Trunk Road Biodiversity Action Plan: Review for Discussion

management of the network

Typical activities associated with trunk road management.

In discharging its responsibilities to maintain a safe, efficient road network, the Scottish Executive Transport and Planning Group controls a wide range of activities. It is important that each is assessed in terms of its impact on the environment if we are to ensure that biodiversity objectives are acheived.

The TRBAP can make a positive contribution to biodiversity in Scotland and to each LBAP area, without compromising the primary transport responsibilities of the Scottish Executive. The integrated approach that is being adopted though this Plan will support sustainable improvements in landscapes and habitats. It is hoped that the examples of good practice given here will encourage other land custodians to take positive action and demonstrate the benefits of partnership initiatives.

issues and opportunities

Understanding the key issues and opportunities associated with the trunk road estate is critical when developing the objectives of the TRBAP. Many of these issues have already been recognised by the trunk road Division, and positive action has been taken in a number of instances.

Fragmentation of habitats

Some disruption of habitats is unavoidable when carrying out any development, including the construction of roads. However, design and positive management can also enable the road network to link fragmented habitats, increasing their value for a range of species.

Use of chemicals

Control of over-vigorous weeds along roadsides is essential for safety reasons to prevent them becoming a hazard or public nuisance. This normally involves the use of herbicides. Alternative options, such as the selection of slower growing, lower maintenance plants along new verges, can reduce reliance on chemicals,and promote a more valuable and interesting variety of plants and animals.

Accidental pollution

Pollution from roads can potentially affect the flora and fauna of verges and adjacent habitats. For example, accidental spillages during construction and maintenance could affect nearby watercourses. Such problems can be avoided or minimised by best working practices.

Changes to hydrology/drainage

Road construction and drainage can alter the natural drainage pattern of the locality. This in turn can affect habitats which in certain cases may be some distance from the road. This type of problem can be minimised by identifying sensitive habitats and taking steps to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts. Road drainage features, such as ditches, can become valuable wildlife habitats if they are managed sensitively.

Disturbance

Busy trunk roads can cause disturbance to certain sensitive species. For example, some bird species may be affected by noise and others by movement. However, different species display a range of tolerances to such disturbance, and valuable habitats can be maintained even next to very busy roads. The design and management of roadside planting can help reduce such effects. Typically, belts of scrub can be used to provide shelter for birds using adjacent wetland habitats.

Road crossing

Certain species, such as badgers, otters, deer, hedgehogs and amphibians, are at risk from being run over when attempting to cross roads. Larger animals can also present a safety hazard to traffic. Measures can be taken either to deter animals from crossing at dangerous locations or to help them cross at more suitable points. For example, underpasses or bridges can be provided at locations where badgers regularly cross a busy road.

setting objectives

The following general objectives apply to the whole Scottish trunk road network. More specific targets are set out in individual Area Action Plans (Part C of this document).

• Adopt practices which help to maintain and enhance the biological resource.
• Use native tree species wherever they can effectively fulfil the requirements of the landscape design and management strategy. Where native species are to be used, the selection and procurement of plants shall be in accordance with Forestry Commission Guidance and Appendix 1 of Cost Effective Landscape: Learning from Nature (CEL:LfN).
• Identify all designated sites (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest) adjacent to trunk roads, and ensure that the operation and maintenance of the road does not adversely affect them.
• Identify areas adjacent to or along trunk roads which are considered to be of local value. This information may be obtained from several sources, including LBAPs and local nature conservation organisations.
• Encourage the creation of diverse ground conditions where this does not contradict the requirements of the wider route landscape design and management strategy.
• Make repairs to landscapes and habitats which may be unavoidably affected by road improvement or maintenance activities. Seek opportunities to make further improvements to sites where appropriate.
• Identify and describe appropriate protection or enhancement measures that should be implemented as part of maintenance or engineering works (see Part B, the Toolkit).
• Set biodiversity related objectives for managers and staff which reflect local and national targets for important habitats and species.
• Ensure staff are aware of biodiversity objectives and integrate positive biodiversity action into their normal working practices.
• Reduce reliance on fertilisers and herbicides.
• Draw up targets for action across the network which are compatible with local, regional and UK biodiversity objectives.
• Make contact with LBAP Steering Groups or local biodiversity representatives.
• Report on progress and publicise actions taken. This also serves to highlight the positive work of managers and staff throughout the network, without whom this Action Plan could not be implemented.

achieving objectives

The Transport and Planning Group intends to identify areas alongside trunk roads which have particular biodiversity interest, and areas where opportunities for enhancement exist. This task will be carried out in partnership with existing Local Biodiversity Steering Groups, nature conservation networks and other organisations. Joint projects, for instance with adjoining landowners and local groups, can have a beneficial effect on a wider area than the immediate road environment.

Stimulating public awareness and commitment to biodiversity objectives is a priority for any BAP. Opportunities exist to use high profile or frequently visited trunk road locations to put across the biodiversity message, for example in urban areas, at lay-bys and by service stations.

Roads are an integral part of leisure and amenity access for people. A large proportion of tourism in Scotland is based on the richness of the country's natural habitats, wildlife and scenery. The Tourism and Environment Task Force, a body established by the Secretary of State, is supporting local partnerships across Scotland to look at issues of sustainable tourism development and to raise project funding. There are therefore potential partnership links with organisations such as the Tourist Board which promote the locality.

implementation and review

Biodiversity should not be an 'add-on' to the work of the trunk road Division, but should be part of its normal business. In time, biodiversity objectives will become fully integrated into existing policies, practices and planning. The long term strategy is to make the protection and promotion of biodiversity as much a part of normal, everyday working good practice as are health and safety.

This BAP will be implemented through four mechanisms. These are, in order of importance and value to biodiversity:

Day to day activities of Trunk Road Authorities

This mechanism has the greatest scope for the protection of biodiversity as it involves consideration of objectives by all personnel in all their activities.

Landscape Action Plans

TRBAP actions will be delivered through the Landscape Action Plan mechanism described in Part B.

Environmental works for road improvement and maintenance schemes

The environmental mitigation measures designed and implemented for road projects can contribute significantly to biodiversity.

Implementation Mechanisms for the TRBAP

The objectives and targets of the TRBAP will be built into the contracts of these projects.

Specific biodiversity action projects

It is proposed that a small budget be set aside to carry out minor trunk road related biodiversity projects in partnership with other organisations or landowners.

Review

This BAP is part of an iterative process, not an end in itself. It has therefore been structured to allow for review and amendment in the future.

The TRBAP will be reviewed and updated periodically, taking into account developments at a local and national level, for example the further publication of LBAPs, and experience gained through the implementation of the Plan over the previous years.