Comment
Strategic Growth Options
Representation ID: 4828
Received: 17/02/2015
Respondent: Essex Wildlife Trust
The A127 already represents a significant barrier for the movement and dispersal of wildlife, particularly between valuable wildlife habitats at Thorndon Woods and Parkland to the north and the Langdon Ridge in the Basildon district to the south. Development along this transport corridor will serve to significantly increase the impact of this barrier and risks adversely impacting on the biodiversity of these two living landscapes. It is our view that at least one substantial wildlife bridge spanning the carriageway would be necessary to mitigate the serious adverse impacts of major development along this transport corridor.
The A127 already represents a significant barrier for the movement and dispersal of wildlife, particularly between valuable wildlife habitats at Thorndon Woods and Parkland to the north and the Langdon Ridge in the Basildon district to the south. Any development along this transport corridor will serve to increase the impact of this barrier and risks adversely impacting on the biodiversity of these two living landscapes, which are of great importance for maintaining the biodiversity of the area.
Significant conservation efforts would be required to offset such an impact, especially in view of the fact that such development will likely require widening of the A127 to accommodate the increased traffic. It is our view that at least one substantial wildlife bridge spanning the carriageway would be necessary to mitigate the serious adverse impacts of major development along this transport corridor. There are several examples of the successful construction of such "wildlife highways" being undertaken in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands.