Rare species threatened over A12 gas pipeline plans
Wickham Bishops Parish Council say it could destroy habitats of red kites, otters and many other species of wildlife.
Last updated 15th Dec 2021
Habitats of important and rare species of birds and aquatic mammals are being threatened by plans to reroute a high pressure gas pipe to allow A12 widening, residents have been told.
Wickham Bishops Parish Council say that three options under A12 Witham bypass widening scheme would cause the permanent loss of mature trees and hedgerows and destroy habitats of red kites, otters and many other species of wildlife.
The parish council added it would also have a detrimental effect on the setting of listed buildings and a historic lane.
It added their support to National Highways own preferred, albeit more expensive option, to route the pipe alongside the widened A12, staying on the north side of the Blackwater, rather than diverting through Blue Mills and Ishams Chase which will require a 25 metre-wide strip of land to be cleared, and left cleared, where the pipeline runs.
However the final decision will be made by Cadent Gas Limited.
In a statement the council said: “As part of the A12 Witham Bypass widening work, a gas pipeline needs to be rerouted.
“A last minute consultation has been announced proposing a number of routes for the gas pipeline.
“Proposed routes 2, 4 and 5 will see the pipeline diverted through Blue Mills and Ishams Chase which will require a 25 metre-wide strip of land to be cleared, and left cleared, above where the pipeline runs.
“These routes will cross the Blackwater twice, cause the permanent loss of mature trees and hedgerows and destroy habitat of red kites, otters and many other species of wildlife, and have a detrimental effect on the setting of listed buildings and a historic lane.
“There is a much better route which will simply go alongside the widened A12, staying on the north side of the Blackwater, but it is understood this is the more expensive option as it goes through former landfill site. But we can’t let cost simply override the ecological damage that the cheaper routes will cause.
“The parish council yesterday (December 8) resolved to object to these plans. But the nature of this consultation means that weight will be given to the quantity of objections.”
National Highways admit diversion corridors 2, 4 and 5 have the potential for significant effects on additional archaeological remains south of Little Braxted while corridors 2 and 5 also have the potential for significant effects on the site of Machin’s Mill or Blue Mills.
They add all diversion options have the potential for significant effects on local landscape character and properties due to vegetation loss and all diversion options have the potential for significant effects from the loss of mature woodland.
Diversion corridors 1 and 3 would involve excavations adjacent to Whetmead Local Nature Reserve.
The parish council’s objections come as National Highways holds a supplementary consultation on the A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening scheme on changes made since the statutory consultation in the summer.
The preferred route involves widening the existing A12 between junctions 19 and 25 to three lanes in each direction (where it is not already) and create a three-lane bypass in each direction at Rivenhall End.
Updated proposals include removal of junction 21 Southern link road, so the traffic will use a new and enhanced northern link road via Wellington Bridge to access the proposed junction 21 alongside walkers, cyclist and horse riders, removal of proposed noise barriers through Hatfield Peverel to be replaced with improved road surfacing with better noise performance and options for Gas Main Diversion corridors near Witham.
A statement as part of the supplementary National Highways consultation document said: “We have carried out further work on possible corridors which could accommodate this pipeline.
“This work has identified five corridor options where the gas main could be diverted. As part of the proposed scheme, we will need to reroute part of the high pressure gas pipeline.
“We are therefore asking for your opinions on each of the possible diversion corridors. It is important to note that the decision on which route which will be taken forward will be a decision for Cadent Gas Limited who operate and maintain the gas distribution network, but your comments could influence the decision that they make.
“Corridors 1 and 3 would be our preferred routes as they broadly run alongside the proposed scheme, and therefore have less impacts on the surrounding area.
“Corridors 2, 4 and 5 were designed to provide alternative options whilst providing sufficient width to reduce impacts on properties, businesses and ecologically sensitive areas (including a nature reserve) where possible.
“As we stated, the final decision will be made by Cadent Gas Limited who will consider many other factors such as operational safety.”
Cadent has been asked to comment.