A1(T) Elkesley Junction Improvements - Highways Agency

the junction area will not perceive a significant difference other than the elevation ofthe over bridge section and its associated lighting. Those receptors with direct viewstowards the over bridge section will have a slightly increased impact over and abovethe physical influence of the construction itself.Along the roads local to Elkesley Village, the change of lighting specification andinstallation to current design standards will raise lighting intensities from thoseexisting. However, in terms of road safety and pedestrian safety (reducing fear ofcrime and improving surveillance) there will be a benefit. The proposed light fittingswill control light sources more efficiently than existing, enabling more targeteddirection of light and a reduction of ambient light spillage.7.7 MitigationMitigation proposals form an integral part of the overall road design proposals. Theycomprise a combination of earthworks, planting and grassland measures, based onbroad objectives. These are:• Successful integration of the new route into the existing local landscapestructure. This may include enhancement of the local landscape or specificfeatures where appropriate.• The key issues surrounding the proposed design and engineering which haveshaped the approach to mitigation for Landscape Effects are as follows.• Integration into the local environment, and the screening and filtering of lowlevel visual clutter and vehicle movements as far as practical.• The creation of a strong, unified landscape framework utilising tree, shrub andscrub planting and grassland• The utilisation of native species found locally.• To explore the opportunities for habitat creation and enhancement, and theprotection and enhancement of areas of existing vegetation as far as practicalwithin the design requirements of the new scheme.• The development of screening proposals primarily with vegetation• The design of earthworks in such a manner as to create a smooth transitioninto the existing topography.Landscape Design PrinciplesThe following principles have guided the overall landscape design approach adoptedin the assessment.• To ensure that the road alignment achieves best fit with local landform andrespects existing landscape character.• To conserve existing planting as far as is possible and enhance the existingplanting structure, where appropriate.58