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Skinner’s Lock Underbridge

Environmental Statement

Volume 1 Non-Technical Summary Final Report – November 2016

Report prepared for:

Network Rail and Tony Gee and Partners LLP

W1078B-CAR-REP-ECV-100336-Environmental Statement_Volume 1_NTS_v2-1.docx i

JBA Project Manager Steve Hughes JBA Consulting The Old School House St. Joseph’s Street Tadcaster LS24 9HA

Revision history

Revision Ref / Date Issued Amendments Issued to

v1-1 / 1 November 2016 Network Rail

v2-1 / 2 November 2016 Minor amendments and additions. Network Rail

Contract This report describes work commissioned by Richard Brown, on behalf of Tony Gee and Partners LLP, by an email dated 16 June 2016. Steve Hughes, Kim Jennings, Jessie Kennedy, Dorian Latham, Brendon McFadden, Natasha Todd-Burley, Michael McDonald, Jamie Oaten and David Revill of JBA Consulting carried out this work.

Prepared by: Jamie Oaten MEnvSci

Environmental Consultant

Reviewed by: David Revill BSc MSc MIES CEnv

Principal Environmental Consultant

Purpose This document has been prepared as a Final Report for Tony Gee and Partners LLP. JBA Consulting accepts no responsibility or liability for any use that is made of this document other than by the Client for the purposes for which it was originally commissioned and prepared.

JBA Consulting has no liability regarding the use of this report except to Tony Gee and Partners LLP.

Copyright © Jeremy Benn Associates Limited 2016

Carbon footprint A printed copy of the main text in this document will result in a carbon footprint of 264g if 100% post-consumer recycled paper is used and 336g if primary-source paper is used. These figures assume the report is printed in black and white on A4 paper and in duplex.

JBA is aiming to reduce its per capita carbon emissions.

W1078B-CAR-REP-ECV-100336-Environmental Statement_Volume 1_NTS_v2-1.docx ii

Contents

Non-Technical Summary ......................................................................................................... 1

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 What is an Environmental Statement? ...................................................................................... 1 The proposed scheme ............................................................................................................... 2 The scheme area ....................................................................................................................... 3 Requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment ........................................................... 4 Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment ...................................................................... 5 Environmental impacts .............................................................................................................. 6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................... 10 Further information .................................................................................................................... 11

W1078B-CAR-REP-ECV-100336-Environmental Statement_Volume 1_NTS_v2-1.docx 1

Non-Technical Summary

Introduction

Skinners Lock is a railway bridge spanning the River Kennet. It is located 500m north west of the centre of Kintbury, West Berkshire (see Figure 1). The National Grid Reference (NGR) for the bridge is SU 38043 67160. The bridge carries the Berks and Hants line (BHL) between Hungerford and Newbury, which is a section of the Reading to Taunton line. This is a major branch of the Great Western Main Line.

Inspections of the bridge have identified significant deterioration of the timber deck and section loss of the main and cross girders throughout the structure. The structure is considered to be life expired and requires renewal in 2016.

Network Rail is therefore proposing to remove the bridge and replace it with a new section of railway embankment. This will require the infilling of the river channel beneath the bridge and removal of the bridge superstructure. In addition, flow conveyancing pipes will be provided through the rail embankment to maintain river flow along the channel.

Figure 1: Location of Skinner’s Lock underbridge

Network Rail is seeking planning permission for the proposed scheme under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. An Environmental Statement (ES) has been prepared by Network Rail to accompany the planning application. The ES has been prepared in accordance with the Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (as amended). This document provides a summary of the ES.

What is an Environmental Statement?

An ES sets out the findings of a study of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed development – an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The ES should describe the proposed scheme, including the need for the development and provide an outline of any alternative project options considered. The ES should describe the existing environment that could be affected by the scheme, the potential


significant environmental impacts of the development and the measures proposed to reduce or avoid these impacts. The ES forms an important part of the information used by a Planning Authority to determine the acceptability of a development.

The proposed scheme

Skinners Lock is a single span railway underbridge comprising of a superstructure of half through wrought iron girders with timber decking. The rail line is heavily skewed by approximately 55° although the abutments themselves are generally well aligned with the direction of normal flow. The deck has low clearance across the channel at normal flows and it is highly likely that the deck would be surcharged during flood conditions (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Skinner’s Lock underbridge crossing the River Kennet (view from downstream looking west)

The most recent bridge assessment carried out for this structure was carried out in June 2014 and comprised a visual examination of the structure. The previous detailed examinations were completed in July 2012 (underwater examination) and February 2013 (structure). The reports identify structural defects in the wrought iron superstructure, where widespread loss of protective paint system has led to medium level section loss throughout. In a few isolated locations full section loss has been observed, particularly on the main and cross girders. The timber decking is observed to be in poor condition, with several timbers, particularly on the top side, fully decayed and the waterproofing exposed. Further site investigation in the form of geotechnical, topographic and visual has been undertaken in order to select an appropriate replacement solution.

The existing structure of Skinners Lock underbridge is considered life expired and will be replaced as part of Network Rail's current control period (CP5).

Network Rail therefore proposes to replace the existing bridge to facilitate continued use of the railway. It is proposed to remove the existing structure and provide engineered infill of the existing channel with flow conveyancing pipes in place of the existing structure. Three 1050mm diameter pipes will be installed to retain the flow of water through the embankment, allowing for the balancing of water levels on both sides of the embankment. The railway tracks will be reinstated to their original alignment and levels,


crossing the infilled section of channel and new embankments. The new embankment would then be surfaced with stone ballast on its crest and seeded topsoil on all slopes.

The layout of the proposed scheme is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Proposed scheme layout

The scheme area

The River Kennet flows in a generally eastward direction from its source near Silbury Hill in Wiltshire to its confluence with the River Thames to the east of Reading town centre. The lower reaches of the river are navigable to river craft and are known as the Kennet Navigation. This, together with the Avon Navigation, the Kennet & Avon Canal and the Thames, links Bristol and London.

The River Kennet is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) between Marlborough and Woolhampton, which incorporates the section of the river at Skinner’s Lock. The river was modified by the construction of the Kennet & Avon Canal between 1794 and 1810. In some places the canal joins with the river to form a single channel, and there are also many ditches and channels formerly associated with water meadow systems that also inter-link with the river. Sections of the canal and many of the ditches and channels are also encompassed by the SSSI designation. However, the 'canal feeder' channel below the Skinners Lock structure is not part of the designated SSSI.

Skinners Lock is located within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The AONB in this area is characterised by a rural landscape in the relatively broad and flat valley floor of the River Kennet, enclosed by gentle chalk valley sides to the north and south.

The river channel at Skinner’s Lock is deep and flat. The bed material consists of deep silts due to the low flow rates. The floodplain in this area is flat and wide. The land to the north and east comprises


pasture and small areas of watermeadow, whilst the land on the west bank comprises dense woodland and sections of reedbed. The village of Kintbury is located on the southern bank of the Kennet & Avon Canal. The nearest residential properties are located approximately 200m to the south of Skinner’s Lock.

The bridge is largely screened by surrounding woodland vegetation and is contained between the railway, River Kennet and Kennet & Avon Canal. As such, public access to the underbridge is very constrained, whilst views both into and out of the site are limited.

Requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment

EC Directive 85/337/EEC ‘on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment’ (since amended by 97/11/EC, 2003/35/EC and 2011/92/EU) requires that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken for certain types of development that have the potential to cause significant impacts on the environment. The purpose of the Directive is to ensure that decision making bodies have sufficient information on likely significant effects when deciding whether or not such a project should be allowed to proceed.

The original 1985 EIA Directive was implemented in England and Wales through the Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1988, which are now superseded by the Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 (as amended) (known as the ‘EIA Regulations’). The EIA Regulations identify the procedure to be followed by those undertaking EIAs and the environmental information that should be submitted in the form of an ES to enable local planning authorities to determine applications for these projects.

The EIA needs to consider all environmental issues that are likely to be significantly affected by the proposed scheme. This recognises that there may be some environmental elements where there will be no significant impacts or effects from the proposed scheme and hence where there is no need for further investigation to be undertaken as part of the EIA process.

The EIA Regulations set out a procedure for identifying those projects which should be subject to an EIA (see Figure 4). Screening is the process by which a proposed scheme is assessed to determine whether it falls within the remit of the Regulations and therefore requires an assessment. Projects can be classified as Schedule 1 development, whereby an EIA is mandatory, or Schedule 2 development for which an EIA is required if the scheme is likely to have a significant effect on the environment.

Scoping is an optional stage in the EIA process that is strongly recommended as a good practice approach to ensure that the EIA adequately considers all the likely significant environmental impacts of a development and provides all the information reasonably required to assess the significance of these impacts.

An ES is then prepared that describes the significant environmental impacts of the proposed scheme and any mitigation measures to be implemented to avoid, reduce or offset the significant effects.

A Screening Opinion request was submitted to West Berkshire Council by Network Rail on the 28 June 2016. The request letter provided summary information on the proposed scheme and potential for significant impacts. West Berkshire Council responded to the screening request in a letter dated 21 July 2016. The Screening Opinion confirmed that the proposed scheme is listed under Section 10(h) and Section 10(i) of Schedule 2 and is located within a ‘sensitive area’ as identified by the EIA Regulations as it is located within the North Wessex Downs AONB and River Kennet SSSI.

In light of the nature of the proposed scheme and the presence of these sensitive areas, the Council confirmed that an EIA would be required.


Figure 4: The EIA process

Scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment

Following confirmation from West Berkshire Council that an EIA would be required for the proposed scheme, Network Rail submitted a Scoping Opinion request to the Council on the 28 July 2016. In its response on 1 September 2016, the Council provided its EIA Scoping Opinion in which it set out the scope of information that the ES should contain. This Scoping Opinion incorporated responses from a number of consultees.

Following receipt of the Council’s Scoping Opinion, environmental topics were scoped in or out of the EIA as shown in Table 1.

EIA Screening

Determines whether an EIA required

EIA Scoping

Determines the issues that the EIA needs to consider

Assessment of impacts

Conduct baseline surveys and review of the data

Identify mitigation requirements

Can impacts be avoided or minimised?

Conclusion

Will the proposed scheme cause significant impacts on the environment?

Decsion-making

Planning authority assesses the planning applicatuion in-light of the

findings of the EIA

Environmental Statement


Table 1: Scope of the EIA

EIA topic Scoped in Scope of the assessment

Biodiversity Yes The EIA considers the potential impacts on protected and notable habitats and species, including aquatic habitats within the River Kennet and adjacent woodland and watermeadow habitats, and also assesses potential impacts on the River Kennet SSSI.

Hydrology, hydrogeology, geomorphology and flood risk

Yes The EIA assesses the potential effects on river hydrology and geomorphology, and associated impacts on flood risk, as well as impacts on local hydrogeology. This work includes consideration of how any potential impacts will be influenced by climate change.

Water quality Yes The EIA considers potential effects on water quality in the River Kennet and Kennet & Avon Canal during construction of the proposed scheme.

Historic environment

Yes The EIA considers potential impacts on the heritage features of the surrounding area including Benham Park Historic Park and Garden.

Landscape and visual impact

Yes The EIA assesses the potential impacts on landscape character and any physical changes to the local landscape.

Land contamination

Yes A Preliminary Risk Assessment has been prepared to assess the potential for contaminated land and relative environmental impacts in relation to the proposed scheme.

Air quality No Impacts on air quality have been scoped out of the EIA due to the relatively small-scale of the proposed scheme and low-potential for significant impacts. This conclusion is reached on the basis that potential effects on air quality are restricted to the construction phase and can be effectively managed through robust environmental management procedures to be documented in a CEMP to be approved by West Berkshire Council.

Noise and vibration

No An assessment of the likely noise impact was undertaken using noise thresholds defined in BS5228: Code of Practice for the Control of Noise on Construction and Open Sites. This indicated that the decibel output level of the plant to be used will be approximately 47.9 dB at the nearest receptor (day shift) and 45.8dB (night shift). The calculated noise level created by the works fall below the allowable threshold required under BS 5228 and Health and safety Regulations action levels.

Potential effects on noise will be restricted to the construction phase and can be effectively managed through robust environmental management procedures to be documented in a CEMP to be approved by West Berkshire Council.

Transport No This topic has been scoped out of the EIA because of the relatively small-scale of the proposed scheme and low-potential for significant impacts. Transport related effects will be limited to the construction phase associated with construction plant and staff movements to and from the site. At this stage it is not anticipated that a significant number of vehicle movements will be generated by the proposed scheme. Should a large number of vehicle movements be likely a separate Transport Statement or Transport Assessment will be prepared and submitted to West Berkshire Council.

Climate No This topic has been scoped out of the EIA due to the relatively small-scale of the proposed scheme and low-potential for significant impacts. Consideration of the influence of climate change on potential impacts will be undertaken as part of the other individual assessments scoped into the EIA.

Environmental impacts

The potential environmental impacts of the proposed scheme, together with the measures required to avoid or minimise these impacts are described in the following sections.

Water environment and land contamination

The proposed scheme involves construction activities that may potentially affect the soil, geology and water environments. These activities have been identified and an assessment of their likely significant effects has been made.


The main potential impacts are soil compaction and erosion, the release of sediment into the River Kennet, chemical contamination of soil and water, and the obstruction and alteration of river flow levels.

Proposed mitigation measures include the use of a pollution prevention strategy and incorporation of sediment control systems and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) during the construction of the scheme. All proposed mitigation measures will be detailed in a CEMP to be agreed with West Berkshire Council.

With the proposed mitigation measures in place it is considered that the proposed scheme will have at most a moderate adverse effect on the soil, geology and water environments. The main residual effects following incorporation of these mitigation measures relates to the release of sediment and contamination into the River Kennet SSSI, and the alteration of river levels due to temporary blockages of the flow conveyance pipes.

In relation to flood risk, the proposed scheme will cause a marginal increase in flood risk to the surrounding floodplains in Barton Court and at Station Road. However, no properties are placed at additional risk due to the proposed scheme. Conversely, the proposed scheme provides a slight benefit by reducing flood risk to the village of Kintbury via a reduction in flood flows entering the Kennet & Avon Canal.

A Preliminary Risk Assessment has been undertaken to assess the potential for land contamination in the scheme area and any associated risks to the environment as a result of the proposed scheme. A review of historical mapping and regulatory data showed that there were few activities that may lead to contamination in and around the site, which was limited to the historical use of the railway and canal (potential leakage of hydrocarbons from vehicles). The assessment concluded that there is an overall low risk of widespread contamination at or surrounding the site.

However, a number of general mitigation measures will be implemented during construction to mitigate impacts arising from potential contamination as a result of construction activities. In particular, during excavation works a watching brief will be undertaken to monitor any unidentified sources of contamination. If any potentially contaminated materials are encountered during the works, they will be transferred to a suitable quarantine area pending the results of chemical testing, with sheeting/covering used as appropriate. On receipt of the analytical results, the appropriate waste classification will be determined and disposal of the material off-site will be arranged as necessary.

Ecology and nature conservation

An ecological impact assessment has been undertaken to identify the potential impacts of the proposed scheme on sensitive species and habitats in the surrounding area.

The assessment identified that the proposed scheme could cause adverse impacts on a range of notable and protected habitats and species. This includes potential impacts on species including Great Crested Newt, Otter, Badger, Water Vole and bat and reptile species due to the temporary loss and disturbance of surrounding terrestrial and aquatic vegetation during the construction phase. A programme of mitigation measures has been developed, which will be implemented before and during the construction works at the site.

A summary of these impacts and associated mitigation measures is provided in Table 2.

Table 2: Summary of impacts on important ecological features

Feature Impact Mitigation measures Residual impacts

River Kennet SSSI

Direct damage and disturbance to habitat features during enabling and construction works.

Best construction practices will be followed including pollution prevention guidelines (PPGs).

Haul roads and compounds reduced in size and located away from existing riparian margins and significantly reduced in size.

Limited use of machinery on site and work undertaken in appropriate conditions.

Habitat reinstatement and enhancement of compound areas.

Production of a CEMP.

No significant negative effect on conservation status of the habitat.



Freshwater habitats

Direct loss of in-channel habitat and associated bankside habitat during construction and permanent works Pollution and increased sedimentation of River from in-channel works

Best construction practices will be followed including pollution prevention guidelines (PPGs) within watercourse.

De-watering area limited to what is required to facilitate works.

Limited use of machinery on site and work undertaken in appropriate conditions.

Habitat reinstatement of de-watered areas.

Production of a CEMP.


Pond Habitat and Reedbed/ Swamp Habitat

Direct loss of habitat during enabling and construction works


Machinery and personnel will avoid tracking / walking through areas of reedbed / swamp outside of the works footprint, with access routes restricted wherever possible.


Great Crested Newt

Direct loss of breeding habitat and loss of overwintering habitats during enabling works and damage to breeding habitats during construction

All vegetation has been sensitively cleared within 250m of the pond under Low Impact licence from Natural England during September 2016 whilst temperatures were optimal to move this species out of the working areas.

Vegetation clearance outside of 250m will be will be carried out under ecological supervision.

Machinery and personnel will avoid tracking / walking through areas outside of the works footprint, with access routes restricted.

Breeding habitat will not be damaged as part of the works.

Pitfall traps will allow any newts to be caught during spring 2017 migration and moved to suitable habitat.

Creation of additional refugia from cleared vegetation.

No significant negative effect on the extent, distribution or conservation status of the species.

Reptiles Potential damage/ disturbance to overwintering habitats during enabling works and construction

All vegetation has been sensitively cleared during September 2016 whilst temperatures were optimal to move this species out of the working areas.

Machinery and personnel will avoid tracking/walking through areas outside of the works footprint, with access routes restricted wherever possible.

Creation of refugia from cleared vegetation.

No significant negative effect on the extent, distribution or conservation status of the habitat

Otter Potential damage/ disturbance to foraging and commuting habitats during construction works

All excavation will be fitted with an escape ramp to prevent animals becoming trapped.

Pre-works survey for holts/resting places in locality of Skinner's Lock to ascertain a change in previously recorded low activity levels.

No significant negative effect on the population or its conservation status.

Water Vole Potential disturbance during enabling works and construction works


Clear span bridges to be used to cross optimal SSSI drains to ensure no damage to bankside and in-channel habitats.

Works restricted to construction footprint only.

Pre-works survey undertaken.


Badger Temporary disturbance and severance of commuting routes during all construction phases. Injury or death of Badger.

Site best practice will be applied. All excavation will be fitted with an escape ramp to prevent animals becoming trapped.

Night-time working avoided and only undertaken when absolutely necessary (during 2017 Bank Holiday rail possession).




Bats Potential disturbance and severance of commuting routes during all construction phases. Damage to commuting, foraging and roosting habitats

Assessment of roosting potential undertaken and further aerial surveys conducted.

Vegetation clearance to be undertaken during autumn 2016 to prevent unnecessary disturbance to species.

Soft feeling undertaken of Alder tree with low roosting potential.

Night-time working avoided and only undertaken when absolutely necessary (during 2017 Bank Holiday rail possession).


Birds Damage to overwintering habitat and disturbance during construction phase to breeding birds.

Site best practice applied.

Replacement tree planting undertaken.

Erection of bird nest boxes.

No significant effect on the wider bird populations or conservation status of non-breeding bird species. No significant effect on breeding bird species.

The scheme will not have a negative impact upon the River Kennet SSSI and immediate habitats, provided the programme of mitigation measures is fully implemented.

The works will have a temporary negative impact due to the level of de-vegetation being undertaken. However, this will be mitigated through a programme of habitat reinstatement and enhancement. The canal feeder channel will also be temporarily negatively impacted due to the de-watering of the watercourse to facilitate the permanent works.

Other ecological constraints identified include the potential to disturb hibernating Great Crested Newt and reptile species; disturbance and temporary loss of habitat for overwintering birds; and temporary disturbance to foraging and commuting habitat for bat species. Signal Crayfish, an invasive non-native species, is also present on this site requiring the application of a strict biosecurity policy.

Overall, it is considered that the proposed scheme will not have a significant impact on the overall nature conservation value of Skinner's Lock and the surrounding area.

Historic environment

An assessment has been undertaken to investigate the potential archaeological and cultural heritage impacts associated with the proposed scheme. The assessment comprises an archaeological Desk Based Assessment (DBA) and Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) undertaken following recognised good practice guidance.

The site at Skinner’s Lock is located on the terrace gravels and overlying floodplain alluvium of the Kennet Valley, an area regarded as being of high archaeological potential. The discovery of three coins in the vicinity of the site attests to the presence of Iron Age activity. In addition, a number of Roman finds are recorded at the same location; these include a silver coin of Marcus Aurelius, a silver siliqua of Constantius II, a silver siliqua of Honorius, a coin of Tetricius.

Also, a number of post-medieval finds have been recorded in the vicinity of the bridge amongst a larger group of records of artefacts found in the vicinity of Kintbury. These include a collection of 16th -century German jettons, two rose farthings of Charles I and a farthing token of Henley on Thames, dating to the 17th century, and a Civil War rapier and pistols.

Analysis of historic maps shows that the site of the bridge and surrounding riverine landscape has remained largely intact, consisting of meadow, marshland and withy beds. The exception to this was the construction of the Kennet & Avon Canal in the 18th century and the railway in the 19th century. The railway bridge itself is not listed but is recorded on the West Berkshire Historic Environment Record. Its significance as a heritage asset is therefore assessed as low.

The proposed scheme will involve little or no below ground disturbance and as such will not affect known or potential archaeology or heritage features except for the railway bridge itself. To mitigate the impact


due to the removal of the bridge, a programme of archaeological recording (written and photographic record) of the underbridge will be undertaken prior to its demolition and removal.

Landscape

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has been undertaken to assess the effects of the proposed scheme on the landscape character and visual resource of the area.

The site itself is generally enclosed by surrounding vegetation and contained between woodland, the railway, the River Kennet, small channels and ditches and the Kennet & Avon Canal. There is no public access to the site itself, but the canal towpath runs only 40m to the south. Overall the site displays a character that is relatively well contained and enclosed. Views into and out of the site are largely limited, other than from the south along the canal towpath, due to proximity to the site and along connections between the river channel to the Kennet & Avon Canal. These views are likely to be more open during the winter months, when trees are not in leaf.

Landscape effects will arise through the permanent change to the railway bridge through the removal of the wrought iron bridge and introduction of a new concrete culvert through the railway embankment. The size and scale of the proposed scheme is relatively small with localised changes extending approximately 20m either side of the railway line along the river channel. During construction effects on the local landscape would be moderate-substantial within the scheme area, encompassing an area up to 200m from bridge (the scheme area being bigger than the operational site area due to access routes and compounds). However, these effects will be temporary and the overall impact on the local landscape will be negligible.

Skinner’s Lock is located within the North Wessex Downs AONB, which covers 668sq miles (1730sq km) between Reading, Swindon, Devises and Andover. However, effects on the AONB would be negligible given the extent of the AONB and the size and scale of the proposed scheme.

Visual effects are largely constrained by screening elements such as woodland and vegetation surrounding the site, and surrounding topography. No effects on residential receptors are expected for the operational phase of the scheme due to screening from vegetation and landform. A moderate effect during construction for two properties, The Old Stables and The Old Vicarage, may be expected due to available views of construction works, access tracks and site compounds. However, as mitigation planting matures the magnitude of change will reduce to negligible.

Public Rights of Way (PRoW) in the area are generally well-used and offer amenity value to both residents and visitors, in particular the Kennet & Avon Canal offering a long distance route along the canal and adjacent to the site. There are three PRoW: the towpath along the canal, one between Hungerford Road and the canal towpath and one between St Mary's church and Avington Manor. For the routes as a whole no effects are expected during construction and operation. However, there may be localised effects where the PRoWs are in close proximity to the site and construction area.

Adverse and residual effects can be mitigated through a range of measures both within and along the boundary of the site. These will include reinstatement of woodland planting where trees have been removed for access tracks and site compounds, re-naturalisation of the river channel, restoration/reinstatement of the water meadow and reinstatement of grassland areas following removal of the gravel access tracks and compound areas.

Overall, the proposed scheme is likely to result in significant effects during construction on receptors using the Kennet & Avon Canal and towpath next to the site and the PRoW as it passes over Orchard Meadow Bridge. However, the proposed scheme will not result in a significant effect on landscape character and visual receptors once the scheme is complete and mitigation measures are in place.

Conclusions

Skinner’s Lock underbridge is a railway bridge crossing a canal feeder branch of the River Kennet at Kintbury near Newbury. Detailed inspections of the underbridge have identified structural defects and the bridge is considered life expired. Network Rail therefore proposes to replace the underbridge to facilitate continued use of the Berks and Hants Line between Hungerford and Newbury.

An ES has been prepared as a result of studies undertaken by Network Rail and its project team. The ES aims to be comprehensive, objective and easy to understand. It is based on the available information


which is considered to be as accurate as practicable at the time of submission of the prior approval application for the proposed scheme.

A range of potential environmental impacts have been identified. Mitigation requirements to avoid or minimise the significance of these impacts have also been determined. With the incorporation of these mitigation measures, no significant residual environmental impacts are predicted. Therefore, the EIA has demonstrated that the proposed scheme will not have a significant impact on the environment.

Further information

Further information on the proposed environmental impacts of the proposed scheme is contained within the ES. For copies of the ES, please contact:

Email: [email protected]

Post: Colin Field Town Planning Manager Network Rail 1st Floor Temple Point Redcliffe Way Bristol BS1 6NL

Details will be given of how we can provide copies of the documents either electronically or paper copies via post (there will be a charge of £100 for paper copies).

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