A1(T) Elkesley Junction Improvements - Highways Agency

The major visual impacts relate to properties in and around the western margins ofElkesley Village, in particular those properties sited along Coalpit Lane/Pepperly Risethat have unrestricted views of the existing A1(T) corridor and the proposed junctionarea.The siting of the major access related construction elements to the north of the A1(T)carriageway helps to minimise the visual effects experienced by these properties,although it is accepted that the magnitude of change is high and that impacts will beexperienced. The re-alignment of Coalpit Lane will provide scope for mitigationplanting that will help create filtered views of the junction area as the vegetationmatures. Similarly, the planting associated with the junction itself will soften the visualprominence of the junction. The elevation of the over bridge will be a new and visibleelement within the landscape, although set below the visible horizon level to viewsfrom the west and south.Isolated properties to the north of the scheme along Jockey Lane, despite thepresence of existing and mature garden boundary vegetation will be subject toincreased visual impacts due to the increased proximity of road networks andearthworks linking with the A1(T) corridor. Mitigation planting will moderate thisimpact over time and provide a means of visual protection from the existing A1(T)carriageway, although the relative proximity of the access road alignment will remain.Lighting:Lighting proposals in respect of landscape will not substantially alter the character ofthe setting. The presence of the existing A1(T) corridor means that the baselineimpacts already experienced would not markedly change under the new proposals.There will be an increase in elevation of lighting at the over bridge section, althoughin terms of landscape character it will be the cumulative effect of the bridge structurethat will impose the most influence.New lighting proposals local to Elkesley Village (along the western edge of the HighStreet and along Coalpit Lane) will again not substantially impact on residentialareas. While there would be a modest increase in lighting output, this would bedirected more efficiently with new lighting columns/lamps and provide a saferperceived environment for local traffic and pedestrian safety.Lighting proposals would replace existing out of date lighting arrangements whereappropriate and would be in accordance with current standards and legislation.62