Newlands Cross Upgrade EIS - European Investment Bank

South Dublin County Council N7 Newlands Cross Upgrade
Environmental Impact Statement
Arup Consulting Engineers
11.4.3.1 Badgers
There will be a minor negative impact on badgers that use the area due to loss of foraging area
and general disturbance during construction and site clearance. The loss of one disused badger
would have a neutral impact on the local badger population.
11.4.3.2 Bats
The key impacts on bats arise through loss of roosts, loss of feeding areas and commuting
routes. A variety of habitats is noted along the route – these vary in their importance for bats.
The main impact on bats arises through the loss of individual trees and sections of woodland
along the route which may be used by a number of bat species. Impact to be quantified
through further survey in the spring months when bats are out of hibernation and more active.
11.4.3.3 Birds
Birds will be negatively impacted by the loss of feeding and nesting habitat within trees and
hedgerows along the route, and potentially by increased disturbance such as noise,
particularly during construction of the proposed junction upgrade. Overall however the level
of impact on birds will not be significant.
11.4.4 Aquatic Environment and Fisheries
There will be no direct impacts on watercourses. However, there is some potential for indirect
impacts through surface water run off from site operations into drainage channels that drain
into the Camac River. As this is a salmonid river, a siltation or pollution event would have
moderate to major impacts on the river. Mitigation measures provided in section 11.5 and
Chapter 14 (Section 14.5) will greatly reduce the potential for indirect impacts on the Camac
River.
11.5 Mitigation Measures
Where appropriate, mitigation proposals have been based on recommendations in the
Environmental Assessment and Construction Guidelines, prepared by the NRA 4
All site clearance works will comply with the above NRA Guidelines.
• Where programmed construction activities permit, there will be no removal of hedgerows,
trees, treelines or areas of semi-natural habitat during the peak bird breeding season of
March to June inclusive.
• Any confirmed bat roosts occurring within CPO will not be disturbed during the
hibernation (November to February) or breeding periods (May to August), in accordance
with the NRA “Guidelines for the Treatment of Bats During the Construction of National
Road Schemes 18 .
• Individual mature trees that are to be retained along the boundary of temporary works line,
will be afforded protection in accordance with the NRA Guidelines for the Protection and
Preservation of Trees, Hedgerows and Scrub prior to, during and post construction of
National Road Schemes 19
• All habitat compensation will be carried out in association with the landscape design and
in accordance with the NRA guidelines: A Guide to Landscape Treatment for National
Road Schemes in Ireland 20
• The ERFB 21 guidance document on Requirements for the protection of fisheries habitat
during construction and development works at river sites should be consulted in advance
of the scheme (refer to Chapter 14, Surface Water and Drainage Section 14.5 for relevant
mitigation measures).
December 2007 Page 168