Six “nationally rare” insect species are among the 27 “nature conservation concerns” for which a multi-million pound redesign of the intersection of the A47 and A11 is planned.
Plans for the overhaul of the Thickthorn Interchange, which is used by thousands of people every day, were submitted by Highways England in late March.
Thickthorn roundabout, on the edge of Norwich.
– Credit: Highways England
Proposals include a new driveway from the A11 northbound before the Thickthorn roundabout, where motorists will drive under both roads before returning to traffic on the A47 towards Great Yarmouth. The roundabout no longer has to be used.
The changes would also mean a separate left turn for those traveling east on the A47, a new footbridge and a fourth lane in the southern part of the intersection.
Plans for a major overhaul of the Thickthorn Interchange have been submitted
– Credit: Highways England
And documents filed by Highways England found that surveys conducted last year found six species of insects in the area that were classified as nationally rare.
They were among the 27 species of “Conservation Concerns” of 502 that Abrehart Ecology Limited found in a survey commissioned by Highways England.
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The nationally rare species included three beetles. They were the carabid beetle (Omophron limbatum), the hornet ground beetle (Quedius dilatatus) and the throscid beetle (Aulonothroscus brevicollis).
Two throscid beetles (Aulonothroscus brevicollis) were found in the survey.
– Photo credit: Udo Schmidt / Flickr
Two species of rare single wasps have been found. They were the five-banded weevil wasp (Cerceris quinquefasciata), which was listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan because it is so threatened, and the cuckoo wasp (Hedychrum keinelai).
Two five-banded weevils (Cerceris quinquefasciata) were found. They are a priority endangered biodiversity priority action plan.
– Photo credit: Will George / Flickr
A single tachinid fly (Cistogaster globosa) that the survey author, Dr. Ross describes Piper as “a distinctive species that is unlikely to be overlooked and is likely to be really rare” was also found.
A single tachinid fly was recorded in the survey around Thickthorn.
– Credit: Katja Schulz / Flickr
Most of the area is agricultural land, but decaying veteran trees, along with botanically rich grasslands, provide habitats for insects.
Dr. Piper said the most valuable habitats – the ancient and old trees and the grasslands – should be preserved and buffered.
And he advises, “Some areas of more valuable habitat will be lost, but by and large this can be offset by the
Creation of new living spaces.
“The entire length of the proposed new road could be designed with nature in mind to create a belt of valuable habitat through the landscape.”
He said a well-designed and executed program could be “vastly better for wildlife” than the current agricultural landscape.
As previously reported, Highways England will need to obtain a license to relocate voles in the area if the changes are made.
The Planning Inspectorate will conduct an investigation before making any recommendations as to whether the changes should be allowed.
Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps will then decide whether or not to allow it.
Grant Shapps. Image: James Bass
– Photo credit: Eastern Daily Press © 2015
The proposed overhaul is part of a series of changes to the A47 between Great Yarmouth and Peterborough worth £ 300 million.
