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A470 Dolwyddelan
to Pont-yr-Afanc Road Improvement scheme |
83.7% |
Project Team: Transport Wales, Welsh Assembly Government;
Halcrow Group Ltd; WynThomasGordonLewis Ltd; Laing O'Rourke
Civil Engineering Ltd and Arup.
The project
The A470 Dolwyddelan to Pont-yr-Afanc Improvement of
7.2km (4.5miles) lies to the south of Betws-y-Coed.
The project was an online widening of the existing single
carriageway which is part of the main trunk road between
Cardiff and Llandudno.
The critical parts of the A470 construction programme
were the steep and wooded valley sides of the nationally
designated Snowdonia National Park and mitigating the
environmental impact. The successful completion of the
improvement has therefore been a major achievement.
Crucial to this success has been the careful design
and programming, innovation in construction, diligent
application of the Environmental and Quality Management
Systems, and the establishment of good relationships
between the project partners, the local community and
statutory bodies. It enabled the scheme to be substantially
completed 5 months ahead of programme despite the environmental
constraints, weather conditions and challenging terrain.
The A470 was scored by CEEQUAL for a 'Whole Project
Award' which assesses the combined environmental performance
of the Client, Designer and Contractor and achieved
an 'Excellent' award. Some examples of the environmental
issues covered during the assessment are given below.
Landscape Issues
Careful consideration was given to the effects of the
scheme on the landscape of the area and its location
within the Snowdonia National Park. Concrete walls were
faced with local masonry stone and incorporated refuges
for reptiles, bats and birds.
Agricultural and woodland soils stripped from the site
area have been stockpiled separately and re-used in
the areas of origin to retain the indigenous seed source.
Similarly, new planting areas only use indigenous plant
species from local provenance seed.
Archaeology
Archaeological surveys were undertaken prior to the
works commencing on site. There are twenty archaeological
sites throughout the scheme with the main areas of interest
being the listed structures at Pont Gethin and Pont
ar Lledr. The design and construction of the improved
road in the vicinity of listed structures was undertaken
in consultation with Cadw (the historic environment
agency within the Welsh Assembly Government). During
construction, watching briefs were carried out on site
by Gwynedd Archaeological Trust.
Ecology and Biodiversity
The Lledr Valley is important for a large number of
protected species and habitats including bats, otters
and the Fairy Glen Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The completed scheme incorporates features to ensure
the favourable conservation status of these species.
They include an artificial bat hibernacula for Lesser
Horseshoe bats, refuges in the walls to provide opportunities
for reptiles, birds and bats to nest/roost, and dry
culverts and ledges to enable otters to pass safely
beneath the road.
Waste Management
Reducing the production of waste throughout the construction
phase was fundamental. 33,000 tonnes of recycled aggregate
was utilised. Waste from adjacent quarries was processed
and used throughout the works. Stone from existing walls
was salvaged and reused. Other facing masonry was won
from waste stone at local quarries in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Where it was necessary to remove existing pavement material
this was removed and reused within the lower sub-base
of the new road.
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