Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located in an urbanised area along the M8, east of Renfrew in Renfrewshire. Braehead Shopping Centre is located north of the scheme extents, and industrial businesses and offices located to the east, south and west. The town of Renfrew is located approximately 231m west of the scheme extents.

There are no residential properties located within 200m of the scheme extents. Sensitive air quality receptors include Ross Hall Clinic Braehead located approximately 89m west of the scheme extents and Premier Inn Glasgow Braehead located approximately 200m southeast of the works area.

Baseline air quality is predominantly influenced by traffic travelling along the M8. Manual count point 77045 located within the scheme extents, indicated that in 2023, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 14,537 with 220 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs). 

Although Renfrewshire Council have declared three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), all are situated beyond 200m of the scheme extents. This includes the following AQMAs:

  • Johnstone High Street AQMA located approximately 1.4km west of the scheme extents is declared for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
  • Paisley AQMA located 2.6km southeast of the scheme extents is declared for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and amended Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Particulate Matter PM10.
  • Renfrew Town Centre AQMA located approximately 6km northeast of the scheme extents is declared for Nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) within 1km of the scheme extents. Additionally, there are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations located within 200m of the scheme extents.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmaps to identify cultural heritage assets within the vicinity of the scheme. A study area of 300m has been used for designated cultural heritage assets, and an area of 200m for non-designated cultural heritage assets.

The assessment found no designated sites within 300m of the scheme extents. However, non-designated cultural heritage assets within 200m are detailed in Table 1.

Table 1: Non-designated cultural heritage assets
NAME REFERENCE NUMBER DESCRIPTION DISTANCE FROM SCHEME
Glasgow, Old Renfrew Road 92688 Canmore - Road Bridge (Period Unassigned) Approx. 100m west
Blacklands 92680 Canmore - Farmstead (Period Unassigned) Approx. 113m west
Glasgow, Shieldhall, Old Renfrew Road 207588 Canmore - Barrage Balloon Site (Second World War) Approx. 98m northeast
Glasgow, Hillington 359919 Canmore - Barrage Balloon Site (Second World War) Approx. 153m south

As works are like-for-like structural inlays within the existing carriageway boundary, there will be no temporary or permanent impacts on any cultural heritage assets identified or on potential unknown archaeological remains and therefore cultural heritage has been scoped out of further assessment.

Landscape and visual effects

The off and on slips are bordered by mature deciduous trees, these trees are sparsely located in some areas, particularly at the on slip start and off slip end. 

There are no open spaces surrounding the scheme extents, with Braehead Shopping Centre located north of the scheme extents, and industrial businesses and offices located to the east, south and west. The town of Renfrew is located approximately 231m west of the scheme extents. The wider area is also dominated by built-up land with the River Clyde located 456m north of the works area.

According to Scotland’s Environment Web, there are no Ancient Woodlands, National Scenic Areas, Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or any Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 500m of the scheme extents.

A search on Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map has highlighted that the LCT within the scheme extents can be categorised as ‘0 – Urban’.

Due to vegetation cover, the only sensitive receptors that will have views of the works are Ross Hall Clinic Braehead located approximately 89m west of the scheme extents and Premier Inn Glasgow Braehead located approximately 200m southeast of the works area. No residential properties or recreational areas will have views of the works.

Biodiversity

A desktop study using NatureScot’s Sitelink online research tool has not highlighted any European designated sites that have connectivity or lie within 2km of the scheme extents. There are also no national designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), within 200m of the scheme extents.

According to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas, there are no protected species recorded within 500m of the scheme extents. The following Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and target species were identified within 500m, however, all of which were out with the scheme extents:

  • Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) – INNS
  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) – Target species
  • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) – Target Species
  • Himalayan cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii) - INNS
  • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) – INNS
  • Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) – INNS
  • Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) – INNS
  • Broad leafed dock (Rumex obtusifolius) – Target species

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has identified common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) along the verge the of the scheme extents.

The scheme and the surrounding habitat have been reviewed by a senior ecologist utilising desktop resource. As a result, the need for a field survey was scoped out due to the nature of the works and due to the fact that all works will be restricted to the existing carriageway boundary.

Geology and soils

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites or any Geological SSSIs that have connectivity or are within 200m of the scheme extents as noted by NatureScot’s Sitelink.

There is no soil data available within the scheme extents according to Scotland’s Soils Map, this is likely due to the scheme location’s urbanised, built-up nature. The national land capability for agriculture within the scheme extents can be categorised a ‘888’ urban.

A search on Britain’s Geology Viewer has highlighted that the geology along the M8 within the scheme extents consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

  • Lower Limestone Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 330.9 and 328 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.
  • Limestone Coal Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 329 and 328 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.

Superficial Deposits

  • River Terrace Deposits - Gravel, sand and silt. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
  • Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.

As the works will be restricted to the existing carriageway boundary and previously engineered layers, it has been determined that the proposed project does not carry the potential to cause direct or indirect impact to geology or soils. As such, impact has been assessed as being ‘no change’ and has been scoped out of requiring further assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed scheme does not require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as the total value is under £350,000.

Tables 2 and 3 below outline the materials required for the scheme and waste expected to be produced during the works.

Key Materials Required for Activities

Materials required

  • TS2010 surface course
  • AC20 bituminous binder
  • AC32 bituminous base
  • Fuel
  • White lining
  • New aluminium road studs

Sources

  • Materials will comprise mostly of virgin aggregate, however, some material that is being removed will be recycled on site and then reused, therefore, a small percentage of material is recycled in situ.
  • TS2010 Surface Course allows a wider array of aggregate sources to be considered when compared to typical Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). As a result, the use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources.
  • Fuel will be derived from finite/virgin sources

Key waste arising from construction

Waste produce

  • Asphalt planings
  • Old road studs

Disposal

  •  Uncontaminated road planings generated as a result of the required works, will be fully recycled in accordance with the criteria stipulated within the SEPA document ‘Guidance on the Production of Fully Recoverable Asphalt Road Planings.
  • Old road studs will be recycled and reused as far as reasonable practicable.

Tar bound materials were not identified during the investigation coring.

Noise and vibration

There are approximately 15 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest located 230m west on Braille Crescent. Other sensitive noise and vibration receptors include the following:

    • Ross Hall Clinic Braehead located approximately 89m west of the scheme extents.
    • Premier Inn Glasgow Braehead located approximately 200m southeast of the works area.
    • Harmony Row Youth Club located approximately 300m southeast of the scheme extents.

Baseline noise and vibrations levels are primarily influenced by traffic along the M8. Scotland’s Noise Map has recorded that the noise level (Lday) within the scheme extents during daytime hours ranges from approximately 64dB to 72dB. During nighttime hours, the noise level (Lngt) has been recorded to range between 53dB to 65dB.

The volume of traffic flow along the M8 is evident from manual count point 77045 located within the scheme extents. This showed that in 2023, the AADF for all motor vehicles was 14,537 with 220 of these being HGVs

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as highlighted by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2019-2023).

Population and human health

Due to the like-for-like nature of the works, an area of 300m was investigated to determine baseline.

There are no agricultural land holdings within the surrounding scheme extents or within 300m.

Core Path REN/32 crosses over the scheme extents at NGRs: NS 52114 66443. Core Path REN/11 is located approximately 239m west of the scheme extents.

There are no other core paths, or any National Cycle Network Routes or bridleways within 300m of the scheme extents.

There are no footpaths, bus stops, Public Right of Ways (PRoW), laybys or any access/egress points to residential properties within the scheme extents.

Streetlights border either side of the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents.

Road drainage and the water environment

According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub, the Clyde Estuary - Inner (inc Cart), (ID: 200510), is located 456m north of the scheme extents. This watercourse has an overall moderate ecological potential. There are no other watercourses within 500m of the scheme extents.

SEPA’s Flood Risk Map has highlighted that the Clyde Estuary has a high likelihood of coastal water flooding, suggesting this watercourse has a 10% chance of flooding. There are also some areas within the scheme extents that are susceptible to a high (10%) likelihood of surface water flooding.

The groundwater within the scheme extents consists of Govan Sand and Gravel groundwater, (ID: 150779), which has an overall ‘poor’ quality.

Drainage within the scheme extents along the M8 consists of gullies, catchpits and filter drains.

The works do not fall within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Climate

Carbon Goals

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act sets out the target and vision set by the Scottish Government for tackling and responding to climate change. The Act includes a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% before 2050 (from the baseline year 1990). 

The Scottish Government has since published its indicative Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to set out how it will instead reach net-zero by 2045, working to reduce emissions of all major greenhouse gases by at least 75% by 2030. By 2040, the Scottish Government is committed to reduce emissions by 90%, with the aim of reaching net-zero by 2045 at the latest. 

Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, TS are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. 

Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040. 

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the SW NMC network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the SW NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032. 

Policies and Plans

This Record of Determination (RoD) has been undertaken in accordance with Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (RSA EIA Regulations) along with Transport Scotland’s Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance (Guidance – Environmental Impact Assessments for road projects (transport.gov.scot)). Relevant guidance, policies and plans accompanied with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)) LA 101 and LA 104 were used to form this assessment.