JJ/AP. Final 10 September Job number

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1 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures (M4 CEM) Scoping Report; Strategic Environmental Assessment, Health Impact and Equality Impact Assessments JJ/AP Final 10 September 2012 This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party. Job number Ove Arup & Partners Ltd 4 Pierhead Street Capital Waterside Cardiff CF10 4QP United Kingdom

2 Document Verification Job title Job number Document title File reference Document ref JJ/AP Revision Date Filename CIA Scoping Report Revised Draft.docx Draft 1 5 Sept 2012 Description First draft Name Prepared by Checked by Approved by Jessica Jones & Allan Pitt Simon Power Dan Saville Signature Final 10 Sept 2012 Filename Description SEA Scoping Report Final for Issue.docx Issue Name Prepared by Checked by Approved by Jessica Jones & Allan Pitt/Simon Simon Power Dan Saville Power Signature Filename Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Filename Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Issue Document Verification with Document

3 Contents 1 Introduction 1 Page 1.1 M4 CEM Programme Developing an M4 CEM Strategy 5 2 Approach to Reporting Purpose of this Report Additional Appraisal and Assessment 9 3 SEA Scoping Approach to SEA 10 4 Consultation Programme 18 5 Next Steps 19 J:\117000\ \4 INT PROJ DATA\4-150 ENGAGEMENT WORKING GROUP\STAGE 4 - REPORTING\SEA REPORT\SCOPING REPORT\SEA SCOPING REPORT FINAL FOR

4 1 Introduction The M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures (CEM) Programme is at a strategy level and aims to create a package of measures to deal with resilience, safety and reliability issues on the M4 around Newport. The M4 motorway between Magor and Castleton falls well short of modern motorway design standards, particularly in relation to capacity and safety. Problems with congestion and unreliable journey times have been a fact of life on the M4 around Newport for many years. Whilst early solutions to transport related problems on the M4 around Newport looked at relieving the demand on the M4 by providing an alternative motorway route to the south, the Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones announced that the New M4 scheme was unaffordable in an oral statement in July The statement accepted the need to urgently address safety and capacity issues on the existing route through introducing a range of measures and as such, the M4 CEM initiative was set up by the Welsh Government to develop a package of measures to provide lasting solutions to the issues of capacity, safety and resilience along the M4 Corridor, Magor to Castleton. This is a Welsh Government commitment, as included in both the National Transport Plan (March 2010) and Prioritised National Transport Plan (December 2011). This report sets out the proposed scope of a proposed Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the M4 CEM Programme. It also outlines the proposed work that will be undertaken in a combined matter in respect of Health and Equality Impact Assessments. The process will build upon work undertaken for the preparation of the National Transport Plan (NTP) in 2009 including the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and screening for Health Impact Assessment (HIA). This approach is based on the statement in the NTP SEA Environmental Report (2009) that:. Any such subsidiary SEA is likely to draw heavily upon the work already undertaken for the NTP, although there will be programme specific issues and assessment activities that will be required. Examples of where this may be the case include the studies to consider how transport issues around Wrexham, Cheshire and Deeside can be resolved and the consideration of a package of measures to improve the efficiency of the M4 in south-east Wales It also draws attention to a proposed parallel Habitats Regulations process that will be undertaken. This will also build upon the work undertaken for the preparation of the NTP in Page 1

5 1.1 M4 CEM Programme Background The M4 in South Wales forms part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which provides connections throughout Europe by road, rail, sea and air. The M4 plays a key strategic role in connecting South Wales with the rest of Europe, providing links to Ireland via the ports in South West Wales and England and mainland Europe to the east. It is a key east-west route being the main gateway into South Wales and also one of the most heavily used roads in Wales. Providing a facility for transporting goods, linking people to jobs and employment sites as well as serving the Wales tourism industry, the M4 is critical to the local South Wales economy. Cardiff and Newport have ambitious regeneration strategies and Monmouthshire is developing areas around Junction 23a of the M4. Congestion on the M4 could hamper these plans. The M4 between Junctions 28 and 24 was originally designed as the Newport Bypass with subsequent design amendments in the 1960s to include the first motorway tunnels to be built in the UK. The M4 Motorway between Magor and Castleton falls well short of modern motorway design standards. This section of the M4 has many lane drops and lane gains, resulting in some two-lane sections, an intermittent hard shoulder and frequent junctions. It is congested during weekday peak periods resulting in slow and unreliable journey times and stopstart conditions with frequent incidents causing delays. This together with increasing traffic, is why problems with congestion and unreliable journey times have been a fact of life on the M4 around Newport for many years. The motorway and surrounding highway network does not cope with sudden changes in demand or operation, as a result of accidents or extreme weather events for example. These issues are worse at times of peak travel and, as the number of users on the network increase, they are set to worsen. To address these issues, the feasibility of developing the M4 relief road was studied in significant detail. In July 2009, the Welsh Government announced that the project had become unaffordable. However, the Welsh Government recognised that important improvements should be made to the existing transport network. The M4 Magor to Castleton, Corridor Enhancement Measures Programme (M4 CEM) was set up to explore ways of making such improvements. Practical measures to make travel safer and easier on the M4 between Junctions 23a and 29 began in Early work to improve safety included replacing sections of steel central barriers with concrete ones, the introduction on Variable Speed Limit systems and the deployment of traffic officers. To ease congestion, improvements have been made to the roundabout at Junction 24 Coldra. Further details of the M4 CEM Programme and its evolution are available at Page 2

6 Figure 1: The Location and Strategic Importance of the M Problems on the M4 Corridor The Welsh Government has looked in detail at what travel related problems exist on the M4 Corridor Magor to Castleton, and asked people and those involved in managing transport in and around Newport what they thought the problems amount to. The problems have been defined as: Capacity 1. A greater volume of traffic uses the M4 around Newport than it was designed to accommodate, resulting in regular congestion at peak times over extended periods. 2. The M4 around Newport is used as a convenient cross town connection for local traffic, with insufficient local road capacity. 3. HGVs do not operate efficiently on the motorway around Newport. 4. There is insufficient capacity through some of the Junctions (e.g. 3 lane capacity drops to 2 lane capacity). 5. The 2-lane Brynglas tunnels are a major capacity constraint. 6. The M4 cannot cope with increased traffic from new developments. Resilience 7. Difficulties maintaining adequate traffic flows on the M4 and alternative highway routes at times of temporary disruption; alternative routes are not able to cope with M4 traffic. 8. The road and rail transport system in and around the M4 Corridor is at increasing risk of disruption due to extreme weather events. 9. When there are problems on the M4, there is severe disruption and congestion on the local and regional highway network. 10. The M4 requires essential major maintenance within the next 5-10 years; this will involve prolonged lane and speed restrictions, thus increasing congestion problems. 11. There is insufficient advance information to inform travel decisions when there is a problem on the M4. Page 3

7 Safety 12. The current accident rates on the M4 between Magor and Castleton are higher than average for UK motorways. 13. The existing M4 is an inadequate standard compared to modern design standards. 14. Some people s driving behaviour leads to increased accidents (e.g. speeding, lane hogging, unlicensed drivers). Sustainable Development 15. There is a lack of adequate sustainable integrated transport alternatives for existing road users. 16. Traffic noise from the motorway and air quality is a problem for local residents in certain areas. 17. The existing transport network acts as a constraint to economic growth and adversely impacts the current economy Aims of the M4 CEM Programme The aims of the M4 CEM Programme are to: 1. Make it easier and safer for people to access their homes, workplaces and services by walking, cycling, public transport or road. 2. Deliver a more efficient and sustainable transport network supporting and encouraging long-term prosperity in the region, across Wales, and enabling access to international markets. 3. To produce positive effects overall on people and the environment, making a positive contribution to the overarching Welsh Government goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to making Wales more resilient to the effects of climate change Goals of the M4 CEM Programme The Welsh Government has identified the following goals, which the M4 CEM Programme should aim to achieve, in order to ease the flow in the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton: When the M4 CEM Programme is concluded we will benefit from: 1. Safer, easier and more reliable travel east-west in South Wales. 2. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3. More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and strategic journeys around Newport. 4. Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5. More reliable journey times along the M4 Corridor. Page 4

8 6. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport Corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7. Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8. Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9. Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 Corridor. 10. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11. Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12. An M4 attractive for strategic journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13. Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14. Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15. A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 1.2 Developing an M4 CEM Strategy Having established the problems and the need to tackle them, the Welsh Government has involved others in exploring a very wide range of possible ways of solving these problems and of delivering the goals of the M4 CEM Strategy. A long list of possible solutions has been explored. No single solution delivers all the goals, but through this methodology, measures that contribute towards a combination of compatible options, or Packages, have been identified. The Packages combine public transport, highway and other travel solutions. The strategic approaches adopted by the Welsh Government to reduce congestion and to delivering the M4 CEM Goals all involve creating some new highway capacity on the M4, and /or elsewhere in the highway network between Magor and Castleton. However traffic congestion will not simply disappear as a result of capacity increase. This is because the development of new or up-graded, convenient and reliable roads tends to encourage more people on to them. This results in additional vehicles using additional road capacity (not a stable volume of vehicles using more/emptier roads). To avoid this and to curb the rising demand for more highway capacity and to put transport onto a carbon reduction pathway, the M4 CEM Programme proposes increasing and improving the opportunities for access, and for travel and transport using alternatives modes, such as trains and buses (public transport), cycling and walking. We also propose minimising the need for certain types of journey. To enable the sustained productivity and competitiveness of Wales, and the South East Wales region in particular, highway infrastructure must also be developed; several alternative approaches are possible, each with particular advantages and challenges. In addition, some other common measures can enhance the effectiveness of each of the possible strategies we are considering. Page 5

9 The approach the Welsh Government may take is summarised below: Public Transport Measures + Highway Infrastructure option A or B or C or D + Common Measures = M4 CEM Strategy (Package of measures) As shown above, a possible strategy will comprise a range of the following measures, full details of which are provided within the Consultation Document (Appendix A): Public transport measures. Highway infrastructure measures: o Highway Option A: additional high quality road to the south of Newport. o Highway Option B: at grade junction improvements to the A48 Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR). o Highway Option C: grade separated junction improvements to the A48 SDR. o Highway Option D: online widening on the M4 between Junctions 24 and 29, including an additional tunnel at Brynglas. Common measures: these are additional measures being considered to support the strategic public transport and highway capacity measures in addressing travel related problems within the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. They comprise a mix of highway infrastructure, demand management, alternative modes and smarter sustainable choices. The measures will be assessed in the SEA in packages of similar types/ characteristics e.g. public transport measures. Page 6

10 2 Approach to Reporting 2.1 Purpose of this Report The M4 CEM Programme is a package of measures derived from the National Transport Plan in order to deal with resilience, safety and reliability issues on the M4 around Newport. As a strategy or programme, the Welsh Government considers that the M4 CEM Programme falls within the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Regulations 2004 and that an SEA of the Programme is required. Furthermore, the Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) (June 2008) requires two additional assessments: a Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA). Therefore this report encompasses the scoping for the following assessments: M4 CEM Programme SEA. M4 CEM Programme HIA M4 CEM Programme EqIA Methodologies for each as set out below in the following sections. Given the formal statutory process associated with the SEA this scoping report gives greatest emphasis to the scoping of this assessment stream. In addition, as part of the M4 CEM Programme, a Stage 1 WelTAG appraisal will be undertaken. The appraisal criteria to be used in WELTAG will focus on the overarching impact areas relevant to Wales including the economy, society and environment. A separate Habitats Regulation Assessment is proposed; which is described in more detail in Section M4 CEM Programme SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a process that provides for the high level protection of the environment, by ensuring that the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation of strategies and plans and to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development and environmental protection. SEA for certain plans and programmes is a legal requirement under the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC). In Wales, this is transposed and implemented through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes (Wales) Regulations 2004 (referred to as the SEA Regulations in this report). Page 7

11 In summary, the SEA process requires the Welsh Government to: Prepare an Environmental Report on the likely significant effects of the M4 CEM Programme. Consult on the M4 CEM Programme and the Environmental Report. Take into account the Environmental Report and the results of consultation in decision-making. Provide information when a preferred strategy derived from the M4 CEM Programme is adopted and show how the results of the environmental assessment have been taken into account. In undertaking the SEA, the Welsh Government will employ the detailed SEA advice produced by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister (now Communities and Local Government) M4 CEM Programme HIA Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is defined as: A combination of procedures, methods and tools by which a policy, programme or project may be judged as to its potential effects on the health of a population, and the distribution of those effects within the population. In other words it is a process that considers the wider effects of local and national policies or initiatives and how they, in turn, may affect people s health. The completion of a HIA is a mandatory requirement of WelTAG. However, there is no set procedure (and little published guidance) for conducting an assessment. HIA will therefore be developed to suit the circumstances of the M4 CEM Programme and will be proportionate. The impact of possible M4 CEM measures on health and wellbeing should be considered with reference to relevant WelTAG criteria. As part of the assessment the Welsh Government and its consultants will engage with the Welsh Health Impact Assessment Support Unit (WHIASU) for guidance and support on HIA issues and on the gathering of appropriate data. Where relevant, advice will be sought from: Public Health Strategy Division, Welsh Assembly Government; Local Health Board; Wales Spatial Plan Managers; Director of Public Health; Health and Well-being strategy manager; Community Cohesion Officer; Voluntary organisations. In addition, the information that has already been gathered for the WelTAG assessment will also inform the HIA. The M4 CEM Consultation Document, available online at contains further information in this respect. 1 A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive, ODPM, 2005 Page 8

12 2.1.3 M4 CEM Programme EqIA An Equality Impact Assessment should be undertaken to determine how and to what extent the M4 CEM Programme, as a strategy, affects different social and demographic groups. The assessment will determine the most appropriate actions necessary to address any inequalities and remove adverse effects. The Equality Impact Assessment will be undertaken in accordance with guidance provided by the Welsh Assembly Government s Equality and Human Rights Division. In addition, the information that has already been gathered for the WelTAG assessment will also inform the EqIA. 2.2 Additional Appraisal and Assessment Habitats Regulations Assessment In Wales, the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2 (referred to as the Habitats Regulations in this report), implements the EU Habitats Directive (Directive (92/43/EEC) on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild flora and fauna) and certain elements of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). This legislation provides the legal framework for the protection of habitats and species of European importance, identifying a network of protected sites. Protected sites comprise Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). The Habitats Regulations are also applied to candidate SACs (csac), potential Special Protection Areas (pspa) and Ramsar sites (designated under the 1971 Ramsar Convention for their internationally important wetlands). These sites are referred to collectively in this report as European sites. Regulation 9(5) of the Habitats Regulations requires that a competent authority must consider the requirements of Habitats Directive in exercising any of its functions. Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive defines the requirements for assessment of plans and projects potentially affecting European sites. This requires that: a competent authority, before deciding to undertake, or give any consent, permission or other authorisation for a plan or project which is likely to have a significant effect on a European site, and is not directly connected with or necessary to the management of that site, must make an Appropriate Assessment of the implications for that site in view of that site s conservation objectives The Welsh Government considers that the M4 CEM Programme falls within the definition of a plan as defined by the Habitats Directive and the Programme will therefore require consideration in a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA). HRA is a separate, discrete requirement to the SEA. As a result, an HRA screening at a strategic level for the M4 CEM Programme will be undertaken as a separate assessment and is specifically excluded from this report. 2 The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010, SI 490, 2010 Page 9

13 3 SEA Scoping The SEA Regulations require responsible authorities, when deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information that must be included in an SEA Environmental Report, to consult with the statutory consultation bodies. Where a consultation body wishes to respond, it must do so within the period of 5 weeks beginning with the date on which the consultation begins. The Welsh Government is therefore consulting the following organisations on the scope of the SEA: Environment Agency. Countryside Council for Wales. Cadw the members of the South East Wales Transport Alliance ( SEWTA ) namely the following local authorities: o Blaenau Gwent o Bridgend o Caerphilly o Cardiff o Merthyr Tydfil o Monmouthshire o Newport o Rhondda Cynon Taf o Torfaen o Vale of Glamorgan The Caldicot and Wentlooge Internal Drainage Board 3.1 Approach to SEA In accordance with the Regulations, the M4 CEM SEA will satisfy the following stages of assessment, utilising data gathered for the M4 CEM work to date: 1. Identifying other relevant plans, programmes and environmental protection objectives. 2. Collecting and updating further baseline information over an appropriate study area 3. Identifying any further environmental problems not identified as part of the M4 CEM programme. 4. Developing SEA objectives. By virtue of the nature of the possible M4 CEM options, the likely environmental impacts could be experienced at a local, regional, national and or international geographic scale. As such, the extent of the SEA assessment will be tailored as appropriate to reflect the potential varying scales of influence. It is expected however that the majority of SEA issues of relevance can be addressed via use of an environmental study area as used for the M4 CEM programme as reproduced as Figure 2 below. The area contains a range of environmental designations and constraints including those of an international protected status and these will be fully acknowledged in the SEA. Page 10

14 Figure 2 Proposed study area for the SEA and main environmental constraints Relevant Policies, Plans and Programmes The SEA Regulations require the Environmental Report to consider the environmental protection objectives which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation. The SEA Scoping Report for the National Transport Plan (February 2009) incorporated a thorough review of national, regional and local plans and programmes 3. The topics covered in the National Transport Plan SEA are broadly in line with those to be addressed in the SEA for the M4 CEM Programme. The review of plans and programmes will therefore include an assessment of plans, programmes and policies that were considered as part of the National Transport Plan SEA and which have the most direct relevance to the M4 CEM Programme SEA. The review will also consider policies and guidance that has been published or amended since the publication of the National Transport Plan SEA. Particular emphasis in the review will be given to the latest development plan documents appropriate to the Newport and Monmouthshire County areas. It is important to note that the M4 CEM Programme has been developed in full acknowledgement of the local policy context. The M4 CEM Consultation Document, available online at outlines much of the work undertaken to date. 3 Table 2 National Transport Plan SEA Scoping Report, February 2009 Page 11

15 The review of relevant policies, plans and programmes will aim to ensure that the following hierarchy of guidance is incorporated into the assessment: Relevant EU Directives. Appropriate UK guidance and policy statements. National policy and guidance relevant in Wales. Regional guidance and strategies. Local adopted and emerging policies, together with appropriate supplementary guidance. A definitive list of relevant policies, plans and programmes will be provided in the Environmental Report. As part of the scoping exercise, we welcome any information from consultees in identifying additional plans and programmes that should be considered as part of the SEA Baseline Information The SEA Regulations require a discussion of the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme (Annex 1 (b)). The baseline provides the reference point for predicting and monitoring the effects of the M4 CEM Programme. In this context, the baseline means the prevailing characteristics of the current situation. Relevant policies, plans and programmes will contain a range of background data and information. This will help to inform the baseline environmental information for the M4 CEM Programme. In addition, as part of the option development process associated with the M4 CEM Programme a range of social, environmental and economic data has been collected to inform the WelTAG appraisal process. This data resource will be utilised in establishing baseline conditions for the SEA but will be updated to reflect the most up to date environmental information available eg. on noise and air quality conditions. The M4 CEM Consultation Document, available online at provides a summary of baseline conditions as well as an appraisal of social, economic and environmental criteria which will be directly relevant to the SEA evidence gathering exercise Identifying Environmental Problems All of the possible M4 CEM options will be assessed against the relevant SEA criteria. The SEA topics, as described in the National Transport Plan SEA Scoping Report, will include: Air quality Climatic factors, including greenhouse gas emissions and adaptation to the effects of climate change; Noise and vibration; Biodiversity, fauna and flora; Population, including severance and accessibility; Human health, including physical fitness, security and safety; Page 12

16 Soil; Water, including quality, quantity and flood risk; Material assets, including resource efficiency and waste; Cultural heritage and the historic environment, including architectural and archaeological heritage; Landscape and townscape, including light pollution; and The inter-relationships of the above. As the transport sector has wide ranging effects across the range of environmental topics it is not possible to scope out any of the topics from the assessment process. The SEA will therefore place equal emphasis on all the topics listed above. These topics will form the basis for identifying relevant environmental problems in response to the baseline conditions. The SEA will also give due consideration to the following issues in order that the requirements of the HIA and EqIA are met: Equality, diversity and human rights; Employment status; Crime and safety; and Culture, leisure, tourism and recreation Developing SEA Objectives The proposed M4 CEM SEA Objectives, in line with the National Transport Plan and the M4 CEM aims and goals, are summarised in Table A. It is anticipated that these will also form the basis for the Health and Equality Impact Assessments, subject to minor modifications. It is important to note that these proposed M4 CEM SEA Objectives will be updated as result of the policy and plans update review and the review of the environmental baseline data collected for the M4 CEM programme. Page 13

17 Table A: Proposed M4 CEM SEA Objectives NTP SEA Objective 4 M4 CEM Aims and Goals Proposed M4 CEM SEA Objective Minimise transport related air pollution Reduce transport related greenhouse gas emissions Ensure that adequate adaptation measures to climate change are in place Minimise transport related noise and vibration Ensure that biodiversity is valued, protected and enhanced Reduce transport related contamination and safeguard soil quality and quantity Minimise transport related effects on water quality, flood plains and areas of flood risk Ensure that natural resources and energy are used efficiently Ensure that diversity, local distinctiveness and cultural heritage are valued, protected, celebrated and enhanced Ensure that landscape and townscape is properly valued, conserved and enhanced Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre To produce positive effects overall on people and the environment, making a positive contribution to the overarching Welsh Government goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to making Wales more resilient to the effects of climate change. Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 Corridor n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre Ensure that adequate adaptation measures to climate change are in place Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 Corridor Ensure that biodiversity is valued, protected and enhanced Reduce transport related contamination and safeguard soil quality and quantity Minimise transport related effects on water quality, flood plains and areas of flood risk Ensure that natural resources and energy are used efficiently Ensure that diversity, local distinctiveness and cultural heritage are valued, protected, celebrated and enhanced Ensure that landscape and townscape is properly valued, conserved and enhanced 4 National Transport Plan Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report, February 2009 Page 14

18 3.1.5 Assessment of Effects Expert judgement will be the primary method used to assess the effects of the M4 CEM Programme. The significant effects, both during construction and operation, which require consideration are summarised in Table B and are sourced from the identification of significant effects in the National Transport Plan (NTP) SEA Statement (Table 2). 5 It is considered appropriate that these can be applied directly to the M4 CEM programme as the latter contains a subset of the types of transport interventions and measures considered in the NTP. It is anticipated that these will also form the basis for the Health and Equality Impact Assessments, subject to minor modifications. Table B: Assessment of Significant Effects Indicator Air quality Biodiversity Climate change adaptation Cultural heritage Greenhouse gas emissions Human health Landscape and townscape Significant Effects Changes in air quality Air quality in areas directly affected by transport interventions Project level effects Transport effects on biodiversity, including disturbance of species and habitats Project level effects Flood risk and flooding events on the transport network Project level effects Transport effects on historic sites and landscapes Project level effects Levels of greenhouse gas emissions Accidents related to transport Respiratory health Effects relating to the use of active travel modes Project level effects Transport effects on tranquillity and light pollution Effects on landscapes and townscapes from transport Project level effects Material assets Noise and vibration Levels of use of secondary and recycled aggregates Condition of the transport infrastructure Project level effects Noise levels related to transport Project level effects 5 National Transport Plan SEA Statement, March 2010 Page 15

19 Indicator Population Soil Water Significant Effects Access to key services Transport related security Community severance from transport Project level effects Transport effects on soil (loss, sealing, contamination) Project level effects Transport effects on water quality Project level effects The baseline data will provide the evidence base to support expert judgements on the significance of effects and it will also be important to consider how the SEA Objectives interact with each other. The full extent of these considerations is described in Table C below. These considerations are comparable with those used on the SEA of the National Transport Plan. Table C: Considerations to be used during the SEA Issues for Consideration Type of Effect Magnitude and Spatial Extent Vulnerability of Receptor Timing and Duration of the Effect Details Positive or negative Direct or indirect, primary or secondary; Cumulative; and Temporary or permanent. Where will it impact? Will it be within Newport, South Wales, Wales, or more widely? Will it cause trans-boundary issues and impact on adjacent areas or regionally, nationally or internationally? What is the geographical area and size of population likely to be affected? Sensitivity of receptors; Special natural characteristics/areas or cultural heritage; Protected areas (nature conservation and cultural heritage); and Relative importance of the site, whether it is a nationally or internationally important feature or of local significance. Short term 0 4 years Medium 5 9 years Long term -10+ years Page 16

20 Once the impact has been identified the significance of the effect needs to be determined. To do this a suite of significance criteria has been developed. The proposed criteria are described in Table D below. As with Table C above, these criteria are comparable with those used on the SEA of the National Transport Plan. Table D: SEA Significance Criteria Significance of Effect 2 1 Major Positive Minor Positive 0 Neutral -1-2 Minor Negative Major Negative? Unknown N/ A Not Applicable Description of Effect Likely to benefit a large part of the M4 CEM Programme area or a large number of people and receptors. The effects are likely to be direct and permanent and the magnitude will be major The extent of predicted beneficial effects is likely to be limited to small areas within M4 CEM Programme area or small groups of people and receptors. The effects can be direct or indirect, temporary or reversible. The magnitude of the predicted effects will be minor. Neutral effects are predicted where the option being assessed is unlikely to alter the present or future baseline situation. Minor negative effects are likely to be limited to small areas within the M4 CEM Programme area, or limited to small groups of people and receptors. The effects can be direct or indirect, temporary or reversible. The importance of the receptor that is effect is likely to be minor as is the magnitude of the predicted effect. Likely to affect the whole, or large part of the M4 CEM Programme area. Also applies to effects on nationally or internationally important assets. The effects are likely to be direct, irreversible and permanent. The magnitude of the predicted effects will also be major. This significance criterion is applied to effects where there is insufficient information to make a robust assessment. It is also applied to the assessment of options that can have both positive and negative effects and it is not clear whether the positive or negative effects outweigh each other. This is applied to objectives that are clearly not affected by the option or project being assessed. Page 17

21 4 Consultation Programme In order to avoid unnecessary duplication of information on the proposed M4 CEM Programme, consultation on the SEA, and information gathering on the HIA/EqIA, is being undertaken as a single consultation exercise and has been incorporated into this document. The report is available for comment by the statutory consultees for the statutory five week period commencing 12 th September The consultation will close on17th October All comments should be directed to the following:- Simon Power Associate Director Arup, 4 Pierhead Street, Cardiff, CF64 2WN In preparing responses to this combined consultation, the Welsh Government wishes to pose the following specific questions: 1. Are there any specific policies, plans and programmes that will affect or influence environmental aspects of the M4 CEM Programme that we should pick up on in our detailed review of the hierarchy of policies and plans identified in Section 3.1.1? 2. Do you agree that the approach to reviewing and updating the baseline data summarised for inclusion in the Environmental Report is appropriate, i.e. is it at the right level and coverage across social and environmental issues? Do we propose to cover the correct geographic area and issues? 3. Do you know of any additional relevant baseline data which is pertinent to the M4 CEMS SEA, EqIA and HIA? Do you collect any information that could be used to enhance the completeness of baseline information? 4. Do you agree that the identified M4 CEM SEA objectives are appropriate? 5. Is the SEA assessment process set out transparent and appropriate? 6. In what ways might the assessment process outlined for SEA be best modified to address Health and Equality issues? The views expressed during the consultation period will feed into the next stages of the SEA and add to the understanding of the nature and importance of the potential effects of the M4 CEM Programme. They will contribute to the analysis of key environmental issues and trends identified as a result of the review of policies and and plans, and of the environmental baseline. The strategic environmental assessment, which has started, will be collated in an Environmental Report and there will be a further opportunity for consultation on the Environment Report in due course. The preparation of the EqIA and HIA will be started shortly separately and relevant organisations approached for information and advice. Page 18

22 5 Next Steps Once the consultation period has been completed, the following stages will be undertaken: Develop and define M4 CEM measures as necessary to inform the assessment process (underway) Review policy and plans in detail (underway) Update the baseline environmental information gathered (underway) Engagement with relevant organisations to inform data and the approach to the health and equality impact assessments Preparation of the SEA Environmental Report, HIA and EqIA reports. Preparation of a Habitat Regulations Assessment screening report. Consultation on the Environmental Report Use the environmental report to inform decision-making on the M4 CEM Programme Report on how the SEA has been taken into account in making the decision on a preferred outcome. Page 19