mersey gateway bridge project · mersey gateway bridge noise and vibration monitoring plan 5...

MERSEY GATEWAY

BRIDGE PROJECT

NOISE AND VIBRATION

MANAGEMENT PLAN

REF: MER-DJV-REP-ENV-00-331003

REVISION NO. 03

SPV – MERSEYLINK CJV – SAMSUNG, FCC & KIER

Mersey Gateway Bridge Noise and Vibration Management Plan Final Report

MER-DJV-REP-ENV-00-331003 March 2014

Mersey Gateway Bridge

Noise and Vibration Monitoring Plan Version 3 MER-DJV-REP-ENV-00-331003 Status F

March 2014 i

Document Control Sheet

Rev. Status Date By Check Approved

0 1st Draft 09/08/13

Alexandra Clarke

Tamara Percy

Dan Atkinson

Sarah Edgar

1 Final 16/09/13 Dan

Atkinson Tamara Percy

Sarah Edgar

2 Final 26/09/13 Dan

Atkinson Tamara Percy

Sarah Edgar

3 Final (removal of trigger levels,

as requested by EHO) 13/03/14

Dan Atkinson

Mark Hampton

Tamara Percy

URS Royal Court Basil Close Chesterfield S41 7SL

Merseylink Design Joint Venture (the DJV) (comprising Flint & Neill Ltd, URS Infrastructure & Environment UK Limited, Eptisa and Fhecor ) has prepared this Report for the sole use of Merseylink Civil Contractors JV (“Client”) in accordance with the Agreement under which our services were performed. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this Report or any other services provided by the DJV. This Report is confidential and may not be disclosed by the Client nor relied upon by any other party without the prior and express written agreement of the DJV.

The conclusions and recommendations contained in this Report are based upon information provided by others and upon the assumption that all relevant information has been provided by those parties from whom it has been requested and that such information is accurate. Information obtained by the DJV has not been independently verified by the DJV, unless otherwise stated in the Report.

The methodology adopted and the sources of information used by the DJV in providing its services are outlined in this Report. The work described in this Report is based on the conditions encountered and the information available during the period when the report was compiled. The scope of this Report and the services are accordingly factually limited by these circumstances.

Where assessments of works or costs identified in this Report are made, such assessments are based upon the information available at the time and where appropriate are subject to further investigations or information which may become available.

The DJV disclaim any undertaking or obligation to advise any person of any change in any matter affecting the Report, which may come or be brought to the DJV attention after the date of the Report.

Certain statements made in the Report that are not historical facts may constitute estimates, projections or other forward-looking statements and even though they are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of the Report, such forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted. The DJV specifically does not guarantee or warrant any estimate or projections contained in this Report.

Copyright

© This Report is the copyright of the DJV. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly prohibited


Noise and Vibration monitoring plan Version 3 MER-DJV-REPORT-ENV-331003 Status F

March 2014 ii

Contents 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1

1.1 The Mersey Gateway Project ............................................................................... 1

1.2 Purpose of this document ..................................................................................... 2

1.3 Structure of this NVMP ......................................................................................... 2

2 BASELINE: SUMMARY OF EFFECTS ................................................................. 2

3 MITIGATION STRATEGY .................................................................................... 5

3.2 Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 ....................................................................... 8

3.3 Noise barriers ....................................................................................................... 8

4 NOISE MONITORING .......................................................................................... 9

4.1 Pre-construction Phase Monitoring ....................................................................... 9

4.2 Construction Phase Monitoring ........................................................................... 11

5 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 12

Figures

Figure 1: Noise and Vibration Management Plan Proposed Ambient Noise Monitoring Locations.

Fencing Sheet 6 of 12: MER-DJV-DRA-HWY-00-210306





Noise and Vibration Monitoring Plan 1 Version 3 MER-DJV-REP-ENV-00-331003 Status F

March 2014

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1.1 This Noise and Vibration Management Plan (NVMP) has been produced to provide

details of all Noise and Vibration Mitigation and Monitoring required for the Mersey

Gateway Project. The requirements for this mitigation were identified in the Further

Applications Environmental Statement (Gifford, 2011), and then collated in the

Construction and Operation code of Practice for Environmental management (COPE,

2011, B4027D/COPE/R01). At present this is a dynamic document which will be updated

as pre-construction reports become available.

1.1 The Mersey Gateway Project

1.1.2 Halton Borough Council (the “Council”) is promoting a new road crossing of the Mersey

Estuary (the “Estuary”) in the Borough of Halton (the “Borough”) and associated works to

incorporate the new road crossing into the existing road network and to make changes to

that network. Collectively the works required are known as the Mersey Gateway Project

(hereafter referred to as the “Project”).

1.1.3 The Project will provide effective road connections to the Liverpool City area from north

Cheshire in the south, thereby providing connectivity for the sub-region and addressing

existing congestion in the Borough. The new road capacity will rebalance the

transportation infrastructure within Halton towards delivering local sustainable transport

and economic goals.

1.1.4 The Project’s scope includes the following:

1. The delivery of a new road crossing of the River in Halton, known as the Mersey

Gateway Bridge (referred to as the “New Bridge” throughout this plan);

2. Incorporation of the New Bridge in the existing highway network. These works are

referred to as the Remote Highway Works;

3. Modification and de-linking of the Silver Jubilee Bridge (SJB) (excluding the asset

management of the SJB works);

4. Integration of the revised networks with public transport, cycle and pedestrian

links across Halton;



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5. Integration with the surrounding environment through landscaping adjacent to the

New Bridge and SJB;

6. Implementation of tolling and development of associated infrastructure; and

7. Letting a Concession Contract for the construction, operation and maintenance of

the Project.

1.2 Purpose of this document

1.2.1 This document describes the processes, methodologies and behaviours that the project

team will follow in order to mitigate and minimise the effect of its operations.

1.2.2 This plan includes best practice on the control and management on noise and vibration

including suggested hours of working for certain activities in certain areas to manage and

mitigate adverse effects of the Project including proposals on sensitive receptors.

1.3 Structure of this NVMP

1.3.1 The NVMP is structured as follows:

• Section 2: provides a brief overview of the potentially significant noise and

vibration effects for the scheme;

• Section 3: sets out the mitigation strategy;

• Section 4: addresses the monitoring strategy for the scheme;

• Section 5: references

2 BASELINE: SUMMARY OF EFFECTS

2.1.1 This section presents a summary of the potentially significant noise and vibration effects,

predicted for the scheme.

2.1.2 Table 2.1 presents the potential effects for both the construction and operational phases

of the scheme



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Table 2.1- Summary of potentially significant Noise and Vibration Effects

Project Phase Effect Receptor and importance

Nature of effect

Construction General Construction activities

Dwellings – High importance

Temporary effect for project duration. Approx. 1,200 dwellings within 100m.

Noise from general construction activities including canal bridge

Area 1 – St Helens Canal – Medium importance

Temporary increase in noise, up to 6 months

Noise from minor construction activities

Area 2 – SJB northern approach, Dwellings – High importance

Noise from bridge construction activities

Area 6 – Wigg Island – High importance

Temporary increase in noise, up to 27 months.

Noise from viaduct construction activities

Area 6 – Manchester Ship Canal – Medium importance

Temporary increase in noise, up to 9 months.

Area 7- Astmoor industrial estate – Low importance


Noise from general construction activities

Area 8 – Bridgewater Canal – medium importance


Area 8 – residential areas near Bridgewater Junction – high importance


Noise from construction and highway alignment modifications

Area 9 – residential areas adjacent to the Central expressway – high importance

Temporary increase in noise, 12 months

Noise from construction of distributor roads and bridge

Area 9 – residential areas adjacent to Lodge Lane Junction


Noise from minor construction activities

West Bank Primary School – High importance


Noise from construction of distributor roads and bridge

Woodside Primary School –high importance




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Project Phase Effect Receptor and importance

Nature of effect

Operational Overview Noise from operation of the road

Residential areas – high importance

Permanent decrease in number of people affected by noise.

Overview – Vibration from operation of the road

Residential areas – high importance

Permanent –slight increase in number bothered.

Road Traffic noise Area 1 – industrial and commercial areas – Negligible importance

Permanent – slight increase

Area 1 – St Helens Canal – medium importance

Permanent increase in noise levels

Area 2 – Residential areas adjacent to northern approach to SJB – High importance

Permanent decrease in noise levels

Area 3 – SPA- high importance

Area 4 – residential areas adjacent to the southern approach of SJB – high importance

Area 5 – residential areas adjacent to the Weston Point Expressway – high importance

Area 6 – Wigg Island – very high importance

Permanent – increase in noise levels

Area 6 – Manchester Ship canal – medium importance

Area 7- Astmoor industrial estate – low importance

Area 8 – residential areas adjacent to Bridgewater Junction

Area 8 – Bridgewater canal – medium importance

Area 9 – residential areas adjacent to the central expressway

Area 10 – residential areas adjacent to the Weston link to M56

Permanent – slight increase in noise levels

Cavendish school – high importance

Permanent – slight decrease in noise levels

Hallwood Park Primary School – high importance

West Bank Primary School – high importance

Permanent decrease in noise levels of about 6dB

Weston Point community school – high importance

Permanent decrease in noise levels of about 6 dB

Woodside Primary school – high importance

Permanent increase in noise levels of about 9 dB



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3 MITIGATION STRATEGY

3.1.1 Noise levels generated by construction activities are regulated by guidelines and subject

to local authority control.

3.1.2 An informal agreement will be reached with the LPA on the methodology for construction

baseline monitoring and compliance monitoring. This agreement will detail a noise and

vibration control regime for construction works prior to construction commencing.

3.1.7 The existing ambient noise levels at receptor locations are yet to be determined, however

suitable representative locations have been proposed within this document. Details of

pre-construction monitoring are included in section 4.

3.1.8 To keep construction noise to a minimum the contractor will follow good practice

including noise management mitigation measures, and the implementation of best

practicable means to minimise any impacts.

3.1.9 Potential effects from the scheme and Mitigation measures for these are outlined in

Tables 3.2 below for construction and 3.3 for operation.

Table 3.2 Noise mitigation – Construction Phase

Project Phase Effect Cause of Effect Mitigation/Management option

Construction

Impact on local

residents/occupiers

adjacent to works

Noise

disruption/annoyance.

Contractor to appoint a community liaison offer

with a publicised contact telephone number.

Noisy tasks being

undertaken.

Occupiers/residents to be given advance notice,

in writing, explaining the reasons for the works,

the expected time and duration of works, and

the procedures to be adopted for minimising the

noise or vibration.

Where work has to be undertaken during

evening or night-time periods the contractor

would advise and consult with the

Environmental Health Officers (EHO) of the

council in accordance with an agreed

procedure.



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Excessive noise from ill

maintained/inefficient

machinery.

All plant and equipment associated with the

construction works should be properly

maintained, provided with effective silencers

and operated in such a manner as to avoid

causing excessive noise emission. Where plant

has been designed to operate with engine

covers to reduce noise, these should be used

and remain closed while the plant is in

operation. Unless otherwise direction by senior

construction management, items of plant in

intermittent use should be shut down during idle

periods.

Noise from static

machinery

Static plant to be located in areas as far from

inhabited buildings as possible and should be

screened where practicable. Plant known to

emit noise predominantly in one direction

should, where possible, be screened or

orientated so that noise is directed away from

noise sensitive areas.

General site noise No music or radios should be played on site.

Noise from operational

site vehicles.

Audible warning systems, such as vehicle

reversing sirens, would normally be set to as

low a setting as is compatible with safety

requirements. Where appropriate, broadband

warning systems would be used.

Noise from site

compounds.

Site compounds to be located as far as possible

from local occupied premises and site buildings

should be situated to provide additional

screening between the works and other

occupied premises. Utilisation of site materials,

soil or spoil to create screening stockpiles

providing these do not create hazard in terms of



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dust etc.

Impacts on

residents/occupiers

along transport

routes

Noise from site/delivery

vehicles etc.

The transport of materials on or off site by road

should generally take place during the normal

daytime working period and where possible

should also be routed away from particularly

sensitive receivers.

Impact on

neighbouring

community

Inconsiderate

construction

Site personnel to be informed about need to

minimise noise to the neighbouring community

as well as about health hazards of exposure to

excessive noise or vibration. Training to include

advice relating to proper use and maintenance

of tools and equipment, the positioning of

machinery on site to reduce noise emissions to

neighbouring communities, and the avoidance

of unnecessary noise when carrying out manual

operations when operating plant and equipment.

Table 3.3: Operational phase

Project Phase Effect Cause of Effect Mitigation/Management

Option

Operational Impact on local

residents/occupiers adjacent

to works

Noise from operation of

the road

Roadside Noise barriers

Vibration from operation of

the road

3.1.10 Noise will be controlled through restriction on working hours and/or restriction on

processes allowed in certain areas during construction. Night time working will be kept to



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a minimum. Normal working hours will be 0700 until 1900hrs, Monday to Friday and 0700

until 1300hrs on Saturdays. However, there may be occasions where night working is

unavoidable, such as works to the railway in Widnes.

3.1.11 Programming of noisy works near to schools will be undertaken where possible within the

school holiday period. The closest identified schools to the proposed scheme are

identified within Figure 1. It should be noted that West Bank Primary School is located

on the far side of West Bank to any proposed works. Given the acoustic screening

afforded by residential buildings on West Bank, this location is not considered to be at

risk from high levels of construction noise.

3.1.12 The above mitigation strategies are for general guidance only. More detailed verification

of noise levels will be undertaken for specific construction activities when specific plant

and working methods are known or when required by the local authority.

3.2 Noise Insulation Regulations 1975

3.2.1 Within the Noise Insulation Regulations 1975 (NIR) there is the power to offer noise

insulation to residential properties where the construction works “ are expected to cause

noise at a level, which in the opinion of the highway authority, seriously affects or will

seriously affect for a substantial period of time the enjoyment of an eligible building

adjacent to the site”. Levels defining ‘seriously affected’ or ‘substantial period of time’ are

not given in the regulations but are commonly defined as 75 dB LAeq, 12h for 10

consecutive days. It is accepted that these criteria would be used with this project. If

properties are found to be eligible for noise insulation as a result of operational noise,

every effort would be made to bring forward such treatment so that it would assist in

mitigating noise from the construction phase.

3.3 Noise barriers

3.3.1 Construction

3.3.2 Once baseline representative noise level data has been gathered, target construction

noise limits can be derived. Once this has been undertaken, a review of potential

mitigation measures can be undertaken to mitigate construction noise levels, where

required.

3.3.3 Operation



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3.3.4 Noise barriers will be erected in areas as detailed within the Environmental Statement for

the scheme (see Fencing Drawings Sheet 6, 7, 8 and 9 (MER-DJV-DRA-HWY-00-

210306 to 210309). These barriers will mitigate the effects of road traffic noise to

sensitive receptors. Under the Noise Insulation (Amendment) Regulations 1988

(Statutory Instrument No. 2000) noise insulation shall be provided to those properties

which are defined under the regulations as being ‘seriously affected for a substantial

period of time’.

3.3.5 There are 3 areas for which roadside noise barriers are proposed. These are;

• Area 8 – Residential areas adjacent to Bridgewater Junction

• Area 9 – Residential areas adjacent to the Central Expressway

• Woodside Primary School

3.3.6 For illustrative purposes and for the Reference Design, barriers of 2.4 metres height have

been proposed in areas where the road is at ground level. Where carriageways are

elevated the barrier height has been reduced to 1.2 metres as the ground elevation of the

barrier site provides an additional screening effect.

3.3.7 Final dimensions, materials and locations of noise barriers will be confirmed during

detailed design for the scheme, as part of the Fencing design package.

4 NOISE MONITORING

4.1 Pre-construction Phase Monitoring

4.1.1 It is proposed that pre-construction baseline noise monitoring is undertaken at a range of

noise sensitive locations, selected to be representative of the closest areas of residential

housing to the scheme. The proposed noise monitoring locations are shown graphically

within Figure 1, and summarised below in Table 4.1.



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Table 4.1 Proposed Pre-Construction Noise Monitoring Locations

Proposed Monitoring Location Number (from Figure 1)

Location details

1 Terrace Road – representative of the closest residential receptors to the proposed bridge

works

2 Catherine Street – representative of the closest residential receptors to the north of the main

alignment

3 Brookfield Avenue – representative of the closest residential receptors to the Bridgewater

Junction

4 Calvers – representative of a range of residential receptors to the east of the main scheme

alignment

5 Littlegate – representative of a range of residential receptors to the west of the main scheme

alignment

6 Cotton Lane – representative of a range of residential receptors to the west of the main

scheme alignment

7 Tawny Court – representative of a range of residential receptors to the east of the main

scheme alignment

8 Fenwick Lane – representative of a range of residential receptors to the west of the main

scheme alignment

9 Betchworth Crescent – representative of a group of residential receptors located to the south of

the Lodge Lane Junction

10 Millersdale Grove – representative of a range of residential receptors to the east of the main

scheme alignment

11 Martindale Grove – representative of a range of residential receptors to the north of the main

scheme alignment

4.1.2 The above locations may be used for baseline noise monitoring, where it is feasible to

get landowners permission to leave noise monitoring equipment, and it is suitably secure.

It is proposed that noise monitoring would be undertaken continuously over 24 hour

periods, to include a weekend, and at least two days during the midweek.

4.1.3 Where access is not feasible, suitable alternative representative locations may be

chosen. If these do not exist, manned monitoring over shorter periods would be

undertaken, as a last resort.

4.1.4 All monitoring shall be carried out by competent personnel and will be in accordance with

the guidance given in BS 5228. Noise monitoring can either be carried out at the noise

sensitive receiver location or in some circumstances can be carried out on the



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construction site boundary with suitable corrections to enable calculation of noise levels

at the required receptor location.

4.1.5 Vibration during most construction activities is not expected to cause major effects. The

proposed Continuous Flight Auger [CFA] piling technique that will be used in areas near

to residential receptors gives rise to minimal levels of ground borne vibration. Historical

data given within British Standard 5228 suggests that at distances beyond 20 metres

from piling using CFA techniques the level of ground borne vibration is imperceptible to

people. As there are no receptors closer than 20 metres to areas where CFA piling is

proposed, it is expected that there will be no impacts resulting from this piling technique.

4.2 Construction Phase Monitoring

4.2.1 Monitoring will be undertaken during construction in order to check noise and vibration

levels from construction activities. The methodology will be agreed in consultation with

the planning authority.

4.2.2 The regime for noise and vibration monitoring will be formulated as part of the agreement

with the Council. This will consider where activities will be undertaken that may give rise

to ground borne vibration, and identify the closest sensitive receptors where vibration

monitoring may be undertaken. Consideration of the types of activities, duration of

works, and number of potential receptors affected will be used to formulate where noise

monitoring will be undertaken, how frequently and for what duration. It is expected that

liaison will be undertaken with the Local Authority prior to the start of the works in

December 2013 to get agreement on the monitoring regime.



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5 REFERENCES

BS 5228:2009: Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open

sites, Part 1: Noise and Part 2: Vibration

Construction and Operation code of Practice for Environmental management (COPE,

B4027D/COPE/R01), URS, 2013

Noise insulation Regulations 1975, as amended in 1988

The Mersey Gateway Project, Further Applications Environmental Statement, Gifford,

2011

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