Journal of Environmental Management (1990) 31, 261--267 The Effect of Motorway Development on Adjacent Woodland W. R. Sheate* and R. M. Taylor School of Geography, Kingston Polytechnic, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, U.K.. Received 16 April 1989 The assessment of long-term potential environmental impacts upon adjacent habitats resulting from motorway development is an essential element in the planning and decision-making process. It is also an important tool in helping to reduce conflict between developers and conservationists. With increasing pressure on high quality woodlands brought about by new transport infrastructure, as full as possible an understanding of the likely effects is essential if these sites are not to be damaged irreparably. Small woodlands appear more susceptible to physical impacts, whereas qualitative changes assume more importance for larger woodlands. A systems approach enables the major impacts to be identified, and in so doing broadens the scope and efficacy of environmental impact assessment. Keywords: ecology, conservation, woodland processes, aerodynamics, hydrology, biogeography, environmental impact assessment, planning, motorways, transport, pollution, nuisance, woodland ecology. 1. Introduction Consideration of the environmental implications of major road developments usually occurs only in the relative short-term, for example, in the production of an environmen- tal impact assessment for a public inquiry, or at the point of construction where environmental amelioration work is required. Rarely is consideration given to the long- term environmental impact on biotic communities after the road has entered operation. By this stage, it is often thought that most of the damage will have been done, e.g. visual intrusion into the landscape, loss of habitat etc. However, it seems unlikely that such a major development as a motorway would cease to have an impact upon the surrounding habitats once it has been completed. This is especially true as far as effects upon human activity are concerned, since noise, in particular, and automotive exhaust pollution, are recognized as continuing problems for nearby residents. The long-term effects on natural or semi-natural communities adjacent to a motorway are unlikely to be so blatant as simple visual intrusion or loss of land. The *Present address." Council for the Protection of Rural England, Warwick House, 25 BuckinghamPalace Road, London, SWlW 0PP, U.K. 261 0301-4797/90/070261 + 7 $03.00/0 9 1990 Academic Press Limited