PUBLIC INQUIRY IN THE MATTER OF THE HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT 1981 AND IN THE MATTER OF: THE M4 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) TO WEST OF JUNCTION 29 (CASTLETON) AND CONNECTING ROADS) AND THE M48 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) CONNECTING ROAD) AND THE LONDON TO FISHGUARD TRUNK ROAD (EAST OF MAGOR TO CASTLETON)) COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER 201- -and- THE M4 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) TO WEST OF JUNCTION 29 (CASTLETON) AND CONNECTING ROADS) AND THE M48 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) CONNECTING ROAD) SCHEME 201- -and- THE M4 MOTORWAY (WEST OF MAGOR TO EAST OF CASTLETON) AND THE A48 (M) MOTORWAY (WEST OF CASTLETON TO ST MELLONS) (VARIATION OF VARIOUS SCHEMES) SCHEME 201- -and- THE LONDON TO FISHGUARD TRUNK ROAD (EAST OF MAGOR TO CASTLETON) ORDER 201- -and- THE M4 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) TO WEST OF JUNCTION 29 (CASTLETON) AND CONNECTING ROADS) AND THE M48 MOTORWAY (JUNCTION 23 (EAST OF MAGOR) CONNECTING ROAD) AND THE LONDON TO FISHGUARD TRUNK ROAD (EAST OF MAGOR TO CASTLETON) (SIDE ROADS) ORDER 201- ( THE M4 CORRIDOR AROUND NEWPORT ) APPENDIX TO THE PROOF OF EVIDENCE ON THE GWENT LEVELS SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST OF JESSICA POOLE ON BEHALF OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES BODY FOR WALES
Contents 1. Appendix A: PHOTOGRAPHS AND COMMENTARY ON EXAMPLES OF MITIGATION REENS Page 2 of 13
APPENDIX A PHOTOGRAPHS AND COMMENTARY ON EXAMPLES OF MITIGATION REENS This work was undertaken by two NRW officers, Kate Rodgers (Senior Conservation Officer, Rhymney and Ebbw Natural Resource Management Team) and Angela Hunt (Conservation Officer, Usk Natural Resource Management Team). Each has over 10 years experience of work with respect to the Gwent Levels SSSIs NB - the findings documented here are not the result of a full species survey using a grapnel. Rather, they are a rapid basement of the specific, named, section of the drainage network to look for evidence of qualifying and other wetland plant species. The work was undertaken on 17 & 22 August and 13 September 2016 Page 3 of 13
01, 02 - Cors Crycydd Reen, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI 02 01 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of SSSI watercourses due to the Lamby Way expansion. Main River Reen Constructed ~20yrs ago Width - 17m Depth - c2m Reen constructed with meanders/bends/curves i.e. not in straight linear feature to try and recreate the natural variations in habitats The primary function of this reen is flood storage capacity. The extra wide channel has limited submerged vegetation, any present are confined to the margins. The water appears to be too deep to provide suitable habitat to support the range of plants typical of the SSSI. Page 4 of 13
03, 04, 05 - Longcross Reen Diversion, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI 03 04 05 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of SSSI watercourses as part of the Capital Business Park developments. IDD Reen Constructed ~10-15 years ago Width - 4m Depth c50cm Reen constructed with meanders/bends/curves i.e. not a straight linear feature to try and recreate the natural variations in habitats. This replacement reen has been developed over time with different stretches being realigned or cast as developments moved forward. Photo 03 illustrates a wellestablished section over 15 years old that benefits from the adjacent land still being traditionally managed (grazing). The land is allocated within the LDP but whilst the enabling works have been carried out i.e. watercourses have been filled in and replacement lengths cut, the development has yet to be built. Aquatic vegetation is Page 5 of 13
varied here with bur-reed sp (Sparganium spp), lesser water parsnip (Berula erecta), starwort sp (Callitriche sp.), hornwort sp (Ceratophyllum sp), duckweed (Lemna sp.) seen. Evidence of poaching from grazing animals increases habitat availability for invertebrates. Photos 04 and 05 illustrate the position where the mitigation reen is within part of the business park which has been taken forward for development. Note the steeper and straighter banks, width is reduced with less varied aquatic emergent vegetation which is mainly ruderal. These sections are not subject to traditional agricultural management. Page 6 of 13
06 Capital Business Park ditch, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI 06 Compensation for the loss of SSSI watercourses as part of the Capital Business Park developments Constructed ~10yrs ago Width - 3m Depth c50cm Note the monoculture of common reed (Phragmites australis) from the banks into the water channel within this mitigation channel. This is one of the concerns NRW has for the replacement reens for the M4 Scheme. No SSSI independently qualifying or assemblage plant species noted. Page 7 of 13
07 - Newlands reen, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI Compensation reen constructed for the loss of SSSI watercourses as part of the rail freight and Wentlooge Business Park developments IDD reen Constructed ~10yrs ago Width - 2.6m wide Depth c25cm It has steep banks, is uniformly narrow with shallow water depth. The reen is dominated by common reed, with only duckweed spp noted in addition. No SSSI independently qualifying or assemblage plant species were noted. 08, 09 - Sunnybank ditch relocation, Gwent Levels: St. Brides Page 8 of 13
08 09 Constructed 3yrs ago Width - 3.25m Depth - c20cm Note the shallow water, bare banks and the carpet of algae and waterfern (Azolla filiculoides), both indicators of a watercourse in poor condition. Reed sweet grass (Glyceria maxima), reedmace (Typha latifolia) and duckweed spp also noted. No SSSI independently qualifying or assemblage plant species noted. Page 9 of 13
10 - Waundeiladd reen diversion, Gwent Levels: Redwick and Llandevenny SSSI 10 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of reen during the oyster development. Constructed ~8yrs ago Width - 3.60m Depth - c1m Constructed with a berm It is important to note that this reen was constructed utilising an existing field ditch, unlike the others which were all newly cut. The watercourse was established with a known water level. As such typical species were already present and flourished once enhancement works were completed. Species noted duckweed spp, sweet reed grass, fine leaved pondweed sp (Potamogeton sp.), frogbit (Hydrocharis morus-ranae) and reedmace. Adjacent land use is traditional agricultural management (in this case horse and cattle grazing). The land is allocated within the LDP but whilst the enabling works have been carried out i.e. existing watercourses have been re-profiled from field ditch to reen, development has yet to be built. Also of note is the evidence of poaching which increases habitat availability for the invertebrate features of the SSSI. Page 10 of 13
11, 12 New Cut reen, Gwent Levels: Redwick & Llandevenny SSSI 11 12 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of reen during the Wilkinson Depot development. Constructed ~15yrs ago Width 2.55m-3.5m (measured at two locations Depth c. 50 cm This reen has steep banks, with uniform species noted along length primarily consisting of, common reed, sweet reed grass, Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), and duckweed spp The variation in width replicates the situation of the traditional (long standing) reens. Page 11 of 13
13-15 Aldi watercourse, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI 13 14 15 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of watercourses during the Aldi Depot development. First constructed ~10yrs ago, redesigned ~3yr ago Width - 2m Depth - c30cm 10 years ago enabling works for redevelopment of site were undertaken which included filling in watercourses and casting a new ditch around the perimeter of the site. Issues with original design meant that it was not constructed in a way for watercourse to properly function as in it failed to hold and maintain adequate water required to support the SSSI interests the depth of water at this stage was approximately 2cm. Issues also arose as material was translocated of late habitat succession stage, meaning that common reed quickly flourished and outcompeted any other plant species. To attempt to address these issues, the watercourse was re-profiled 3 years ago to correct bed levels in order for the watercourse to better hold water. However levels are still low (approximately 30cm) with barren ground, terrestrial vegetation and no SSSI independently qualifying or assemblage plant species noted. Page 12 of 13
16-17 Walwyn Place Reen, Gwent Levels: Rumney and Peterstone SSSI 16 17 Compensation reen constructed for the loss of watercourse during adjacent housing development. Constructed ~10yrs ago Width - 1.5m Depth - 30cm Choked with terrestrial vegetation and no SSSI independently qualifying or assemblage plant species noted. Page 13 of 13