Description of local environment

Air quality

Properties within 300m of the scheme – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping tool records that the air quality zones in the wider area record bandings in the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme lies within the boundary of East Lothian Council, which has one active Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) within its administrative boundary. The AQMA, ‘High Street, Musselburgh’, lies approx. 1.87km northwest of the scheme extents (at its nearest point) and has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There are five sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for pollutant releases to air within 10km of the scheme extents (in the last 10-years):

  • ‘Millerhill Anaerobic Digestion Facility, Dalkeith’ – waste and waste-water management, declared for ammonia, carbon monoxide, and methane (located approx. 1km west),
  • ‘Millerhill Recycling & Energy Recovery Centre’ – waste and waste-water management, declared for antimony, cadmium, carbon dioxide, chromium, copper, dioxins and furans, manganese, mercury, nickel, nitrogen oxides, and particulates (located approx. 1.1km west),
  • ‘East Lothian Eggs at Howden Farm’ – intensive livestock production and aquaculture, declared for ammonia (located approx. 4.1km south),
  • ‘Interflex Limited Mayfield Industrial Estate, Dalkeith’ – other activities, declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (located approx. 6.3km south), and
  • ‘Edinburgh Sewage Treatment Works, Leith’ – waste and waste-water management, declared for ammonia, carbon dioxide, chloroform, and methane (located approx. 6.7km northwest).

The baseline air quality within the scheme extents is primarily influenced by motor vehicles travelling along the A1 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along nearby local network roads and day-to-day agricultural land management activities.

Cultural heritage

According to the PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tool, the scheme extents are located entirely within the ‘Battle of Pinkie’ Inventory Battlefield (IB) (ID: BTL15). The Battle of Pinkie is significant as the single largest battle fought within Scotland for the use on a British battlefield utilising some of the major military innovations of the 16th century.

The scheme extents are partially located within the ‘Dalkeith House (Palace)’ Garden and Designed Landscape (GDL) towards the eastern end of the scheme extents (ID: GDL00128). The GDL is designated for the design composition of architecture, gardens, parkland, river terraces and woodland which are still attractive today and provides a valuable refuge for wildlife.

Four Scheduled Monuments (SM) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest record pertains to ‘Monktonhall Junction, Roman Camps and Prehistoric Settlement’ (ID: SM3610), which lies directly alongside the SB carriageway boundary at the eastern end of the scheme extents. This monument is comprises of the remains of a series of Roman temporary camps and prehistoric settlement remains represented by cropmarks visible on oblique aerial photographs.

There is one listed building located within 300m of the scheme extents. This record pertains to the ‘Cowpits, The Old Schoolhouse with Retaining Wall’, Category B listed building (ID: LB10877), which lies approx. 47m south from the eastern end of the scheme extents.

No other designated cultural heritage assets are located within 300m of the scheme extents.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, approx. 28 undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. Five of which are located within the scheme extents, all of which pertain to National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE)

Construction of the A1 carriageway is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the carriageway boundary. The potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains in the study area has therefore been assessed to be low.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is not situated within a National Park (NP) or National Scenic Area (NSA).

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the scheme extents is ‘Lowland River Valleys - Lothians’ (no. 270) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The key characteristics of which are:

  • Meandering rivers and tributary streams flowing northward from the hills.
  • Predominantly incised river valleys enclosed and often narrow, though with landform ranging from sections of broader floodplain to very narrow gorges with distinctive rock exposures, although the lower North and South Esk are more open in character.
  • Well wooded with extensive deciduous riparian woodland, and mature mixed policy woodlands associated with the numerous estates.
  • Scrub and pasture with open areas of valley sides, giving way to arable land with shelterbelts on upper slopes and fringes.
  • Large number of significant historic buildings, including vernacular cottages, 18th and 19th century farmsteads, churches (often with highlight visible spires), industrial architecture, castles and tower houses. Large country houses, often with extensive designed landscapes.
  • Remnants of the coal mining industry are evident around the North and South Esk, where rolling farmland, settlement, transport infrastructure, light industry and business uses, also illustrate the diversity of land uses.
  • Views are generally contained by enclosed topography and dense woodland, opening out on the farmed are settled upper slopes which give longer distance views to the Pentland Hills to the west. Many valleys are rural and tranquil, whilst quiet and secluded locations occur within all the valleys.

Land use within the study area is comprised of the following:

  • Rectilinear farms and fields,
  • Motorways and major roads,
  • Urban area,
  • Designed landscape,
  • Cultivated former parkland,
  • Restored agricultural land,
  • Managed woodland, and
  • Golf course.

The national scale land capability for agriculture classifies land surrounding the scheme as being:

  • ‘Class 2’ – Land capable of producing a wide range of crops.

There are four areas of woodland are registered on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland database located within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • 0.51ha of lowland mixed deciduous woodland, located directly alongside the SB carriageway boundary,
  • 1.15ha of lowland mixed deciduous woodland, located approx. 15m north from the western end of the scheme extents,
  • 1.13ha of nearly native lowland mixed deciduous woodland, located approx. 25m north from the eastern end of the scheme extents, and
  • 1ha of lowland mixed deciduous woodland, located approx. 140m north from the eastern end of the scheme extents.

There are two areas of woodland registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland database located within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • 17.2ha of long-established (of plantation origin) woodland, located alongside the SB carriageway boundary and crossing below the scheme extents at the River Esk Bridge, and
  • 7.58ha of long-established (of plantation origin) woodland, located alongside the SB carriageway boundary and crossing below the scheme extents at the River Esk Bridge.

In addition to the above, the following three woodlands are also located within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • 2.47ha of conifer woodland, located approx. 55m north from the eastern end of the scheme extents,
  • 2.77ha of conifer woodland, located approx. 105m north of the scheme extents,
  • 0.92ha of mixed mainly broadleaved woodland, located approx. 185m north from the western end of the scheme extents.

The existing trunk road is a prominent linear landscape feature. The trunk road corridor, for example, has a distinct character shaped by fast-flowing traffic, road markings, safety barriers, signage, landscaping, etc. The scale of the trunk road detracts from the quality and character of the wider landscape.

Biodiversity

The NatureScot Sitelink online mapping tools identifies that the scheme is not situated within 2km of any European Sites designated for biodiversity features e.g. SACs, SPAs, or Ramsar sites.

The Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site, Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA, Fala Flow SPA and Ramsar Site, and Gladhouse Reservoir SPA and Ramsar Site does however share connectivity with the scheme extents. The Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site lies approx. 2.1km north of the scheme, the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA lies approx. 2.7km northwest of the scheme, the Fala Flow SPA and Ramsar Site lies approx. 13.7km southeast of the scheme, and the Gladhouse Reservoir SPA and Ramsar Site lies approx. 16.5km southwest of the scheme. All of the identified designated sites therefore lie within the disturbance zone for several of the qualifying features.

Fala Flow SSSI lies approx. 13.7km southeast of the scheme extents.

Gladhouse Reservoir SSSI lies approx. 16.5km southwest of the scheme extents.

One Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) lies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • ‘River Valley Esk’, which the scheme extents span at the eastern end of the scheme.

There are no Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of the scheme extents.

An ecological constraints survey (ECS) was undertaken by BEAR Scotland’s Environmental Team on 1st July 2025. Habitats adjacent to the scheme extents predominantly consisted of agricultural land with pastoral fields, alongside mature deciduous and broadleaved woodland.

No INNS were recorded within proximity to the works, however, four occurrences of giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) were identified in the wider area during the site visit (at approx. NGR: NT 34112 70684, NT33561 70780, NT 34664 70808, and NT 33514 70672). The closest of these is approx. 30m north of the scheme extents.

A search of the NBN online mapping tool records the following species as listed within the Network Management Contract (NMC), within 2km of the scheme extents (in the last 10-years):

Three invasive non-native species (INNS):

  • Giant hogweed,
  • Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), and
  • Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica).

One invasive native perennial:

  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

The closest of which relates to giant hogweed, found approx. 0.06km north of the scheme extents, along the River Esk.

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records the following plant species within the verge of the A1 SB carriageway boundary within the scheme extents:

Two INNS:

  • Giant hogweed, and
  • Japanese knotweed.

In addition, instances of giant hogweed are also recorded along the northbound carriageway adjacent to the scheme extents.

The habitat immediately bordering the A1 carriageway consists primarily of areas of arable land and managed grassland separated by field boundaries, minor embankments sloping towards the A1 trunk road, mature deciduous tree shelterbelts lining the carriageway boundary, mature hedgerows and scrub, and natural roadside vegetation (e.g., immature trees, shrubs etc.) and made verges which undergo cyclic maintenance (e.g., grass-cutting, weed control, etc.). In addition, the River Esk and its riparian woodland is spanned by the A1 within the scheme extents. While there is high availability of roadside vegetation, the habitat immediately bordering the trunk road is assessed to be of reduced ecological value, due to the likelihood of trunk road disturbances from high volume, fast-flowing traffic and that the A1 trunk road limits the connectivity and continuity for species between their potential habitats on either side of the road

Geology and soils

The A1 within the scheme extents is not located within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) and there are no Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) located within 300m of the scheme extents.

The National Soil Map of Scotland online mapping tool records one generalised soil type within the scheme extents:

  • Brown soils.

There is one major soil group recorded within the scheme extents:

  • Brown soils.

The British Geological Survey online mapping tool records the superficial geology within the scheme extents as:

  • Raised Marine Deposits, Devensian – Sand and Gravel, and
  • Alluvium – Clay, Sand, and Gravel.

The bedrock geology within the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Scottish Middle Coal Measures Formation – Sedimentary Rock Cycles, Coal Measure Type, and
  • Scottish Lower Coal Measures Formation – Sedimentary Rock Cycles, Coal Measure Type.

There is no evidence if historical industrial processes or the storage of hazardous materials that could have given rise to significant land contamination within the scheme extents.

Given that the works will be restricted to the existing boundary and depth of the A1 carriageway and that there are not designated geological features within proximity to the works, it is assessed that geology and soils will not be impacted by the scheme. Therefore, this topic has been scoped out of further assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are required to replace the worn carriageway surface and reinstate road markings. Materials used will consist of:

  • TS2010 10mm site class 1.
  • AC20 dense binder 40/60.
  • AC32 base.
  • Tack/bond coat, paving grade bitumen to seal vertical faces.
  • Eurolite thermoplastic road markings.
  • Embedded road studs.

As the value of the scheme is greater than £350,000, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required for these works.

The 1.56km scheme involves removal of the surface course and localised areas of base and binder. In total, approx. 2450 tonnes of bituminous material (European Waste Catalogue Code: 17 03 02) will be removed from site, none of which is classified as hazardous material containing coal tar.

Noise and vibration

Receptors – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

Works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

The night-time modelled noise level (LGNT) within the scheme extents ranges between 65 and 70 decibels (dB), with levels dropping to between 55 and 60 dB at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (residential property).

Baseline noise and vibration in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles traveling along the A1 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along nearby local network roads, day-to-day woodland and agricultural land management activities.

Population and human health

Several residential properties lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest property lies approx. 50m south from the southern end of the scheme extents and has partial screening from the scheme due to fragmented mature-/semi-mature tree shelterbelts and minor embankments sloped towards the A1. The remaining properties have partial to full screening from the scheme extents due to a combination of semi-mature/mature tree shelterbelts, mature hedgerows, mature deciduous woodland, minor embankments sloped towards the A1, intervening topography and/or other properties.

Core Path 173 is located along the eastern edge of the River Esk watercourse and is spanned by the A1 within the scheme extents. No other community facilities have connectivity to the scheme extents and there is no street lighting present throughout the scheme.

There are no other non-motorised user (NMU) or community facilities with connectivity to the scheme extents.

The A1, within the scheme extents, is a dual carriageway with a speed limit of 70 mph applying throughout. The Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) flow is high (45,057 motor vehicles (ID: 80106, 2024 data)) (Road Traffic Statistics) and is comprised of:

  • 150 two wheeled motor vehicles,
  • 37,566 cars and taxis,
  • 383 buses and coaches,
  • 6,047 Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs), and
  • 911 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Road drainage and the water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) River Basin Management Plan online mapping tool records one classified surface waterbody within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • ‘River South Esk’ (Gore Water to North Esk confluences) (ID: 3801), which flows beneath the scheme extents towards the eastern end of the scheme. It is a river in the River Esk (Lothian) catchment of the Scotland river basin district, with the main stem approx. 13km in length and has been given an overall classification of poor ecological potential.

Four unclassified waterbodies lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • ‘Drain one’, which flows beneath the western end of the scheme extents,
  • ‘Drain two’, which lies approx. 25m north of the scheme extents,
  • ‘Drain three’, which lies approx. 50m south from the western end of the scheme extents, and
  • ‘Drain four’, which lies approx. 50m south from the western end of the scheme extents.

These waterbodies are considered to be too small (in terms of catchment area) to be classified as a main stem waterbody by SEPA under the (WFD).

A search of the SEPA’s Flood Map online mapping tool records that the A1 carriageway has a low - medium risk of surface water flooding each year at the eastern end of the scheme only. This means each year this area has been a 0.1% and 0.5% chance of flooding.

A search of the Scotland’s Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, lies on the ‘Dalkeith’ and ‘Esk Sand and Gravel’ groundwater bodies. Dalkeith has been classified as ‘Poor’ and ‘Esk Sand and Gravel’ has been classified as ‘Good’.

The scheme extents do not lie within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045.

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets.

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