Page 284 - Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy: Environmental Report

Alderney Regional Environmental Assessment of Renewable Energy:
Environmental Report
traffic impact assessment in the EIA process, where the project itself is not a road traffic
scheme (EMEC and Xodus AURORA, 2010). This guidance contains information on
determining the magnitude and significance of environmental impacts of road traffic.
7.9.1.3 Study area
Given the uncertainties regarding the Draft Plan (e.g. exact location of onshore cables), the full
extent of the study area for traffic and transport is considered to be limited to the location of
existing transport infrastructure on the island. Marine traffic is fully covered in the Commercial
and Recreational Shipping and Navigation section (Section 7.3).
7.9.2 Impact Assessment
The Draft Plan has the potential to affect traffic and transport in the study area through a
number of impact pathways which are assessed in the following sections:
ƒ Increased Traffic (Section 7.9.2.1);
ƒ Increase in Size of Vehicles (Section 7.9.2.2);
ƒ Increase in Size and Weight of Vehicle Loads (Section 7.9.2.3);
ƒ Damage to Roads (Section 7.9.2.4);
ƒ Traffic Congestion (Section 7.9.2.5);
ƒ Potential Road Hazards (Section 7.9.2.6); and
ƒ Creation of Dirt and Dust by Vehicles (Section 7.9.2.7).
The sensitivity of the traffic and transport receptors on Alderney are considered to be high
given that the existing infrastructure comprise small aeroplanes and single lane roads primarily
in low population/rural areas.
The existing infrastructure provides an amenity for a relatively low population (circa 2,000
inhabitants) and also the many visitors to the island. The main road network on the island
comprises a circular route with various intersecting smaller roads and therefore it should be
possible to use alternative routes if there is a need to avoid potential impacts arising from the
Draft Plan. Taking all these considerations into account, the overall importance of traffic and
transport receptors is considered to be low to moderate.
7.9.2.1 Increased traffic
The Draft Plan will result in an increase in road traffic on Alderney. This exposure to change is
anticipated to be negligible during any pre-construction survey and maintenance work during
the operational phase, resulting in an insignificant impact. The greatest magnitude of change
will be experienced during construction and decommissioning phases, although the nature of
the change will only be temporary lasting for the period of the proposed programme of works
which is currently unknown. Additional onshore substations may be required for the full build
out of the Draft Plan (a minimum of four onshore substations/converter stations, see
Section 2.2.2), which are likely to involve a number of construction workers and associated
traffic, particularly if an HVDC converter station is required. The exposure to change is
anticipated to be moderate to high resulting in a minor to moderate adverse impact. .
R/4001/7 260 R.2129