Was an environmental impact assessment carried out as part of the improvements made to the A55 / A494 / A548 Deeside Corridor?
During the Key Stage 2 process which led to the Preferred Route Announcement, an Environmental Appraisal Report informed the WelTAG Stage 2 process. The appraisal also provided the information for the Appraisal Summary Tables description in the Public Consultation document. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening Report was prepared for each route, to inform the need for statutory EIA, which was confirmed. A Screening Stage Assessment of the Implications for European Sites under the Habitats Directive (HD) was also carried out.
Following the preferred route announcement, we are progressing to the next stage of design development where we will firstly be procuring an employer's agent, who will assist and provide technical and project management advice to us.
The Key Stage 3 design development stage would include the ECI Contractor carrying out various environmental and engineering surveys to inform the preparation of an Environmental Statement under the EIA Directive, a Statement to Inform an Appropriate Assessment under the HD, and draft Orders under the Highways Act 1980.
The scheme would then move through the statutory process where the draft Orders and Statements would be published and open to comments and objections from all stakeholders.