Land and wildlife protection strategy

Transport Minister Lord Whitty last week launched a new environment strategy to give greater protection to land, trees, wildlife and rivers alongside motorways in England.

More resources from the annual £1.4billion budget of the Highways Agency will be used to implement the new environmental techniques and ideas. Lord Whitty said: "We have given the Highways Agency - as network operator of England's motorways and trunk roads - the task of devising strategies in key areas such as safety, integration and alternative forms of transport. The first of this family of plans is the Strategic Plan for the Environment. This commits the Agency to make even greater efforts to protect the environment along the road network. I look forward seeing the results in action and monitoring its performance at regular intervals"

The environmental strategy entitled `Towards a Balance with Nature' is the first of series of strategic plans which Ministers have given the Highways Agency to direct activity in support of the government's integrated transport strategy and sustainable development. The other plans cover safety, maintenance, operation of the motorway network, improvement of the network, integration with other transport modes, support for the economy, and accessibility for cycling, horse riding and pedestrians.

Highways Agency Chief Executive Peter Nutt said: "Caring for the environment is an integral part of all the work we do. In addition we have an £8m programme this year aimed at reducing the adverse impact of motorways and trunk roads on the environment which will fund much of the work. The strategy covers a wide range of issues including air pollution; waste management; noise reduction; water pollution; biodiversity and protecting our geological and historical heritage. In developing this strategy we have consulted with our national Environmental Committee which includes English Nature, National Trust, RSPB and Friends of the Earth in order to focus on green issues affecting our road network. We will work in partnership with these and other organisations to make the strategy work effectively"

The new environment strategy was welcomed by independent organisations representing 'green' issues. The Agency has set up a national environmental committee supported by regional bodies to focus on green issues affecting motorways and trunk roads.

Under the new environmental strategy the Agency will:
- Work with road contractors to ensure policy is delivered;
- develop new contracts which balance the cost to taxpayers with environmental benefits;
- use materials which help sustain the environment;
- develop a biodiversity action plan to manage land next to motorways to provide better protection for wildlife, trees and watercourses;
- introduce engineering measures to protect wildlife from road traffic where motorways cross habitats;
- use noise-reducing surfaces when roads need to be resurfaced;
- identify sites for noise mitigation on existing roads;
- research tyre and road noise with the tyre industry;
- on waste management, conserve existing resources, co-operate with the construction industry on recycling materials and encourage the use of local materials;
- develop a research programme for water management in relation to roads and improve procedures for dealing with road spillages;
- increase use of environmentally-friendly lighting on motorways;
- work with specialist organisations to protect heritage sites from damage by roads and traffic.