local DLR radio services. Overall, existing coverage and reception conditions are good, and the Proposed Development is unlikely to adversely alter reception conditions. As no interference is expected, no mitigation measures are required to restore the reception of the DLR radio network in areas around the Site. This report provides the existing level of radio signal reception in the survey area and can be used to discharge Planning Condition 6. Issue: 0.1 3 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 1 - Introduction This report outlines the findings of a radio reception impact assessment and pre-construction signal reception survey to determine possible impacts and effects the proposed 1 Bradfield Road development may have on the operation and reception the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) radio network in adjacent areas. A Planning Condition (6) associated with the scheme states; 6. DLRL Radio Impact Survey The development hereby approved shall not be commenced until a radio impact survey has been undertaken and submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This should assess the impact of the development on the DLR radio signal. Should the development be found to have impact on the radio signal, no development shall take place until a scheme of mitigation has been agreed in writing with DLRL and implemented. Reason: To ensure the construction of development does not interfere with the safe operation of the railway. It is necessary for this condition to prevent the commencement of development until the requirements of the condition have been met because the timing of compliance is fundamental to the decision to grant planning permission. The Proposed Development will provide a single building of 12 storeys in height comprising of 55 residential units, with associated cycle parking, plant and refuse areas, and resident amenity areas. The accommodation will comprise of 27 x 1 bedroom, 6 x 2 bedroom and 22 x 3-bedroom apartments. The elevations will be in brick. Figure 1 shows the location of the Site. A desktop study was first undertaken, based on DLR radio transmission information, plans of the Proposed Development and maps of the area. The relevant radio signal survey area for the Proposed Development was identified and a site visit was then subsequently conducted to establish the baseline radio reception conditions on the DLR track adjacent to the Site. Modelling techniques and an assessment of recorded signal data was then used to predict the potential impacts and effects upon DLR radio network operations in the area. The impacts from the Proposed Development are consequently analysed, and together with various mitigation options, conclusions are drawn on the overall effects of the Proposed Development on DLR radio network operations. Issue: 0.1 4 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 This study was undertaken during April 2021 to investigate whether the Proposed Development could cause interference to local DLR radio network operations. The report also details the baseline DLR radio reception conditions for future reference. Figure 1 - The Planning Application Boundary Line (Delineated in red) This report follows the following structure: Chapter 1 introduces the work Chapter 2 discusses the different forms of structure generated radio interference and how these can impact the reception of radio networks Chapter 3 describes the operation of the existing DLR radio network Chapter 4 describes the survey methodology Chapter 5 describes the baseline radio reception conditions adjacent to the Site Chapter 6 describes the predicted impacts of the Proposed Development upon the DLR radio network before any mitigation measures are applied Chapter 7 describes any suitable mitigation measures to restore radio reception or network operations Chapter 8 presents the conclusion Issue: 0.1 5 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 The following terms are used throughout this document: Radio Communications The term radio communications includes systems for UHF FM analogue modulation, Digital C4FM digital modulation and digital systems to the TETRA standard as used by the Airwave/LUL Connect and for the DLR and franchise areas. Operational Area The operational area defines the area over which the radio system is designed to operate, and this includes all areas that operations or maintenance staff, the emergency services and the general public (whether authorised or not) may have access to. This includes, but is not limited to all track work, depots, stations, running tunnels, platforms, passageways and corridors plus equipment rooms and train carriages whether in motion or stationary. In general, this will also include coverage out to a distance of 50 metres from tunnel portals. Issue: 0.1 6 ©GTech Surveys Limited 2021 2 - The Mechanisms of Interference to Radio Networks Radio signals are transmitted at radio frequencies, ranging from hundreds of kilohertz (kHz) to thousands of megahertz (MHz). At the high frequencies in which the signals operate, the corresponding wavelengths of the signals are several hundred times smaller than the length of tall buildings or other structures with sizeable massing and elevation. The relative difference between the sizes of large structures/buildings and signal wavelengths means that the structures act as obstructions in the paths of the signals being transmitted. In simple terms, signals transmitted at high frequencies travel as electromagnetic