There is no doubt that the NWL will  have a major impact on biodiversity. 

With reference an article ‘Biodiversity in Development’ ( SEE HERE) the areas of concern include: 

Loss and disturbance of habitat Most transport projects reduce the area of natural habitat. Temporary losses of habitat occur during construction, and disturbance occurs both during construction and operation. Levels of disturbance resulting from traffic noise tend to be high and escalate with time, discouraging wildlife from heavily disturbed areas (up to 400 m on either side of roads in open habitat with high levels of traffic). 

Pollution may affect air (vehicular emissions, dust), soil (oil leaks) or water (road run-off or sumping). Atmospheric deposition of pollutants and soil contamination cause changes in vegetation along roads.   The NWL will be adjacent to sensitive vegetation, particularly wetlands, and will therefore be exposed to spills or leaks. 

Invasion of alien species is commonly associated with transport corridors, often unintentionally. Weeds disperse along roads parasitic, predatory or destructive organism along waterways. Settlement along transport corridors can result in domestic livestock competing with wildlife, spread of disease, or new crops displacing local varieties. 

Barrier effects occur when species are unable or unwilling to cross a transport route, which impedes gene flow within a population. Roads act as barriers, so bridges, tunnels and wildlife passes are important: for small species with low mobility; on known migration routes; or along access paths to feeding areas, watering holes or breeding sites.

Habitat fragmentation and isolation occurs when natural habitats are separated, grow smaller and become surrounded by an inhospitable landscape. In general, large continuous blocks contain more undisturbed habitat, and support more species, when compare with an equivalent area of fragmented habitat blocks. Fragmented habitats have proportionally more edges exposed to disturbance, pollution and invasion by alien species. 

NCC will talk about achieving a net bio-diversity and of its intention to implement mitigation measures to reduce the impact of construction and the road on the surrounding environment.  It is clear from the above summary of probable impact that the rhetoric is unlikely to reflect the reality of the situation.   Once disturbed the environment will inevitably result in permanent and irreplaceable  destruction. 

Is this price worth paying when there are other options that could avoid this meaningless loss of habitat.   

Please support the opposition of the NWL by signing and sharing our petition: http://chng.it/CrHBrT9n