ROADEX II

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Last update 30/05/2007

Task 2_7:- “Environmental guidelines”

Lead Contact

Ron Munro, The Highland Council Transport, Environmental & Community Services

Objective

The goal for the ROADEX II Phase 2:7 was to produce a guide to working environmentally as correct as possible on a road site. The idea was to produce a leaflet, pocket size, with advice and recommendations. Such a leaflet cannot, if it is meant for use, be very extensive. Thus this report gives a deeper view of the topics.

Outputs

One report

The first part of this report consists of an overview of how work is done in the participating countries. It gives a description of when and what level, in such cases, an environmental assessment must be done. The result was that all countries have a similar approach, at least in a general way. In the details there are differences due to basic laws, climate, geology and population.

As environmental assessments and protected nature areas are interconnected, a summary of the different levels of protection in the countries has been done. The highest level is Nature Reserves in Finland, which normally have restricted entry. In Norway, Scotland and Sweden the highest level is National parks. Sweden, Scotland and Finland also have Natura 2000 sites with a high level of protection. As this is a European Union network, Norway is not a part.

It may be difficult to meet all the requirements in every situation. However, assessments must also be made here from economic, social and other perspectives. The budget framework is often fairly tight, particularly on a road network carrying low traffic intensity, which is usually the case in the Northern Periphery, and there is therefore fairly limited scope for additional measures.

The second part of the report consists of advice and recommendations on environmentally sound practices on roadwork sites. It concentrates most on work on existing roads. The topics are Waste, Noise and vibrations, Dust and exhaust gases, Contaminated soil, Natural environment and Water and wetlands.

A conclusion of the report is that money can be saved through these measures. Sensibly organized routines and proper use of resources will lead to less material being needed. The risk of unpleasant surprises, such as worksite cleanups and legal action due to environmental damage, will be reduced. Machinery and equipment will function more efficiently, and this ultimately saves money.

The report is aimed at giving an overview of how the project partners deal with environmental matters in road building, and to give advice on how good environmental management can be assured in road building. The report is based on contacts with the various road authorities concerned, and also a number of reports.

A small checklist for use on site accompanies the report. This guideline is a brief compilation of various items of advice that have been developed in part 2 of this report and is intended for various persons to have on site.

Links

Acknowledgments

The report, and the accompanying leaflet, was designated from an idea from Timo Saarenketo and Ron Munro of the Roadex II Road Condition Working Team, and Frank McCullough of the Forest Enterprise.

The author would like to thank Ron Munro, Richard Evans, David Law, Andy Leitch, Ken Sinclair and Frank McCullough from Scotland, Geir Berntsen from Norway, Timo Saarenketo, Anders HH Jansson and Kent Middleton from Finland, Gunbritt Mariedahl and Jenny Thun from Sweden for all the help needed to get this report completed. Johan Ullberg of the Swedish Road Administration, Northern Region, wrote the report.

Finally the author would like to acknowledge the Roadex II Steering Committee for its encouragement and valuable guidance in this work