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NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN
A90 Fraserburgh - Stonehaven / A96 Huntly - Aberdeen
Descriptive summary to be provided by SNH. Zonal prospectus currently under production.
Route biodiversity issues
Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve lies on the southern margin of Aberdeen between the A956 Wellington Road and A90 Stonehaven. It comprises 41ha of scrub, grassland, woodland and pond and is described in the NE Scotland LBAP as 'a significant local community resource with attendant human pressures'. Objectives and targets have been formulated to maintain this site, which could potentially be related to roadside verge management at this location.
Verge management in keeping with the surrounding vegetation (if of interest) can make a valuable contribution. The LBAP Action Plan for Moray Moorlands is an example where local biodiversity will benefit from allowing natural recolonisation of verges after work has been carried out rather than seeding with a species mix which is unlikely to integrate with the surrounding habitat.
The LBAP also has a Species Action Plan for Daubenton's bat which notes that known hibernation sites are in the stonework of bridges and that inappropriate bridge maintenance can potentially destroy roosts and resident bats, which are protected by law.
The aspen hoverfly is a rare species on the UK Biodiversity Short List and is an indicator of forests of national importance. It occurs in only 12 locations in Scotland and is found in large mature aspen woods with adequate dead timber to house and feed the larvae, and sufficient ground vegetation to provide nectar for the adults. Existing aspen stands are reported to have been damaged in the past by road building and other developments (source: NE Scotland LBAP).
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KEY TO TIMESCALES |
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ST2 |
Short Term - Commence within 2 years |
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MT5 |
Medium Term - Commence within 5 years |
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LT15 |
Long Term - Commence within 15 years |
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OG |
Ongoing - Cyclical action |
Source: SNH - Natural Heritage Zones
Ordnance Survey Strategi Data 1997
Licence GD 03135G0001
© Crown Copyright 1999
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Road |
Type of Action |
When |
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ALL |
Identify whether any aspen stands remain near/adjacent to trunk roads, and liaise with experts on how best to contribute to their protection. |
ST2/OG |
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A830 |
Otter culvert - Loch Dubh (church) - add rails to stabilise otter fencing, reform gully on NW side, extend fencing to 35mm on NW side. Bond loose rocks at culvert ends with cement where they are used to recess wire fence. |
ST2 |
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A830 |
Otter culvert - Arnipol - add rails to stabilise otter fencing, remove construction debris, maintain drainage gullies. |
ST2 |
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A96 |
Badger tunnel - SE of Blackburn - monitor, check and repair fencing to ensure badgers are guided to tunnel. Remove rabbit protection netting by new hedge which is limiting access to tunnel. |
ST2 |
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A96 |
Vegetation translocation - Kintore By-Pass - remove beech seedlings, monitor site. ST2/OG |
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A96 |
Otter ledge in culvert - Broonhill roundabout - secure ledges to wall of culvert, tie in fences at Broonhill road end of culvert, extend ditch fence northwards and erect to form effective block to ditch. |
ST2 |
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ALL |
Bats - inspect bridges for roosts prior to work being carried out. |
ST2/OG |
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