Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required

This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) exceed 1 hectare in area.

The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017). Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.

The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:

Characteristics of the scheme

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of worn / damaged road surface, with all works restricted to made ground on the A1 northbound carriageway surface.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • By removing the carriageway defects, this will provide this section of the A1 northbound carriageway with another life cycle, and significantly improve the ride quality, which will result in safer conditions for road users.

Location of the scheme

  • The scheme lies within 2km of the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site and the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA and within the buffer zone of the qualifying feature of Fala Flow SPA and Ramsar Site and Gladhouse Reservoir SPA and Ramsar Site. However, a HRA has been undertaken, which confirmed that the works will not result in LSE on the designated sites.
  • The scheme lies within the Battle of Prestonpans Battlefield, however given the restriction of the works to the A1 carriageway there will be no impacts to this designated cultural heritage feature.
  • The scheme is not located within any areas designated for landscape areas.
  • Land use will not change as a result of the works.
  • The works do not require any private land acquisition.
  • The scheme is not located within a densely populated area.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme

  • The waste hierarchy will be followed to reduce waste to landfill.
  • Works are programmed to take 14 nights with the aim being to complete the noisiest works by 23:00.
  • With good practice pollution prevention measures implemented onsite, there is a negligible risk of a pollution event e.g., compliance with the SEMP.