A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 CONTENTS (Volume 2A) 5 POLICIES AND PLANS 6 LAND USE AND AGRICULTURE 7 CULTURAL HERITAGE 8 LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL ASSESSMENT 9 ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION Volume 2B 10 GEOLOGY AND SOILS 11 ROAD DRAINAGE AND THE WATER ENVIRONMENT 12 NOISE AND VIBRATION 13 AIR QUALITY 14 PEDESTRIANS, CYCLISTS, EQUESTRIANS AND COMMUNITY EFFECTS 15 VEHICLE TRAVELLERS 16 DISRUPTION DUE TO CONSTRUCTION March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 CONTENTS 10 GEOLOGY AND SOILS ....................................................................................10-1 10.1 Introduction .............................................................................................10-1 10.2 Potential Impacts and Effects..................................................................10-1 10.3 Methodology ...........................................................................................10-1 10.4 Baseline Conditions ................................................................................10-4 10.5 Mitigation and Detailed Development of the Scheme Design ...............10-21 10.6 Environmental Effects ...........................................................................10-26 10.7 Summary ..............................................................................................10-30 List of Tables Table 10.1 Criteria for Assessing the Importance of Potentially Affected Geological/ Geomorphological Features Table 10.2 Criteria for Assessing the Magnitude of Impacts upon Geological/ Geomorphological Features Table 10.3 Criteria for Assessing the Significance of Potential Effects upon Geological / Geomorphological Features Table 10.4 Agricultural Land Classification Table 10.5 Site History Table 10.6 Landfill Data Table 10.7 Trade directory and fuel station entries Table 10.8 Fuel Tanks at Marston Moretaine Services Table 10.9 Fuel tanks at Elstow Junction Services Table 10.10 Potential Lime and Cement Stabilisation Mitigation Methods (if required) Table 10.11 Potential Impacts upon Agricultural Soils (ha) Table 10.12 Areas of Land with Mineral Rights Table 10.13 Significance of Residual Effects Appendices Appendix 10.1 Agro-Climatic Factors Appendix 10.2 Descriptions of the Grades and Subgrades Appendix 10.3 Pit Descriptions Appendix 10.4 Laboratory Data Appendix 10.5 Petroleum Licensing Details 10-i March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 List of Figures (See Volume 3) Figure 10.1.1 - 10.1.2 Plan of Scheme Showing Relevant Data from Envirocheck Report Figure 10.2 Plan Showing Gas and groundwater monitoring points Located Close to the Scheme but not on Brogborough Landfill Site Figure 10.3 Plan Showing Gas and groundwater monitoring points Located Close to the Scheme but not on Stewartby Landfill Site Figure 10.4.1 - 10.4.4 Existing Agricultural Land Classification Figure 10.5.1 - 10.5.4 Agricultural Land Classification and Survey Observations 10-ii March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 10 GEOLOGY AND SOILS 10.1 Introduction 10.1.1 This chapter reports on the predicted effects of the proposed Scheme upon soils and geology. The soils and underlying geology in the vicinity of the Scheme are important factors in determining the physical appearance of an area, and can contain valuable resources, such as fertile land and mineral resources. Potential effects associated with the presence of contaminated land along the route are also addressed. The assessment has been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), Volume 11, Section 3, Part 11. 10.2 Potential Impacts and Effects Construction Phase 10.2.1 Potential impacts on soils which may arise as a result of the construction of a scheme such as this include the following: • Loss or destruction of soils in use for agriculture, woodland and forestry or of nature conservation value • Physical damage to soils, including soil compaction as a result of heavy construction vehicle movements • Exacerbation of soil erosion • Contamination of soils adjacent to roads by construction materials, fuels, oil, spray or airborne contaminants • Exposure of currently contaminated soils • Exposure of landfill gases to groundworkers within excavations, poorly ventilated areas or structures within close proximity to Brogborough or Stewartby Landfill sites. Operational Phase 10.2.2 During operation of a new road scheme, adjacent soils may be affected by spray or airborne contaminants generated during routine maintenance and operation of the road, or contaminants released during road accidents/emergency situations. There is also the possibility of increased soil erosion due to poor drainage design, and of cut and embankment slopes being susceptible to erosion or failure. 10.3 Methodology Evaluation of Receptors 10.3.1 The importance of potentially affected geological/geomorphological features and the sensitivity of receptors that may be affected by land contamination impacts have been evaluated on the basis of a 5-point scale, as illustrated in Table 10.1, below. These criteria have been developed by the Project Team and applied previously to major highway schemes. 10-1 March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 Table 10.1 Criteria for Assessing the Importance of Potentially Affected Geological/Geomorphological Features Value/ Geology and Soils Other Receptors Susceptible to Sensitivity Land Contamination Impacts • Internationally designated • Residential areas, schools, sites play areas, within 50m of construction works • Very high quality agricultural soils (Grade 1) • Water features deemed to be of very high value (refer to Very high • Soils of very high nature Chapter 11: Road Drainage conservation or landscape and the Water Environment) importance (refer to Chapter 9: Ecology and Nature • Ecological features deemed Conservation and Chapter 8: to be of very high value (refer Landscape and Visual to Chapter 9: Ecology and Assessment) Nature Conservation) • Nationally designated sites • Residential areas, schools, playing fields, within 200m • Regionally important sites with limited potential for • Allotments, arable farmland, substitution livestock, market gardens • High quality agricultural soils • Water features deemed to be (Grade 2) of high value (refer to Chapter High 11: Road Drainage and the • Soils of high nature Water Environment ) conservation or landscape importance (refer to Chapter • Ecological features deemed 9: Ecology and Nature to be of high value (refer to Conservation and Chapter 8: Chapter 9: Ecology and Landscape and Visual Nature Conservation) Assessment) • Regionally important sites • Commercial area or open with potential for substitution space (excluding school playing fields and other play • Locally designated sites areas) • Good quality agricultural soils • Forestry areas, ornamental (Grade 3a) plant nurseries • Soils of medium nature • Buildings including services conservation or landscape and foundations Medium importance (refer to Chapter 9: Ecology and Nature • Water features deemed to be Conservation and Chapter 8: of medium value (refer to Landscape and Visual Chapter 11: Road Drainage Assessment) and the Water Environment ) • Ecological features deemed to be of medium value (refer to Chapter 9: Ecology and Nature Conservation) 10-2 March 2007 A421 Improvements M1 Junction 13 to Bedford Environmental Statement, Volume 2 Value/ Geology and Soils Other Receptors Susceptible to Sensitivity Land Contamination Impacts • Undesignated sites of some • Industrial areas, car parks, local earth heritage interest highways, and railways • Moderate or poor quality • Water features deemed to be agricultural soils (Grade 3b or of low value (refer to Chapter Grade 4) 11: Road Drainage and the Water Environment ) Low • Soils of low nature conservation or landscape • Ecological features deemed importance (refer to Chapter to be of low value (refer to 9: Ecology and Nature Chapter 9: Ecology and Conservation and Chapter 8: Nature Conservation) Landscape and Visual Assessment) • Other sites with little or no • Areas where there are no built local earth heritage interest structures, no crops, timber, livestock, etc. • Very poor quality agricultural soils (Grade 5) • Ecological features deemed to be of negligible value (refer Negligible • Soils of negligible nature to Chapter 9: Ecology and conservation or landscape Nature Conservation) importance (refer to Chapter 9: Ecology and Nature Conservation and Chapter 8: Landscape and Visual Assessment) Identification and Assessment of Potential Impacts 10.3.2 The magnitude of potential Scheme impacts has been assessed using the 5-point scale as shown in Table 10.2, below. Table 10.2 Criteria for Assessing the Magnitude of Impacts upon Geological/ Geomorphological Features Criteria: Magnitude Criteria: Geology and Soils (Earth Other Receptors Heritage) Major Loss of feature or attribute Significant earthworks required in an area of moderately to highly suspected or known contamination Moderate Impact on integrity of or partial Minor disturbance (e.g. excavation of loss of feature or attribute less than 500m3) of potentially contaminated ground, or desk study or