EDITORIAL

As I do from time to time, I'm taking a rest, and handing over the editorial page to Maureen Neath, who has some important comments to make in respect of the proposed Eaves Green Link Road.

Neil Southworth (Editor)

The Eaves Green Link Road and its potential impact on Duxbury Woods.

As a resident of Duxbury for over 30 years, I was saddened when I learned that the Eaves Green Link Road is to go ahead. I objected to the road scheme not because I am a “NIMBY” but because I believe that we should be protecting, not destroying, our countryside. The developers have had their way for far too long and it is time to try to redress the balance.

Permission has now been granted and the road scheme will go ahead despite the efforts of hundreds of local people, the Duxbury Keep the Peace Campaign and the Chorley Ramblers’ Group, all of whom appreciate that building a road, a section of which runs through Duxbury Woods, will cause an intrusive visual impact and harm the landscape especially at the river crossing.

The findings of the Ecological Assessment section of the Environmental Statement, based on existing information, much of which was supplied by the Chorley & District Natural History Society, along with a survey undertaken by Penny Anderson Associates (PAA) between February and July 2000 and again in July 2002, describes the effects that the road will have on Duxbury Woods where much of the damage will be irreversible, especially in terms of the flora and fauna showed:

Positive evidence of the presence of four protected species:

• Kingfisher;
• Bat;
• Water vole;
• Great-crested newt.

The bird surveys showed:

• Birds on the red data list – kingfisher, dipper, song thrush and bullfinch;
• Twelve species of conservation concern;
• Lesser spotted woodpecker;
• A “good assemblage” of common woodland, woodland edge, aquatic and garden birds.

Other species:

• Several species of invertebrates were revealed including the great-crested newt.
• Several endemic species of bramble – of high local and regional importance have been identified within the area to be impacted by the river crossing.
• Fungi all of which are common and widespread.

Potential Species Impacts showed a potential loss of a range of common species – birds, invertebrates, small mammals and lower plants because of loss of habitat. Likewise, the loss of woodland habitat will result in the loss of potential nesting and foraging areas for the breeding birds recorded within the scheme corridor, including species of conservation concern.

Chorley Borough Council has acknowledged that “there would be adverse impact damage” particularly where the proposed road alignment crosses the River Yarrow at Bolton Road. This will necessitate the loss of fifteen to twenty metres of riverside habitat and there will be a permanent loss of associated vegetation on both banks. A further area of ancient woodland will be destroyed to the north west of the former Vertex Training Centre and existing woodland edges and associated habitats will disappear along with the existing wildlife shelter zone. This will expose the woodland exterior, on both sides of the river, to disturbance from road noises, dust and air pollution. Common habitats of woodland, scrub and grassland of local ecological value will also be lost.

Mitigation proposals are well documented, these include:

• Translocation of ancient woodland soil and selected trees and shrubs along with new native woodland planting;
• Pond creation and management along with new amphibian habitats;
• New artificial bat roosts;
• Artificial dipper nests;
• Noise amelioration measures;
• Road run-off treatment and dispersal;
• A commitment to nature conservation;
• Access management for Duxbury Woods Biological Heritage Site;
• Monitoring procedures;
• Provision for the retention and safe disposal of polluted spillage occurring on the road.

The definitive footpath (Footpath 41) will be diverted along a woodland route but it will cross the road where the proposed road severs the length of the path in the former Vertex Training Centre. A small, pedestrian refuge will be provided.

There is a stated commitment to undertake a management and maintenance plan for a minimum of five years from completion of the planting work and to inspect the site at least three times a year for three years following construction. During the same period there is a commitment to do an annual inspection of the existing woodland trees to determine whether any secondary effects become apparent.

What is noticeable by its absence is any commitment to manage, maintain, inspect and monitor after these stated periods. If Chorley residents are to gain any lasting benefits from this road scheme then these measures must become a long- term commitment in order to protect what remains of this area of natural beauty and special interest. Otherwise, the process of natural succession will eventually lead to an even greater deterioration of the site’s habitat and wildlife diversity.

Likewise, it is essential that, those of us who are concerned about our environment ensure that as much mitigation as is possible and practical is carried out prior to commencement of the work and that all mitigation work is implemented as a minimum and that permission to go ahead with the scheme is conditional upon this happening.

The views express here are personal and do not necessarily express the views of the C&DNHS.

Maureen Neath

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