Kingston Seymour to Wick St Lawrence

Weston to Clevedon Cycle Route Tutshill Crossing Proposals: Kingston Seymour to Wick St Lawrence

View of Sampson Sluice and River Yeo, Sept 2011

Revised August 2015 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015

Weston to Clevedon Map showing location of key elements of proposed route Cycle Route, Tutshill via Tutshill Sluice in comparison with current route via A370 Crossing Proposals –

Technical Arrangements Weston Pier to Clevedon Pier Contents 20.3 kms via Tutshill Sluice Signed route from Yatton to Clevedon Maps 25.8 kms Signed Map 1 of 5 cycle showing connection with Wick Road ...... 1 route Permissive route Notes on gating arrangements on sea defences Schedule of gates and and access controls ...... 2 Map 2 of 5 showing Railway Path ...... 3

Map 3 of 5 17.8 kms showing Tutshill and Sampson Sluices ...... 4 12.3 kms …

Map 3 of 5 M details at Sampson Sluice ...... 5 a i n

r Environment Agency cross sections ...... 6 o a d

Map 4 of 5 ro u showing Tutshill Farm railway section ...... 7 te Map 5 of 5 Ecological appraisal and bird survey...... 8 Tutshill Sluice Link Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding Details of gates and fencing ...... 9 … Section of Method Statement covering construction and Strawberry maintenance ...... 11 Line path Design, access and risk statements...... 12 Summary of events 1970 - 2012 ...... 13 Ecological study ...... 14 “Toll” Road from Weston to Kewstoke 8.0 kms

A370 main Weston road with heavy trafﬁ c - 3.7 kms

Report intended to be printed in full colour on A3 size paper

Report John Grimshaw Graphics Jane Debney WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 1

------

X ------Tutshill Crossing Path: Map 1 of 5 showing connection with Wick Road ------X X ------X - X ------Track width ------X KEY Route for walkers - X approx 3m ------& cyclists -- -- ACCESS CONTROLS: ------X - WG “A” frame/wicket gate/ Livestock & farm route - - AF CG -- X -- - cattle grid: see page 8 ------X - Public and livestock ------X share common space - - 1 GATES: see page 2 ------X -- - - X ------X ------X - -- Permanent fence -- -- X - - DETAILS: plans/cross sections ------A Electric fence X -- • ------• ------• ------X -- - Path to be - - X ------cleared of ------X - - grass and X ------Introduction to large scale maps and details ------resurfaced in ------X X - rolled stone - -- This page and maps 1 to 5 show the proposed arrangement of the path, its fences, farm ------gates, wicket gates and cattle grids. These pages are based upon detailed discussions with - X X ------the landowners along the route. These details are to be attached to the Legal Agreements -- -

- --

-- X -

- -

- and are to be implemented as agreed. X ------

X X 4.5m ﬁ eld gate ------… ------Overall map of proposed Tutshill Link showing the arrangement X - - -- X ------of detailed maps 1 to 5 ------X ------X ------X - Map 5 ------X ------X -- B -- --

AF X Line of old railway 1 A New farm accommodation crossing Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding

… B View and detail of Wick Road WICK A Entrance ROAD Map 4 Tutshill Sluice crossing Telegraph pole AF Sampson Sluice crossing

– Adjacent

– Scale 1:1250 at A3

– ﬁ eld gate – (80mm grid square = 100m) x Map 3

–

x x –

– –

–

New boundary x

x B –

– fence along side – Field access –

– –

–

of former railway x

– –

x –

– Make new gravel – –

– x – Existing locked path to join –

– –

x 4.5m gate to railway track – Map 2

– –

– remain for farm x

–

access –

– x––––x––––x–AF–––x x––––x––––x––––x––––x––––x––– x WICK ROAD

Limited sections “A” frame access coinciding with control farm use WICK ROAD View of original station to the north of the track, 1910 Map 1

© Crown Copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance survey 100023397. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of the data to third parties in any form. x x – – – – – – – – x x – – – – – – – – x x – – – – – – – – x x – – – – – – –

x x

– –

x x––––x––––x––––x––––x––––x––––x x––––x––––x––––x––––x x

– – x

–

x –

–

– x– – WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 2

Details of Gating Arrangements: Wick Road to Mud Lane

The following arrangement details of gating have connections for the farm electric fencing. (Note The overall principles of fencing and gating 3 To provide unhindered access for farm use and evolved from a series of discussions with all that this fence will only be in position during those are as follows: statutory authorities throughout. interested parties. The arrangements are shown periods of the year when livestock movements are 1 To ensure that livestock cannot stray onto the 4 To preclude motorbikes; achieved with “A” in the sketches. It is noted that these may be taking place). public roads. This is achieved by fencing off frames at either end. reviewed from time to time as the project beds in. 8 Tutshill Sluice North Side lengths of the railway path with gates at either 5 To give a reasonably free passage for walkers 1 Wick Lane Entrance The public will rejoin their separate path via wicket end of these fenced sections to give double and cyclists; achieved with narrow cattle grids The existing 4.5m locked gate will be retained gate. The farmer anticipates that the fencing security. for cyclists and self closing wicket gates on all for work access and IDB use. An “A” frame will will be permanent on this side of the sluice. The 2 To fence off as much of the route as possible so internal boundaries. control the entrance for the public. An additional existing gate across the sluice will be repositioned that the public do not mix with livestock more 4.5m gate will be placed in the new railway some 5m back to allow space for the wicket gate. than necessary – 1440 metres fenced off with boundary fence for access to the farm fi eld should 9 Start of River Bank 70m dual use. this be required. (Note this arrangement may A 4.5m gate is required for the Environment have to be revised should a project to restore the Agency. This gate and adjacent fencing may need original station take place). to be modifi ed once the Environment Agency’s 14 2 A Future Car Park bank raising has been completed. A Schedule of gates Initial proposals for a car park have been deleted. and access controls to 13 10 Boundary on Flood Bank ensure smooth running of 3 Access to F. Parson’s Field A 4.5m locked gate for the Environment Agency. The existing gate will be moved south by 10m the farm business and to 12 11 Farm Crossing … and a new 4.5m gate into the fi eld provided. The allow the public a ready This requires TWO 4.5m wide farm gates carefully existing gate will be kept locked for use by the IDB passage arranged so as to be convenient for cattle 11 and the public will use parallel wicket gate and movements to the fi elds across the railway line. narrow cattle grid. When livestock is moving from fi eld to fi eld the 10 4 Entrance to Parson Trustee’s Field public will not be able to pass. Normally the gates 9 At present this is open and un-gated. This will be closed off across the fi elds and the path arrangement will provide a 4.5m gate into the fi eld will be unobstructed. 8 and a narrow cattle grid and wicket gate into the 12 Entrance to Field Section shared with fenced off corridor for the public. This will ensure farm trafﬁ c: Tutshill

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding The existing gate will be removed and will be that the public do not stray into the open fi eld Sluice, Sampson 7

… replaced by a 4.5m gate positioned just north Sluice and approach overlooking the river. The existing gate on the east of the new entrance to this fi eld. This gate will to the ﬁ elds side of the railway will remain unchanged (Note normally close off the fi eld, but will stop off the Table of gates and in each case the cattle grid could be omitted if path during cattle movements. The access to the accesses space was insuffi cient to fi t it in). fi eld will be eased with some new earthworks. 4 5 Sampson Sluice West 13 Start of Railway Path The public will join the sluice area via narrow cattle Existing gate to remain, but re-hung on new posts, Cattle grid

3 5 6 Wicket gate grid and wicket gate. A 4.5m fi eld gate will close Kissing gate Relocate gate

the redundant cattle grid removed, and “A” frame New farm gate

off the sluice area so that cattle are not “trapped” ‘A-frame’ barrier

provided for public access: This “A” frame to be Keep existing gate in a short cul-de-sac. provided with a wicket gate which could be closed 1 Wick Road 1 - 1 - - - 1 6 Sampson Sluice East when livestock are moving down Mud Lane. 2 Car park gate deleted ------The public will continue along the fl ood bank 14 Across Mud Lane 3 F. Parsons gate - 1 1 - 1 1 - through a cattle grid and wicket gate. The Provide a gate across Mud Lane just west of the 2 4 Parson’s Trustees gate - - 1 - 1 1 - Environment Agency will have access via a 4.5m access to Mr Cole’s fi eld. This could be closed 5 Sampson Sluice west - - 1 - 1 1 - locked gate and a separate 4.5m gate will close when Mr Harris takes sheep into that fi eld. 6 Sampson Sluice east - - 2 - 1 1 - off the farm access road. (Note at the Tutshill end 7 Tutshill Sluice south - - - - 1 - - of this fl ood bank section Environment Agency 8 Tutshill Sluice north - 1 - - 1 - - access will be by removing the farm’s electric wire 9 Start of river bank ------fence). 1 10 Boundary on fl ood bank - - 1 - - - - 7 Tutshill Sluice South Side 11 Farm crossing of railway path - - 2 - - - - The public will join the sluice crossing via a 12 Entrance to Mud Lane fi eld - - 1 - - - - wicket gate. This will be provided with insulated 13 Start of railway path ------1 14 Mud Lane arrangements - - 1 - - - - 1 2 12 - 6 4 2 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 3

- X ------X X ------Gate into Trustee’s fi eld -- -- - X X ------Tutshill Crossing: -- - - X X ------Gate into fi eld and access -- - 4 ------X X Map 2 of 5 showing Railway Path -- to railway track - - -X---- KEY -- Route for walkers ------& cyclists X ACCESS CONTROLS: X WG “A” frame/wicket gate/ Livestock & farm route - AF CG C View through railway path looking towards -- -- cattle grid: see page 8 C -- Sampson Sluice X - -- Clear track of grass and trim -- Public and livestock -- X -- -- surface with new binding stone -- -- share common space New fi eld Sow verges with wild fl ower mix -- - 1 GATES: see page 2 -- X - -- fence Existing farm -- -- X X ------X ------X Permanent fence - - D -- - road along side ------DETAILS: plans/cross sections -- X -- A Electric fence of adjacent fi eld - • ------• ------• -- -- X ------X - 1m -- -- Gate into fi elds -- X ------3 -- - -- Gate 3: Arrangement at boundary of Mr F Parson’s land X ------X D Gate 4: to Trustee’s fi eld and start of fenced section of path -- -- 6.0m ------X - - - x -- X 3m ------x ------Existing X ------X track Track width -- - x ------approx 3m - -- x X ------X ------x x ------x X -- x New fence - - -- X -- - x -- -- 1m -- -- x - -- X -- - - New 4.5m - X --

… - -- - gate -- -- 6m -- -- x -- X -- -- - X ------4.5m gate - -- - - C X -- x - - Note: both the Environment -- X - - Replace ------Existing gate into x - -- 4 - existing fence X -- adjacent ﬁ eld Agency and the IDB will continue - x x - X x -- - -- remains - – ------– - - to have access rights along the -- X - – -- X x -- - x East-town Rhyne▼ -- -- ▼ -- -- ▼ ▲ line of the railway track -- -- ▼ - ▼ ▲ X -- ▲ ▼ ▲ -- X ▼ x -- - ▼ ▲ x - ▲ – -- - ▼

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding - - ▲ – - -- ▼ -- - ▼ ▲ -- ▲ – X - ▼ ▲ Construct

– … - ▼ x - X ▲

- ▼ ▲ x - -- – stone road -- - ▼ ▲

- – – -- - ▲

- - – - ▲ – - - to serve both -- ▲ x X – - X Scale 1:1250 at A3 – gates -- – - -- –

- - x - - –

-- - (80mm grid square = 100m) - – -- - x -- - – – X

- X – – ------– – ------x Reuse x 10m -- -- - – X - existing

– -- X -- -- gate set at – ------– ------convenient x --

X – - X angle for -- - – ------– -- -- farmer - - – - --

- x X -- X 4.5m gate ------x X - X – -- - 3 - -- – -- - – 4.5m ------– -- X x - X - - – ------– -- - 2 way closing wicket - -- – -- - -- – X gate 1.5m wide, cattle X x -- - -- grid 1.2m wide, 2.0m – ------– -- - - - long and new 4.5m – New - -- - – X X gate all set back 10m x fence -- - Top of Map 1 - - – ------from existing gate – against ------– - -- location – railway X X - x -- -- path - - – ------– - -- – - - Note: separate access – X X - - x -- - - - must be provided to both Mr – ------– ------Parson’s ﬁ eld and the railway – - X – X track at all times -- - x ------View along line of former railway ------X X ------X X © Crown Copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance survey 100023397. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of the data to third parties in any form. WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 4

Tutshill Crossing: Map 3 of 5 showing Tutshill and Sampson Sluices NOTE: All fence and gate details to be agreed on site with landowner. Details at Sampson Sluice are shown on the next page. ACCESS CONTROLS: Fencing and gating arrangements at AF WG CG “A” frame/wicket gate/ H Section through proposed widening of track either side of Tutshill Sluice either end of Environment Agency dam cattle grid: see page 8 and at north side of sluice Clean off Fence as required 4.5m gate 1 GATES: see page 2 verge 1.5m New farm track base 300mm thick for EA To estuary on polypropylene base DETAILS: plans/cross sections A Riverbank to To Yeo Route for walkers & New ﬁ ll compacted Bank cyclists in 3m wide layers railway route Livestock & farm route Farm

Public and livestock share common space Reposition Field

X ------X ------X Permanent fence

X existing gate

- -

- - fence

- - -

- 5m from Tutshill

Electric fence -

• ------• ------• X -

- -

- X 4.5m wide locked gate for Environment Agency Sluice and close

- -

Fence at bottom of slope - -

- -

- Widening farm track

- access and post for electric fence wire to sluice off seaward side with -

X -

- -

on east side in ﬁ eld - -

- -

-- X permanent fence on inland side

- -

X -

- -

-- X

Bring in stone to raise - - New 1.5m

- - ---

- - X-- --- 2m 4m

- - -- X

- - ---

- - -X

path over low point here - --- self closing - -

--- - X x X ------X - - - --X wicket gate … ------X ------X- - and fence ------x 4.5m wide locked gate for - -X------both sides - X 9 Environment Agency - - 5m - of sluice - x

X 8

- -

- x

- - 10 - -

Site of former railway bridge. - Barbed wire fence x - - -

- - - - - Tutshill Sluice -

- - - - -

set back 2m from The opportunity for reconstructing - - -

X x Shared use - - -

- structure - - - - -

this should not be lost sight of - edge of stone track - x -

- - - across Tutshill

- - -

- Gate and steps to sluice ------x - - - - Sluice - - - X 7 - - - - - x - - - Remove gate at the eastern end of Sampson Sluice - - - Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding x - - - - - H - - and place it at the western end along with an adjacent - -

… - - Widen top - - 4m x - - - 1.2m wide self closing wicket gate. This will prevent - x - - - 4m wide track as shown - - - - - livestock becoming corralled in the sluice area - - - - Fence - in sketch H, to - - - x x - - - down to - - allow public to - - - - 50m - - - - low water - - Shared use across be fenced off - - - x x - - - Two 4.5m gates in fences to enable - - Sampson Sluice from livestock ------4.5m gate -

Environment Agency access along - - X X

X - x

- -

- - - - - x

- - -

- 2m wide -

the bank top - - - -

- - - - -

X X X

X -

- Details F and G on next page x - - -

- F - -

- x

- X -

- - -

- -

X X X

X WG - -

- -

------

- X

X X -

- -

- - -

- X -

- -

- - - -

- -

- - - -

- - -

X -

- -

- - -

- X

- - -

- - To

- - ▲

- X -

▲ -

- -

- - ▲

- - 150m

- - -

- - WG

▲

- -

- - -

- -

X ▲

- - --

- - -

- - --

1:20 ramp from railway - X X -

- -

- ▲

- - -- -

- -

- -- -

- - - X X X

X X

- -

- - - - -

- - -

----- X -- G X

- -

- X

- -

- - -

- X -

- ﬁ e l d s

- -

X X

- -

X -

- -

- - -

- -

to bank, 15m long -

- -

X -

- -

X -

- -

- - -

- - - - - X ------

- X - - - -

- - -

- X ------

X X X

X -- -

- -

- - See Environment

- - -

- X -

- -

- - 6 Reposition existing

- Agency cross

X X X

X -- 5 -

- -

- - -

- X

- gate if necessary

- - sections, page 6

- -

- - - -

X X X

X --

- -

Create space for public by widening - - -

- X -

- -

- - Drain low point

- - track to 3m and fencing off - -

- New gates to allow Environment

X X X X X X X X

X -

------

X X

X X of sluice crossing

- -

- Agency access along top of bank New 3m farm road constructed

- -

- on this side -

- and farmer access from Sampson along ﬁ eld edge to ramp up to X Shared use at ﬁ eld entrance Sluice to farm road. Remove rejoin bank at Sampson Sluice X Scale 1:1250 at A3 -- existing gate at Sampson Sluice. -- - X (80mm grid square = 100m) X ------X X © Crown Copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance survey 100023397. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of the data to third parties in any form. WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 5

Tutshill Crossing: Map 3 of 5 (continued) Details at Sampson Sluice and Tutshill crossing

NOTE: All fence and gate details to be agreed on site with landowner. x

x 1.5m wide 4.5m wide 4.5m wide locked G Section through new farm track between Sampson Sluice and Tutshill Sluice Embankment

New ﬁ eld fence

self closing farm gate Environment 3.0m wide track

Construct new farm road 3m wide, 300mm thick from

from end of sluice

▼

x ▼ wicket gate for access Agency gate on top of bank ▼ Trim up existing

▼

Bank to be recycled stone on polypropylene at position advised by EA ▼

wall to gate

▼ ▼

stone track and if

▼

extended

▼

x ▼ necessary raise to new

▼

▼ Add sheep netting

▼

▼ Environment Agency

▼ x ▼ to existing fence as

levels (8.45m AOD)

x ▼

–x an interim measure

x –x––

x––

––– ––x–––x–––x–––x

x x x x–

▲ ▲

x ▲ ▲ x ▲

x ▲ x –– – x–––– – – ▲ –––x x– –– Final position of fence –x –– once bank extended –– x x– –– x ▼ –x –– –– x ▼ – 1.5m wide self –– – ▼ x closing wicket gate ––– x ▼ – ▼ ––– x ▼ –– ▼ ––x ▼ – 4.5m wide farm gate for access –– … –x– New ramps constructed – –– with additional material placed Information notices: it would be behind the fl ood bank interesting to make up boards at each sluice giving their history and 3m wide farm track that of the lowlands they protect to fi eld edge New fi eld fence placed on line agreed with Environment Agency F Plan of arrangements at Sampson Sluice Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding …

EXISTINGLEVELS CHAINAGE EXISTINGLEVELS CHAINAGE FILL LEVELS PROPOSED FILL LEVELS PROPOSED TOPSOIL TOPSOIL

LEVEL EXISTINGLEVELS CHAINAGE LEVEL CHAINAGE EXISTINGLEVELS FILL LEVELS PROPOSED FILL LEVELS PROPOSED TOPSOIL TOPSOIL 10 10 5 5

6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9

LEVEL LEVEL 10 5.996 00.000 10 5.908 00.000 5 5 DEFENCE LEVEL DESIGN FLOOD 7.7 HATAPPROX. 6 7 8 9 6 7 8 9 6.3 MHWS

5.996 00.000 5.908 00.000 8.57 DEFENCE LEVEL DESIGN FLOOD 7.7 HATAPPROX. 7.7 HATAPPROX. 6.3 MHWS DEFENCE LEVEL DESIGN FLOOD

8570 8.57 6.3 MHWS 8.57 7.7 HATAPPROX. DEFENCE LEVEL DESIGN FLOOD

8570 6.3 MHWS 8.57

… Binding margin – A3 single sided … Cross section S150 section Cross Agency (150m) Environment by the built as Agency Environment by the built as (50m) S50 section Cross

6.699 10.000 7.354 10.000 REMOVE EXISTINGHARDCORETRACK 6.699 10.000 7.354 10.000 TO COMPACTCOREMATERIAL REMOVE EXISTINGHARDCORETRACK COMPACTED HARDCORETRACKTOBEREINSTATED TO COMPACTCOREMATERIAL COMPACTED HARDCORETRACKTOBEREINSTATED SEE DETAILB.DRAWINGNO.PB1621-2008

8.032 12.652 WESTON TOCLEVEDONCYCLEROUTE-TUTSHILLCROSSINGPROPOSALSKINGSTONSEYMOURWICKSTLAWRENCE • SEE DETAILB.DRAWINGNO.PB1621-2008

8.032 12.652 CROSS SECTIONS150. SEE DRAWINGNo.PB1621-2003 CROSS SECTIONS50.SEEDRAWINGNo.PB1621-2003 CROSS SECTION S150.SEEDRAWING No.PB1621-2003 CROSS SECTIONS50.SEEDRAWINGNo.PB1621-2003 REMOVE EXISTINGHARDCORETRACK

8.620 14.993 TO COMPACTCOREMATERIAL 8.62 REMOVE EXISTINGHARDCORETRACK

8.620 14.993 COMPACTED HARDCORETRACKTOBEREINSTATED TO COMPACTCOREMATERIAL 8.62 SCALE: H1:500,V1:500.DATUM:5.000 SCALE: H1:500,V1:500.DATUM:5.000 8.121 16.285 HELD INABEYANCE COMPACTED HARDCORETRACKTOBEREINSTATED SEE DETAILB.DRAWINGNO.PB1621-2008 7.991 16.596 SCALE: H1:500,V1:500.DATUM:5.000 4000 SCALE: H1:500,V1:500. DATUM: 5.000

8.121 16.285 1 HELD INABEYANCE SEE DETAILB.DRAWINGNO.PB1621-2008 4 7.991 16.596 4000 1 4

8.620 18.260 8.62

8.620 18.260 TBC 19.030 8.62

8.093 19.672 TBC 19.030

7.894 20.000 4000 7.258 20.000

8.093 19.672

7.894 20.000 4000 7.258 20.000 CRACKING TO REMOVEORGANICMATTERDESICCATION, TOPSOIL STRIPANDBENCH(MAX250mmSTEPS) CRACKING TBC 22.297 TO REMOVEORGANICMATTERDESICCATION, TOPSOIL STRIPANDBENCH(MAX250mmSTEPS) HELD INABEYANCE

TBC 22.297 HELD INABEYANCE

6.974 23.988

6.974 23.988 150mm TOPSOIL CRACKING TO REMOVEORGANICMATTERDESICCATION, TOPSOIL STRIPANDBENCH(MAX250mmSTEPS) 150mm TOPSOIL CRACKING TO REMOVEORGANICMATTERDESICCATION, TOPSOIL STRIPANDBENCH(MAX250mmSTEPS) 4 TYPE AFILL 1 4 4 1 TYPE AFILL 1 4 1 150mm TOPSOIL TYPE AFILL 150mm TOPSOIL TYPE AFILL 6.792 30.000 5.202 30.000 6.787 6.787 30.228

5.169 30.348 AUGUST2015•PAGE 6

6.792 30.000 5.202 30.000 6.787 6.787 30.228 5.169 30.348

FOR CONSTRUCTION 5.121 5.121 33.631

6.396 36.972

6.396 36.972 5.199 37.719

5.199 37.719 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 7

Tutshill Crossing: Map 4 of 5 showing Tutshill Farm Gate beyond farm

Yeo Bank

14 - Lane to -

X - MUD LANE

- -

- - X Kingston

- -

- - 13

- -

- - Seymour

AF- -

- -

Any surplus - - - -

- -

- - -

- X

soil from this - -

X -

- Keep existing gate, remove

- -

- - -

part of the - - X

- - grid and include “A” frame

- -

project to -

X -

- X

- -

be used to - -

- -

- - -

landscape X X

- -

station - -

- - X

- -

area –

X –

------Fence and plant with - - - - X - - -- - solid hedging as far - X -

- x x ------as south end of barn. - - – – - - - X - - – – - - - - Past the barn itself, - - x x X - - Gate 12

… -

- – – - - fence to be 1.8m high - - J -

- – – - X 3.0m Access to - - - -

- x x Sketch through Vegetation can ﬂ ourish and - - a - - path - Field adjacent

X - – – - K railway track possibly additional trees planted - - - - - – – to Mud Lane - 4.5m gates - X K - - - - x x ------X - - - - - x - Note - X

- - – ------Gates would

- – - - - - -

X - x normally be - - - X - – - - - - closed to allow - - - - – ------free use of the

- x - X - 5.0m - – path (a) - X ------– ------x

- x - - This gate closes off access to - - - Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding X –

- X

- - – - - path when livestock are being

- x - - … - - - x - - - – - - - moved into ﬁ eld – - - -

–

X – X b - - - - x - x - - - -

- –

- - – ------–

12 – - -

X X x - x - - - -

- – - – ------– - – - - - -

- x X x X - - ACCESS CONTROLS: x - x ------– - - – - - WG “A” frame/wicket gate/ - - AF CG - - – - – - - X cattle grid: see page 8 - - x - x X - -- – - - – Gate 11 ------J Note – - – - -- Farm Crossing -- GATES: see page 2 x - X 1 x - - Both gates swing -- – X – -- across path when -- – -- – - cattle are going x X DETAILS: plans/cross sections x X A from fi eld to fi eld -- - X -- Improve existing farm Provide two new - -- Route for walkers & (c) -- -- 4.5m gates -- -- c - - accommodation crossing cyclists drinking troughs, -- X - - - -- X Livestock & farm route one in each fi eld, -- - as shown in the sketch ------X -- and supply from farm - -- -- X Public and livestock ------share common space - -- - - X -- 11 - - -- X - - X ------X ------X -- - Permanent fence ------Note X - x - - x - X Electric fence -- • ------• ------• – – - -- This gate ------– – -- - swings across - -- Shared use x - x X - - 3.0m – path to allow -- X – -- - – -- -- – path cattle north up - - x ------x the track (b) X -- –

Fence at bottom of – - Scale 1:1250 at A3 - X - – - -- – ------bank on this side (80mm grid square = 100m) x - x ------X - and in this ﬁ eld - - X ------X - X

© Crown Copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance survey 100023397. You are not permitted to copy, sub-license, distribute or sell any of the data to third parties in any form. WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 8

Tutshill Crossing: Map 5 of 5 – Ecological and Bird Habitat Issues

The map shows the location and boundaries of the areas of ecological and wildlife interest. The old railway to the north of the area of the sluices is Map showing proposed location of included in the boundary of the local wildlife site path in relation to designated sites (RRW5566, Congresbury Yeo, adjacent land and rhynes). The Halcrow Report, Phase 1 Habitat Survey, April 2010, recommended careful detailing of the Route follows line of old railway Wildlife site construction programme, keeping the works to shown in the line of the existing tracks and hedge planting green stipple: with local species to enhance the existing unimproved and species-poor boundaries. semi improved grassland In the notes shown here it is also proposed to plant a number of trees in the hedgerows in order to give scale and location to the route and shade for its travellers.

… The Halcrow Winter and Passage Bird Survey, September 2010, found that all the feeding grounds in this part of the estuary were down channel and out of sight of the route of the proposed path. It concluded that the possible disturbance to birds was considered to be negligible. However despite this the report recommended that the cycling route should be screened by the Tutshill Sluice Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding use of willow hurdles. This point has not been … taken forward for a number of reasons; 1. This most upper point of the tidal river is the one sighting of the estuary the public have and as such it is an important feature of their route. On this side the bank top access 2. This section of the riverbank is scheduled to be track is outside raised in the near future and any such fencing Sampson Sluice the SSSI site, would have to be dismantled. It would be better to Boundary of SSSI, SAC whilst to the east install fencing after such works, if the experience and RAMSAR area and the north the of the actual operation of the path is thought to track is included require it. 3. It is not thought that such screening could be maintained in this remote and windswept location, particularly as it would be seen to be obtrusive and an unnecessary barrier by the general public. This estuary site will be an opportunity for interpretive boards and information about the estuary, its importance and its attractions. WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 9

Details of gates and fencing Examples of access controls “A” frame

Steel kissing gate Two way opening wicket gate …

Kissing gate Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding …

Ground level

Cattle grid WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 10

3.5m wide steel field gate 1.2m wide cattle grid with

timber posts and rails      Notes:   1. All steel parts to be   hot dip galvanised to   BS729 Part 1.  Any damage to the  galvanised finish to   be made good with   zinc rich paint of at  least equal thickness to the galvanising, all to BS5493. 2. Drainage to be  provided by 100 mm diameter pipe at location agreed on site.  3. This drawing to be   read in conjunction Timber sleeper with all other  drawings. … 

         Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding  … 

   Notes: 1. All steel parts to be hot dip galvanised to   BS729 Part 1.  Any damage to the   galvanised finish to  be made good with   zinc rich paint of at    least equal thickness  to the galvanising, all   to BS5493.  2. Drainage to be provided by 100 mm diameter pipe at   location agreed on site.   3. This drawing to be read in conjunction Timber sleeper with all other drawings. WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 11

Field fencing Method Statement covering construction and maintenance

Construction

The proposal is set out in the accompanying working notes. It comprises utilising existing gravel tracks including lengths along the former railway, together with short sections of new path, fencing and gates – all designed to create an attractive route for the public to use whilst at the same time to enable agricultural and drainage/flood defence management work to continue unhindered.

The existing surfaces will remain as compacted stone with some areas of new material to 2 lines barbed wire on field side, smooth off irregularities and to fill soft spots. This material will be brought in from the public 1 line smooth on path side roads at either end of the project, put in place by small dumpers and tracked excavators and compacted with small vibrating rollers. There will be no change of levels except where this is required to meet the bank top levels required by the Environment Agency.

The four sections of new path will be constructed as follows;

… - through the small borrow pit south of Sampson’s Sluice the existing fill in the borrow pit will be reshaped to make the necessary bank for the path shown in the section. Apart from the stone surfacing no additional material will be brought to the site. 1200 - the farm access track below the bank between Sampson’s Sluice and Tutshill Sluice will be carried out by local contractors appointed by Nigel Cole in order that the work for his access road can be to his complete satisfaction. Stone material will be brought over Tutshill Sluice from a stockpile on his farm.

- The widening of the bank either side of Tutshill Sluice itself will be carried out by the Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding EA’s contractors at the time of their wider works in 2014 …

- the section of new path to avoid Mud Lane will be constructed from the existing field access area.

All the fencing and gating will be installed by a single contractor working from the Mud Lane end of the work.

Maintenance

All the surfaces, fencing and gates will be maintained by North Somerset Council under the terms of their Agreements with the landowners. It is recognised that the Environment Agency wire and others will bring on heavy equipment from time to time and it is anticipated that the Agency will usually repair any severe damage caused at least to the standard they maintain the exist tracks. … Binding margin – A3 single sided … Tutshill Information Proposals: Additional Crossing Arrangements. the constructionare shownintheattachedTechnical 200 tonnestotheYeo BankLaneend. Thedetailsof some 100tonnesdelivered totheWickRoadendand and stone. Thequantitiesofthelatterwillamountto path. Themainmaterialsrequired are fencing,gates by alocalcontractorworkingfrom eachendofthe the fieldsatEaster2013. Theworkwillbecarriedout will becompletedbefore livestockareoutinto turned of thelandownersandsluiceoperatorsideally The constructionwillbetimedtosuittheconvenience Method Statement farm track. this rurallocationandwillcorrespond toaninformal Throughout thisworkthedesignwillbeappropriate for of newpathwillbeconstructedalongthefieldedge. maintain theprivacyofTutshill Farm,ashortlength of widening. Inorder tobypassMudLane,soas the surfacewithfinerstoneandalimitedamount for cyclingandtheworkswillbelimitedtosmoothing The existinghard stonesurfaceisgenerallysuitable DrainageBoardthe Internal foraccesstotheirsluices. all ofwhichisusedbytheEnvironment Agencyand The route followsthelineofformerlightrailway, access totheirrespective sluices. DrainageBoardAgency andtheInternal fortheirown Both thesegatesare already usedbytheEnvironment gates forconstructiontrafficandmaintenancevehicles. abuse bymotorcyclist, with adjacentlockedaccess Access willbeviaadjustable“A”framestocontrol from thepublicroads ateitherendofthe1.4kmlink. and Phipp’s Bridge. Theaccesstothislinkingroute is than followthemuchlongerroute viaEastHewish roads. Italsoallowsforramblers towalkthrough rather super–Mare toClevedon which followsgenerallyquiet This thenmakespossibleacyclingroute from Weston– Yeo RiverstoconnectWickRoadwithYeo BankLane. convenient andattractivecrossing oftheOldbridgeand DrainageBoardSomerset LevelsInternal toarrangea Landowners, theEnvironment AgencyandtheNorth The Tutshill Crossing Project isworkingcloselywiththe Design andAccessStatement WESTON TOCLEVEDONCYCLEROUTE-TUTSHILLCROSSINGPROPOSALSKINGSTONSEYMOURWICKSTLAWRENCE • Audit. Council are undertakingaseparatedetailedSafety overthisaspect NorthSomerset of localconcerns considerably saferthanexistingoptions.Because All inallitisconsidered thattheproposed route is Yatton start. 1km atMoorsideFarmfrom where footpathsroutes to there isnoimmediatefootpathconnectionuntilafter have tostandonesideletitpass.Onthis cyclist orwalkermeetsuchavehicletheywillclearly may takeupthewholewidthofroad. Shoulda isfarmtrafficwhich Seymour sidethemainconcern continuing overthefieldstoEbdon.OnKingston all asthere isafootpathfrom theendofrailway at weekends.Walkers neednotfollowtheroad at to bemore experienced,thanforexample,families and thosecommutingatanypeakhourare likely cyclists usingtheroute willbeoutsidethesetimes trying tobypassbottlenecksontheA370.Mostof there aboutrushhourtrafficonweekdays isconcern one sideoftheroad ortheother. OntheWickside good visibility, especiallywhere anopenrhyneforms lightly traffickedandformuchoftheirlengthhavea roads through WickStLawrence are generallyvery of theheavilytraffickedA370pastHewish.Theminor than theexistingroutes, piertopier, andavoids3.7kms road safetyperspective.Theroute is5.5kmsshorter improvement oncurrent routes whenviewedfrom a Ordinarily thisproposal wouldbeconsidered aclear Road SafetyAudit extension. be disturbedexceptovertheshortlengthofculvert outside anybird breeding season.Thedrainwillnot The workwillbecarriedoutinthewintermonthsand other organic matterwillbebrought ontothesite. materials tobeusedare all inert,andnotopsoilsor off siteandwellawayfrom anywatercourses, the the Environment. Plantand equipmentwillbestored It isnotconsidered thatthis project posesanyriskto impact ontheenvironment. report showsthatthescheme makesaverymodest small scaleoftheworks,andattachedEcological The Technical ArrangementsDocumentshowsthe Environmental RiskAssessment AUGUST2015•PAGE 12 … Binding margin – A3 single sided … 2005 2004 2003 2001 2000 1985/86 1979/80 1979 1970 Tutshill Crossing Proposals

North SomersetReplacement LocalPlan Kingston SeymourParishSurvey showsgood Sustrans purchaseslandandexchangesthisfor North SomersetCouncil, Asken Consultants North SomersetCyclingStrategyshowedthe Mr FParsonspursuesoptionsandsubmits Exhaustive discussionswithlandownersand Cyclebag, alocalcyclinggroupputforward Tutshill SluicebuilttoreplacePhipp’s Bridgeas local PlanInquiry fromParishCounciland others. continues toshowcrossing andtakesevidenceat support forcoastalpath in extensivediscussions03/04 lease onoldrailwayfromWickLaneandengages discussion prepares Tidal Trail Feasibility Report for construction in01/02 Clevedon –Weston routeasfirstpriorityfor planning applicationforroute. Avon supportive. Parish Councilsovertheseproposals route viatheSluices proposals foraClevedonandWeston cycling the tidalsluicesdownstreamofM5 WESTON TOCLEVEDONCYCLEROUTE-TUTSHILLCROSSINGPROPOSALSKINGSTONSEYMOURWICKSTLAWRENCE • A summary of events 1970/2012 Asummary 2012 2011/12 2011 2010/11 2006 2005 2005

Parish meetingsatKingston June30thandat Extensive discussionsincludingmeetingat (September) JohnGrimshawaskedbyNorth North SomersetLocal Access Forumdebatedthe DecisionfollowingInquiryfindsin Inspector’s Environment Agency havenoobjectionin Parish CouncilwishtoseeCoastalFootpath and discussprogrammeto goforward. Wick StLawrenceonJuly 11th tooutlineprogress Kingston SeymourParishCouncilon18 April of the Tutshill Crossingschemewithallparties Somerset Counciltoworkoutacceptabledetails April 2011 crossing onanumberofoccasions,including19th favour ofNorthSomersetproposalandcrossing principle tothecrossingat Tutshill Sluices downstream and EnglishNaturetoproposalofbridge objections receivedfromEnvironment Agency meeting todiscussissueswithGarethWithers, bridge overthe Yeo nearitsmouth.Parish AUGUST2015•PAGE 13 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 14

Land at Kingston Seymour: Extended Phase One Habitat survey (incorporating protected species assessment)

Contents Page Land at Kingston Seymour 1. Summary 2

2. Proposals and remit 3 Extended Phase One Habitat survey 2.1 Proposals 3 (incorporating protected species assessment) 2.2 Remit 3

3. Site description 4-7 3.1 General 4

3.2 Detailed 4-7 October 2012 4. Methodology 8-9 4.1 General 8 For North Somerset Council 4.2 Extended Phase One Habitat Survey 8 4.3 Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index assessment 8-9 … 5. Caveat 9

6. Results 10 6.1 General: Phase One Habitat Survey and plant species of note 10 6.2 Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index 10 6.3 Other protected species 10

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding

… 7. Discussion 11-12 7.1 Botanical value of the area of proposed development and areas adjacent 11 7.2 Potential value of the site for great crested newts 11 7.3 Potential value of the site with regard to other protected species 11 7.4 Timing of the survey 12 7.5 Survey effort with regard to protected species 12

8. Recommendations 13 8.1 Limit disturbance to the rhyne 13 8.2 Awareness of nesting birds 13

9. Conclusions 13

Phil Quinn (Ecology and land use) MIEEM Appendix 1: Plant species tables (DAFOR scores) 14-15 Flat 4, 15 Osborne Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2HB. Tel. 0117 9747012; mob. 0796 2062917; Appendix 2: HSI scores 16 email: [email protected] Site plan 17-18

1 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 15

Land at Kingston Seymour: Extended Phase One Habitat survey (incorporating protected species assessment) Land at Kingston Seymour: Extended Phase One Habitat survey (incorporating protected species assessment)

1. Summary 2. Proposals and remit

As part of the proposed creation of the Weston to Clevedon cycle route it was 2.1 Proposals necessary to establish the potential impact upon protected species along that It is proposed to create a cycle route between Weston and Clevedon. A small short section of the proposed route running parallel to Mud Lane / Yeo Bank section of this route (at ST383661) will run along the southern edge of an Lane at Tutshill Farm, Kingston Seymour. In particular the presence or likely agricultural field immediately north of Tutshill Farm, Kingston Seymour, and presence of great crested newt Triturus cristatus, otter Lutra lutra, and water vole parallel to a section of Mud Lane. A small car park extending for approximately Arvicola amphibius needed to be assessed, especially with regard to any 18 metres shall be created west of Mendip View Farm at a point where the cycle potentially negative impact upon these species that could be presented by the route joins Yeo Bank Lane. The creation of this car park shall require a short creation of the cyclepath at this location. length of rhyne (watercourse) to be culverted.

With regard to great crested newts it was necessary to undertake a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessment of the likely breeding habitat value of that 2.2 Remit section of watercourse where a proposed culvert shall be installed. To undertake an Extended Phase One Habitat Survey of the section of the proposed cycle route between the old railway line immediately north-west of This survey demonstrated that there was no evidence of any UK or European Tutshill Farm and the western edge of the Mendip View Farm complex at protected species within or immediately adjacent to the survey area; nor was

… Kingston Seymour, North Somerset. there any notable habitat, plant communities or plant species recorded here. The likelihood of UK and European protected species being present on or To undertake a great crested newt HSI survey over the watercourse within the immediately adjacent to the survey site was assessed as being low. survey area. This will help identify the likely presence or absence of this European Protected Species from these waterbodies. In addition to this to The watercourse within the survey area scored below average with regard to the undertake a survey for field signs, and assess the likely possibility of presence, of HSI although the hedgerow within the site does offer potential great crested newt other UK and European protected species. To also undertake a habitat survey of terrestrial habitat. the section of field, and field boundary that shall be impacted by construction of the proposed cyclepath and small associated car park. To identify any plant

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding species or habitats of note that could be negatively impacted by the proposals.

… To produce a report detailing the findings of the survey, including a great crested newt HSI and plant species tables with DAFOR scores. This report will assess the potential ecological impact of the proposals. Recommendations for further survey effort, if necessary, to be made as well as recommendations for management works to enhance the biodiversity value of the site where possible.

2 3 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 16

3. Site description The rhyne is between 2 and 3m wide and held approximately 0.25m of water at 3.1 General the time of survey. There was a freeboard of 1.25m with banks generally sloping The main survey area comprises a six metre wide strip on the southern edge of at less than 45 degrees throughout. For most of the length of the rhyne (Section an agricultural field, and a small watercourse (rhyne) with associated hedgerow, 1) there is a hedgerow on its southern (right) bank; this is managed to a flailed A trees and tall herb vegetation that form the southern boundary of this field. This shape and averages 3.5m in height and 1.5-2m in width. The hedge casts much area was subject to detailed survey effort. Landscape features (interconnecting shade onto the rhyne which has very little aquatic or emergent vegetation. Within boundary features) immediately adjacent to the main survey site were also the hedge there is some fencing. surveyed: this is an extended survey area where only evidence of protected species was sought. The eastern quarter of the survey area however is markedly different. In Section The site lies at ST383661 on the northern side of Mud Lane / Yeo Bank Lane 2 the watercourse is essentially as described above however the managed between Tutshill Farm and Mendip View Farm. It is situated at approximately 5m hedgerow terminates in a 19m length where very few shrubs and no trees are above sea level and has no discernible aspect. Immediately south of the survey present. Here there is dense common reed Phragmites australis in the rhyne and site are the metalled roads and to the south of Mud Lane are the buildings and much common duckweed Lemna minor on the surface of the rhyne. To the east gardens of Tutshill Farm as well as a pasture and a larger rhyne running along of this open area the nature of the boundary changes again as Section 3 the southern side of Yeo Bank Lane. comprises five mature pollard crack willows Salix fragilis with species-poor … unmanaged native scrub and tall herb vegetation on the rhyne banks. The site adjoins farmland to the north, west and east, which is predominantly permanent pasture; this adjacent land was not assessed for its ecological value.

3.2 Detailed The agricultural field has an improved (species-poor) sward and was grazed by sheep at the time of survey. There is a 5m wide band of tall-herb dominated vegetation along the southern edge of the field; a sheep fence divides the field

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding from the northern (left) rhyne bank which is also dominated by tall herb

… vegetation.

Dense reed growth in a limited area of the rhyne –looking west

Southern edge of the field –showing wide band of tall herb vegetation

4 5 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 17

… Pollard willows and scrub along Section 6

Section of rhyne immediately west of the existing field entrance

At the eastern end of Section 3 the rhyne is culverted through a large diameter plastic pipe beneath a wide field gateway set back some 4m from the road. This Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding

… gateway area (Section 4) supports species-poor vegetation amidst much bare ground (road planings). East of the gateway the watercourse emerges from the culvert into a confluence of two other rhynes -one flowing north to south (Section 5) and one east to west (Section 6) both of which have dense scrub and tree cover on their banks. The combined watercourse then flows through a culvert under the road.

Section 5 will not be impacted by the proposed works and so is not described in detail here except to describe its rhyne as being small and shallow with no apparent emergent or aquatic vegetation growing within the dense shade cast by woody vegetation on its banks. Sheep fencing is present on its western edge.

Section 6 runs between the eastern edge of Section 4 and Mendip View Farm. There are four mature pollard crack willows, a semi-mature horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastaneum, two young horse chestnuts and several elder Sambucus nigra bushes here –all of which cast shade onto the rhyne. The rhyne in Section 6 has similar dimensions to that west of the culvert (in Sections 1-4).

6 7 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 18

4. Methodology As the rhyne (a watercourse and not a waterbody) was subject to this survey the 4.1 General. HSI methodology has had to be adapted slightly -particularly with regard to The site was subject to a detailed two hour survey on 18th October 2012 by Phil assessing area and “pond count” - but apart from these exceptions it is Quinn (MIEEM) an experienced field ecologist with over twenty years experience essentially the standard HSI methodology. of botanical survey, ecological site evaluation and protected species survey – primarily in south-west England. 5. Caveat Full access was gained to the whole site. Climatic conditions were dry and sunny; part of a somewhat changeable period of weather. Rainfall levels over summer The botanical survey of the proposed development area was limited to recording 2012 had been higher than average across much of the UK with a concomitant plant species present in both vegetative and floristic forms at the time of survey. impact upon many waterbodies and watercourses. The lack of any species record from this report can not be taken to automatically infer that species’ absence from those areas at other times. 4.2 Extended Phase One Habitat Survey Habitat assessment was in accordance with the JNCC Handbook for Phase 1 The HSI assessments contain an element of subjectivity reliant upon the habitat survey: A technique for environmental audit (2007). All vascular plant surveyor’s experience of waterbody survey. In addition HSI scores are only species within and immediately adjacent to the proposed development area were indicators of the likely presence or absence of great crested newts; high scores … recorded to DAFOR level with species lists and DAFOR scores recorded cannot be taken as evidence that great crested newts will be present, equally low separately for each of the habitats recorded where: scores cannot be taken as evidence that this species will be absent. The assessments only provide a form of objectified guidance as to the probability of D = Dominant great crested newts being present. A = Abundant F = Frequent Field signs of some protected species e.g. otter and water vole can be removed O = Occasional by increased water levels and thus their absence cannot entirely be seen as R = Rare proof of absence of that species. Evidence of breeding birds at the time of survey

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding is likely to have been poor and unrepresentative due to the survey taking place in

… Where a species has a distinctively patchy distribution the letter L can be mid October. prefixed, e.g. LO or Locally Occasional. The area subject to a detailed survey was covered by this methodology.

Field signs of protected species were sought across the survey site (both detailed and extended area) in addition to assessment being made on the suitability of the site to support these species. The protected species with potential to be on this site or within the immediate adjacent landscape include: great crested newt, otter, water vole, badger Meles meles, bat species Chiroptera, reptiles, and breeding birds.

4.3 Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index assessment This was conducted in line with ARG UK Advice Note 5 produced by the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the United Kingdom. Advice Note 5 is in turn based upon the HSI developed by Oldham et al (2000).

The HSI records ten factors with regard to each waterbody and scores these factors according to scales from 0.01 to 1; the ten individual factor scores are multiplied together and the tenth root of this number is calculated to the power of 0.1. The calculated HSI for a pond should score between 1 and close to 0.

8 9 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 19

6. Results 7. Discussion

6.1 General: Phase One Habitat Survey and plant species of note 7.1 Botanical value of the area of proposed development and areas The site proposed for the route of the proposed cycle path – the southern edge of adjacent the sheep-grazed pasture has no habitat or plant species of nature conservation At the time of survey the area of the proposed cycle track and its immediate interest. It comprises dense tall herb vegetation (predominantly creeping thistle environs did not support habitats or species of any nature conservation Cirsium arvense and nettle Urtica dioica) with species-poor rank grassland. importance. It is the surveyor’s considered opinion that it is unlikely that the agricultural field and the field boundary will support plant species of note at a Within the sections of rhyne and rhyne bank within the survey area there were more optimal time of year. also no plant species or habitats of nature conservation value. The pollard crack willows on the rhyne banks within the east of the survey area are landscape 7.2 Potential value of the site for great crested newts features of some value but are a common tree species of low nature The HSI was adapted here so the rhyne could be viewed as a pond – the HSI is conservation value. The ephemeral / short perennial, tall herb and poor semi- designed as an assessment of waterbodies. Thus the HSI score must be taken improved grassland habitats on and adjacent to the field gateway (Section 4) is as only a crude approximation of the rhyne’s value for breeding great crested similarly of no nature conservation value and supports no plant species or newts. It is of note that the rhyne has a slow but discernible easterly flow; this is habitats of value. likely to be more pronounced during periods of high rainfall. Such a flow has the potential to sweep juvenile great crested newts out of the rhyne and into the … 6.2 Great crested newt Habitat Suitability Index larger watercourses to which the rhyne is connected. This will be inimical to great The Habitat Suitability Index was designed to assess the value of waterbodies as crested newt populations and is likely to deter them from using the rhyne as a great crested newt breeding habitat. The rhyne at the centre of this survey is a breeding site. watercourse with a discernible flow (though slight at the time of survey). The HSI scoring system has been adapted to allow the rhyne to be assessed as if it is a 7.3 Potential value of the site with regard to other protected species pond. The scoring and rationale for this are present in Appendix 2 of this report. The site offers habitat suitable for the following protected species that have the potential to be within the wider landscape surrounding the site: The HSI score for the rhyne is 0.603; this places it in the category of “Average”

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding with regard to its potential value as a great crested newt breeding site. However Otters: the adjacent larger rhyne south of Yeo Bank Lane could be used by otters

… the shallowness of the water column was notable here; shallowness of the water for foraging or commuting. Boundary features with dense tree and scrub growth column is a critical negative factor with regard to a site’s suitability for great in the immediate area around the survey site could potentially offer otter holt or crested newts and is not assessed within the standard HSI. laying-up opportunities. Badgers: this species could forage over the fields in this area given the quality of 6.3 Other protected species habitat. There was no evidence of otter, water vole or badger from the survey site or from Bats: it is likely that some bat species will roost in the general area and will immediately adjacent areas of land. It is believed (pers com. Mr Nick Michael) forage or commute along or adjacent to the survey site. that an artificial otter holt was constructed at a location north of the survey site. Breeding birds: It is likely that a variety of native bird species (both resident and No evidence of otter (such as spraints, prints, feeding remains, runs through summer migrants) will either nest in or near the shrubs, trees and hedgerow vegetation or possible holts) were identified during this survey. within the survey area. Waterfowl, e.g. moorhens Gallinula chlorops, may nest along the watercourse. Distinctive field signs of bats such as piles of droppings around or on tree Reptiles: The rhyne and adjacent tall vegetation could be used as a foraging and hollows, crevices or flaking bark were briefly sought. There was no evidence of commuting site by grass snakes Natrix natrix whilst the drier sections of hedge, bat activity from those mature and semi-mature trees subject to a brief visual scrub and tall herb habitat on site could be utilised by slow-worms Anguis fragilis. survey. Indeed no trees on or immediately adjacent to this site have potential to However the survey site on its own is unlikely to be of high value to any reptile act as a bat roost as they lack bat roost features. species and is best seen as of potential reptile value as part of a network of boundary features. There were very few potential reptile and newt refugia to survey on this site. Those that were surveyed (pieces of rotten wood) did not yield any evidence of reptiles or amphibians beneath them.

10 11 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 20

7.4 Timing of the survey 8. Recommendations The timing of this habitat survey was slightly sub-optimal with regard to the ease of identification of most grassland and wetland / aquatic species. It is likely that 8.1 Limit disturbance to the rhyne some early-flowering herbs and grasses would not have been evident at the time It is recommended that no works are done to those parts of the rhyne and its of survey in vegetative, floristic or seed forms. However the species that were associated habitat other than what is required to culvert the small section at and recorded suggest a site with low botanical diversity that is unlikely to support near the current farm gate to facilitate the creation of the car park. species of note at other times of year. 8.2 Awareness of nesting birds 7.5 Survey effort with regard to protected species It is recommended that any vegetation clearance works associated with creation The primary purpose of this survey was to establish the likely impact that the of the culvert and the car park are either undertaken outside the recognised main proposed development might have upon protected species likely to be on or bird nesting season, or are surveyed by an experienced ecologist prior to any adjacent to the development site. No detailed protected species surveys were clearance works taking place. The ecologist can then inform the project team on undertaken as part of this survey; only incidental attempts were made to identify the presence or absence of nesting birds. Should nesting birds be present in the field signs in likely habitats. However habitat features appeared to be sub-optimal area to be cleared it will be necessary to delay clearance works until the ecologist for the requirements of most UK and European protected species. declares any such active nest to be disused. It may be possible to proceed with clearance works away from an active nest as long as an accepted cordon of undisturbed vegetation around the nest is respected by project staff. …

9. Conclusions

The proposed development is unlikely to negatively impact upon the value of the rhyne as potential great crested newt breeding habitat given its approximated HSI score which suggests the watercourse is of average value in this regard.

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding No other feature on the site demonstrates evidence or likely presence of UK or

… European protected species and it is here suggested as unlikely that such species would utilise the site on anything other than an incidental basis.

Breeding birds could utilise the scrub, trees and hedgerow within the survey area as nesting sites. As such it is recommended that any felling or removal of such woody vegetation either be undertaken outside the main bird nesting season (i.e. between mid August and mid March inclusive), or is undertaken only after an experienced ecologist has undertaken a survey of the area to be cleared and found no evidence of nesting birds.

12 13 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 21

Appendix 1: Plant species tables (DAFOR scores) Black medick Medicago lupulina O Hemlock water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata R Rhyne Rhyne Rhyne Field Field Common reed Phragmites australis O / LF Common name Scientific name banks banks gateway Bristly ox-tongue Pichris echioides F O (non- (woody) and road Ribwort Plantago lanceolata R O woody) verge Greater plantain Plantago major O F Annual meadow-grass Poa annua F O A Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastaneum O Common knotgrass Polygonum aviculare R Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera O R O Poplar Populus species R Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris O Silverweed Potentilla anserina R O Fool’s water-cress Apium nodiflorum R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans R O Greater burdock Arctium lappa R Bullace Prunus domestica institia R False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius F O Blackthorn Prunus spinosa F / LD Hartstongue Asplenium scolopendrium R Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens F O F Wild turnip Brassica napa R bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. A Black mustard Brassica nigra R

… Broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius R O Hedge bindweed Calystegia sepium A Crack willow Salix fragilis F Wavy bitter-cress Cardamine flexuosa R Elder Sambucus nigra O Hairy sedge Carex hirta R R Stone parsley Sison amomum R Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense D LD R Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara R Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare LF R Hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica R Hazel Corylus avellana R Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. O O Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna F/ LD Upright hedge parsley Torilis japonica O R Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata F O F Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding Red clover Trifolium pratense O R O Common teasel Dipsacus fullonum R … White clover Trifolium repens F F F Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas R Scentless mayweed Tripleuropsermum inodorum R R Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum F English elm Ulmus procera O Red fescue Festuca rubra R O Nettle Urtica dioica A LD O / LA Cut-leaved crane’s-bill Geranium dissectum R O Common vetch Vicia sativa O O Dove’s-foot crane’s-bill Geranium molle R R Bush vetch Vicia sepium O R Hedgerow crane’s-bill Geranium pyrenaicum R

Herb robert Geranium robertianum O Ground ivy Glechoma hederacea O Ivy Hedera helix A O

Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium O R

Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus O A F Soft rush Juncus effusus R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis O Common duckweed Lemna minor R / LD Garden privet Ligustrum ovalifolium R Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne A D A Pineappleweed Matricaria discoidea R

14 15 WESTON TO CLEVEDON CYCLE ROUTE - TUTSHILL CROSSING PROPOSALS - KINGSTON SEYMOUR TO WICK ST LAWRENCE • AUGUST 2015 • PAGE 22

Land at Kingston Seymour: Extended Phase One Habitat survey (incorporating protected species assessment)

Appendix 2: HSI scores

Factor 1: Geographical location – SI 1 (Optimal) Factor 2: Pond area – approx 300m sq - SI 0.5 Factor 3: Permanence – guessing it dries between three years in ten to most years - SI 0.5 Factor 4: Water quality – Low invertebrate diversity - SI 0.33 Factor 5: Shade – 90% therefore - SI 0.4 Factor 6: Waterfowl – Absent (though moorhen may be present) – SI 1 Factor 7: Fish – Possible (e.g. sticklebacks to be expected) – SI 0.67 Factor 8: Pond count (rhynes are here substituted for ponds) - >10 per km2 – SI 1 Factor 9: Terrestrial habitat – Poor <25% of available area – SI 0.33 Factor 10: Macrophytes - <5% - SI 0.3

Total SI: 1 + 0.5+ 0.5+ 0.33 + 0.4 + 1 + 0.67 + 1 + 0.33 + 0.3 divided by 10 = 0.603 (Average)

NB These scores are approximations as the survey site is a watercourse but the HSI methodology was devised for waterbodies

…

Binding margin – A3 single sided single A3 – margin Binding …