Road Investment Strategy M25 Junction 25 Improvements Environmental Study Report October 2016 v2.1, 25 October 2016 Registered office Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford GU1 4LZ Highways England Company Limited registered in England and Wales number 09346363 M25 Junction 25 Improvements: Environmental Study Report Notice This document and its contents have been prepared and are intended solely for Highway England’s information and use in relation to the M25 Junction 25 Improvements Environmental Study Report. Atkins Ltd assumes no responsibility to any other party in respect of or arising out of or in connection with this document and/or its contents. Document control The Project Manager is responsible for production of this document, based on the contributions made by his/her team existing at each Stage. Document Title M25 Junction 25 Improvements: Environmental Study Report Author Sarah Wallis Owner Piotr Grabowiecki Distribution Highways England Reviewers, Atkins Team Document Status Draft Revision History This document is updated at least every stage. Version Date Description Author 1.0 08/08/16 First Draft Sarah Wallis / Neil Watson 2.0 03/10/16 Second Draft Sarah Wallis / Neil Watson 2.1 25/10/16 Final Draft Sarah Wallis / Neil Watson Reviewer List Name Role Alison Braham Technical Review - Environmental Nicole Pulici Atkins Project Manager Henry Penner Highways England PTS Environmental Advisor Piotr Grabowiecki, Eze Onah, Highways England Integrated Project Team Andrew Salmon Approvals The Project SRO is accountable for the content of this document Name Signature Title Date of Issue Version Andrew Salmon Highways England Project SRO Working on behalf of i M25 Junction 25 Improvements: Environmental Study Report Table of contents Glossary .................................................................................................................... 1 1 Introduction and context ............................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Geographical context ................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Environmental overview ............................................................................................. 2 1.4 Purpose of the environmental study report ................................................................ 2 1.5 Scope and content ..................................................................................................... 3 1.6 Structure of the environmental study report ............................................................... 3 2 Background to the project ............................................................................ 5 2.1 Existing junction characteristics ................................................................................. 5 2.2 Current problems ....................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Regulatory framework ................................................................................................ 6 2.4 Strategic objectives.................................................................................................... 7 2.5 Scheme objectives..................................................................................................... 7 2.6 Environmental impact assessment ............................................................................ 7 2.7 Highways England strategic performance / key performance indicators ..................... 7 2.8 Construction, operation and long term management .................................................. 9 3 Description of proposed options ............................................................... 10 3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................. 10 3.2 Option1 .................................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Option 2 ................................................................................................................... 10 3.4 Option 3 ................................................................................................................... 11 4 Alternatives considered .............................................................................. 12 4.1 Identification of strategic solutions ........................................................................... 12 4.2 Identification of option variants ................................................................................ 12 5 Environmental assessment methodology ................................................. 14 5.1 General approach .................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Scoping ................................................................................................................... 14 5.3 Significance criteria.................................................................................................. 16 5.4 Mitigation enhancement ........................................................................................... 17 6 Landscape .................................................................................................... 18 6.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 18 6.2 Assessment methodology ........................................................................................ 18 6.3 Study area ............................................................................................................... 19 Working on behalf of ii M25 Junction 25 Improvements: Environmental Study Report 6.4 Baseline conditions .................................................................................................. 19 6.5 Regulatory / Policy framework ................................................................................. 24 6.6 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 28 6.7 Potential magnitude and significance of effects ....................................................... 29 6.8 Summary of landscape and visual effects ................................................................ 35 6.9 Recommendations for future assessment stages .................................................... 36 6.10 Limitations ............................................................................................................... 36 7 Cultural heritage .......................................................................................... 37 7.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 37 7.2 Assessment methodology ........................................................................................ 37 7.3 Study area ............................................................................................................... 38 7.4 Baseline conditions .................................................................................................. 38 7.5 Regulatory / Policy framework ................................................................................. 40 7.6 Design mitigation and enhancement measures ....................................................... 41 7.7 Potential effects ....................................................................................................... 42 7.8 Limitations to assessment ........................................................................................ 44 7.9 Summary and recommendations ............................................................................. 45 8 Nature conservation .................................................................................... 46 8.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 46 8.2 Assessment methodology ........................................................................................ 46 8.3 Study area ............................................................................................................... 49 8.4 Baseline conditions .................................................................................................. 50 8.5 Regulatory / Policy framework ................................................................................. 53 8.6 Design, mitigation and enhancement measures ...................................................... 58 8.7 Potential effects ....................................................................................................... 59 8.8 Limitations to assessment ........................................................................................ 60 8.9 Summary ................................................................................................................. 61 9 Air Quality .................................................................................................... 62 9.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 62 9.2 Assessment methodology ........................................................................................ 62 9.3 Study area ..............................................................................................................