The proposed major changes to increase the size of Manchester Piccadilly High Speed Station will bring it closer to the Aston Canal, with the Main Construction Compound extending right up to the Ashton Canal, and road closures and works in the surrounding area further affecting the Ashton Canal and the Rochdale Canal.

The consultation also acknowledges (at 2.75) that:

• During the operation of the railway, it is likely that both options would have an impact on habitats within and around the Rochdale and Ashton Canals. Work will continue to minimise these impacts via design development and the inclusion of suitable mitigation.

There will also be impacts on the users of the canal during construction and operation. Although this is an urban area where a greater level of background noise is expected, any major increase due for example to pile driving or overnight construction works would impact on canal users generally, and in particular on the popular overnight moorings on the closest sections of both these canals.

Mitigation

The Main Compound adjoining the Ashton Canal off Store Street should have substantial noise fencing to protect canal users and the canal’s habitat. Other measures to limit construction and operational noise impacts on areas around the station should recognise canal users as ‘receptors’ in all noise assessments.