Docklands Light Railway (DLR) Dagenham Dock Extension

Client:	Docklands Light Railway Ltd		Project start and completion dates:	July 2006 – Ongoing
Project:	EIA, sustainability and related services		Contract Value:	Confidential

Scheme overview

DLR Ltd has planned several extensions to the current DLR network, including one from Gallions Reach to Dagenham Dock.  The new line would serve key regeneration sites in the Barking Riverside area – part of the Thames Gateway growth corridor.  Public transport access is poor and it has been widely accepted that the future regeneration of the area will depend significantly upon the delivery of new transport infrastructure.

Services provided

Temple has provided the following services to DLR Ltd:

1.      Options appraisals;

2.      A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the preferred scheme;

3.      Flood Risk Assessment (FRA);

4.      Sustainability Appraisal and Statement;

5.      Carbon modelling and assessment; and

6.      Transport and Work Order support.

In addition, Temple provided support by way of specific technical reports, such as a spoil disposal and waste strategy and notes on historic buildings, wharves and jetties.  Temple produced mitigation strategies and a Code of Construction Practice.

Options appraisals

Temple worked alongside DLR and a multi-disciplinary team to provide route and destination option appraisals over a six month period.  Temple appraised each of the options with regards to impacts on people, natural resources and cultural heritage, describing the assumed effects on each using a seven point scale - from large beneficial, through neutral, to large adverse.  WebTAG reports were produced, and a robust and transparent process was put in place to identify the preferred route alignment and discount alternatives.

Temple also provided a series of environmental feature maps on a topic basis which identified areas of opportunities and constraints for the route alignment.

EIA and Environmental Statement

An EIA has been carried out on the preferred route alignment.  The first main output was a Scope and Method Report.  This set out the proposed scope (topics included and those excluded and justification as relevant) and the approach to undertaking the EIA.  This was issued to consultees on two separate occasions and revisions and updates were made prior to the impact assessment.  This was the first step to enabling effective communication with statutory and local stakeholders to understand their key priorities and concerns with respect to the scheme.

Detailed assessments included: archaeology and built heritage; ecology; contaminated land, water and flooding; landscape, townscape and visual amenity; noise and vibration; air quality and dust; traffic and access; community, and socio-economics.

  Temple’s approach has been to:

• Undertake detailed baseline studies;
• Predict significant impacts (positive and negative, direct and indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary);
• Review mitigation measures to prevent, reduce and offset any significant adverse effects on the environment.  Incorporated mitigation and mitigation options have been clearly separated;
• Produce an Environmental Statement (ES) and a non-technical summary.

Flood Risk Assessment (FRA)

A FRA has been undertaken for the site and the scheme in accordance with ‘PPS 25 – Development and Flood Risk’.  The following matters were considered:

• 6 potential sources of tidal, fluvial and pluvial flooding – the River Thames, River Roding, Buzzards Mouth Creek, Ship and Shovel Sewer, Gores Brook and surface water runoff;
• The condition and adequacy of existing drainage structures, such as culverts and sluices, and of flood defence structures;
• Overtopping and breaching of flood defences; and
• Impacts of flooding on the scheme.

Sustainability Statement / Appraisal

A review of local, regional national policy was carried out to identify relevant standards and targets, which were developed into project objectives. The scheme has been appraised and found to make positive and in some areas, an innovative contribution to sustainable development.

Carbon modelling and assessment

Temple is undertaking a carbon footprint estimation of the DLR scheme using the Environment Agency’s footprint tool.  This will provide a quantitative estimate of the carbon footprint of the construction phase.  Inputs to the estimation include: construction materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber); the transportation of materials to sites; disposal of any contaminated and uncontaminated spoil, and; staff travel to / from sites during the construction phase.

Post TWA submission, including public inquiry support

The ES and other documents to support the Transport and Works Order were formally deposited 30 April, 2008.  Temple will continue to support the client team in preparing for and responding to objections, if any, as part of the objection management process and provide support including expert witness testimony at any public inquiry, should this be required.  

Benefits

Temple has been able to bring an independent and objective/fresh approach to DLR Ltd.  Temple believes that EIA should be as much a communication tool as it is part of the decision making process.  In Temple’s experience, by using the outputs of the assessment to inform both the design itself and stakeholders, it is possible to nurture better understanding, overcome uncertainties and so reduce/avoid formal objections to the scheme.

Benefits to the client and to the project include:

• dovetailing effectively with the client team and other appointed consultants;
• offering a committed team of specialists, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields;
• providing strong and effective project management, to deliver the project to time, budget and quality;
• a good understanding of the transport planning system and associated procedures; and
• effective liaison with local and statutory stakeholders to minimise objections and manage risks.