Mitigating the Effects of Road Construction on Sites of High Ecological Interest (TRL 375)

This report describes a study which examined measures provided for the mitigation of adverse ecological effects of road construction on designated sites and protected species, and determined the extent of their success.

In particular, the design and management of such measures was examined.

This report describes each of the fourteen case study sites in terms of its ecological interest, the extent of the impact of road construction on the sites, the mitigation measures taken, and the success of these mitigation measures.

Of the fourteen schemes studied, possibly only three could be regarded as successful.

Of the remainder, most could be considered partially successful, or their success is uncertain at the present time, and three could be regarded as failures.

The main reasons for failure were inadequate management of the implementation of the scheme or inadequate post-implementation management.