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EIA and associated services - BAA Heathrow Airtrack
Client:
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BAA Ltd
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Project start and completion dates:
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September 2007 – Spring 2009
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Project:
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Heathrow Airtrack
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Contract Value:
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Confidential
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Services Provided
Temple Group has been commissioned by BAA Ltd to provide EIA and associated services (see full description below) in order to progress the Heathrow Airtrack scheme. The scheme is a proposed rail link between Heathrow Terminal 5 and the South West rail network, to both the south and west of the airport. The new line would be constructed between Heathrow and Staines, linking in with the existing rail network and providing services to London Waterloo, Guildford and Reading.
Temple have been appointed to provide a range of services, including:
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Environmental and planning input to identify a preferred route alignment;
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An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and preparation of an Environmental Statement and non-technical summary;
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A Health Impact Assessment (HIA);
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A Sustainability Appraisal (SA);
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Support to secure a TWA order; and
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Support in a Public Inquiry if necessary.
Route option assessment
Temple will provide specialist and detailed support in the development of a preferred route option. As part of this process Temple will develop an environmental features map (including constraints and opportunities) to inform the process and will ensure that all options are appraised and that the preferred route alignment is one that compares favourably with others. It is anticipated that the optioneering will take 3-4 months and a preferred option identified in January 2008. Environmental Impact Assessment
The main element of work will be a full EIA of the preferred route option, which will start early in 2008. Temple will produce a scoping and methodology report during the route optioneering stage, which will identify those topics to be scoped out and the rationale for this as well as those to be included in the assessment and the proposed scope and method for each topic.
The scoping and methodology report will be informed by the environmental features maps and through consultation with key stakeholders including statutory consultees.
Temple’s EIA approach will involve:
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a review of environmental baseline information;
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undertaking detailed baseline studies;
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assessment and prediction of significant impacts (positive and negative, direct and indirect, secondary, cumulative, short, medium and long-term, permanent and temporary);
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review of mitigation measures to prevent, reduce and where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment i.e. incorporated mitigation and mitigation options;
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preparation of a schedule of significant effects; and
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production of the Environmental Statement (ES) and a non-technical summary.
We believe that by using the outputs of the assessment to inform both design development and stakeholders, it is possible to nurture better understanding, overcome uncertainties and so avoid formal objections to the scheme. Health Impact Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal
Large scale infrastructure developments are increasingly being expected to provide an assessment beyond solely an EIA, and it is now increasingly common place for a health impact assessment and sustainability statement (or appraisal) to accompany such development.
Temple will prepare a stand alone Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Sustainability Appraisal (SA) for Heathrow Airtrack.
Both HIA and SA help to ascertain and report the effects, both positive and negative, of the proposal and will ultimately be valuable additions to the TWA order application process. Post TWA order submission, including Public Inquiry support
A TWA order application is likely to be submitted in early 2009. Temple will support the client team in preparing for and responding to any objections as part of the objection management process and will provide the relevant Public Inquiry support, including expert witnesses, as necessary. Benefits
Temple is able to bring a fresh approach to the project and will bring value to the project and to the client through:
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a strong track record in the planning and delivery of major rail projects, including DLR Dagenham Dock Extension, Thameslink Programme (“Thameslink 2000”), Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), Crossrail and West Coast route modernisation;
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dovetailing effectively with the client team and other appointed consultants, including the engineers;
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offering a committed team of specialists, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields;
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providing strong and effective project management, to deliver the project to time, budget and quality;
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a good understanding of the transport planning system and associated procedures;
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a good understanding of the expectations and priorities of statutory consultees and a good working relationship with the same;
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good local knowledge given our previous involvement in this area;
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a holistic approach to the synthesis of the EIA, HIA and SA elements to provide clear conclusions.
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