Environment

The Environment is very important to the Project Team and due care and diligence are being provided to all aspects of the Environment. Be it

  • Noise, Vibration and Dust
  • Waste Management
  • Ecology
  • Cultural Heritage

The project is bounded by areas of ecological significance, there

  • Is a Special Area of Protection (SPA)
  • Is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
  • are intertidal zones
  • are rare and protected species and mammals
  • are invasive species
  • sensitive receptors, i.e. residents and businesses that could be impacted by the project.
 

Carbon Emissions

Life cycle carbon emissions were assessed for the scheme as part of the preliminary design process which determined the embodied and operational carbon impact of the proposed Dunkettle Interchange improvements. Lifecycle emissions were calculated over a thirty year period and are compared against the existing highway arrangement. The scheme delivers a net reduction in carbon emissions over the life of the scheme (construction, operation and maintenance) through the reduction in traffic emissions resulting from the improved traffic flow through the interchange

Noise and Vibration

Like all aspects of the environment, Noise and Vibration is an aspect that the project team are fully aware of the nuisance that Noise and Vibration can cause. As with the majority roads projects there are a specific requirements in this regard.

There are a number of identified locations where Noise and Vibration monitors will be positioned throughout the project scheme to give up to date records for this.

All aspects for Noise and Vibration will be in line with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Waste Management

Waste Management on the project will be in accordance with the regulations. The objective of the project will be to segregate and recycle the majority of waste being generated on site. Where material is required to be disposed to a facility from site, this will be carried out with a licenced carrier and will be disposed to an appropriately licenced waste facility.

As a minimum, the following are the targets for the recovery of waste on the project:

  • Recovery of construction material target: 92%
  • Recovery of demolition and strip out material target: 92%

The benefits realised as a result of this plan will be:

  • A reduction in waste being sent to landfill with benefits to the environment
  • A reduction in material purchase, disposal, and landfill costs
  • A reduction in vehicle movements and in the local area on site
  • Improved sustainability for our site
  • The introduction of ‘best environmental practice’ across the project reduces the potential impact on local communities.

Dust

Dust can be a nuisance to all people within the vicinity of the project. The contractor will be putting place plans and methods of works to ensure that dust migration from the project is minimised. There will also be Dust monitoring in place throughout the project and should there be a breach in the limits that Contractor will assess and adjust the working method as required.

Ecology

There are a number of protected species within or very close to the works, some of these are

  • Otters
  • Little Egrett
  • Pigmy Shrew

  

Amongst others.

The contractor has undertaken a number of surveys to determine the location of each species on the project and will be putting place plans to ensure that these are not affected by the works.

The contractor is in liaison with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Inland Fisheries to obtain the necessary licences to ensure that these species are taken care of during the works in line with the regulations.

Flora and Fauna

There are a number of plants that need to be protected while there are others that are invasive and need to be treated so that they do not spread throughout the project or beyond.

The contractor will be putting in place management plans to ensure that these plants are catered for in the manner that is appropriate, be it invasive species or a protected plant.

Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is an important element of the environment that merits protection. While there are no designated archaeological sites known within the project area, investigations are underway to assess the potential for buried sites and to record features of built heritage significance.

The Contractor will be complying with relevant statutory requirements to ensure due regard is given to the protection of cultural heritage in the course of the project works.