Description of local environment

Air quality

Receptors – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

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

The scheme lies within the boundary of the Scottish Borders Council which has no active Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). The nearest AQMA, ‘High Street, Musselburgh’, lies approx. 40km northwest of the scheme and has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

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

  • Galashiels STW, Winston Road, Galashiels – Waste and Wastewater Management declared for methane, located approx. 0.4km northeast of the scheme.
  • Easter Langlee Landfill Site, Galashiels – Waste and Wastewater Management declared for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), methane, and methyl chloroform, located approx. 1.7km northeast of the scheme.

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A6091. Secondary sources are likely derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network, as well as surrounding woodland land management and urban activities.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools record four designated cultural heritage features within 300m of the scheme extents. These include:

Of lesser cultural heritage value, three undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within the scheme extents, including:

  • National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) and Historic Environment Record (HER) (ref 278438), which relates to Galafoot Bridge.
  • ‘Galashiels, Selkirk Junction’ HER (ref 283974), which relates to a Railway Junction (19th century) and is spanned by the western extent of the scheme.
  • Abbotsford Designed Landscape HER (ref 343274), which relates to a modern landscape bordering the westbound carriageway at the eastern extent of the scheme.

An additional approx. 20 UCHAs lie within 300m of the scheme extents, with the next closest being 60m northeast of the scheme.

Construction of the A6091 carriageway is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the trunk road boundary. The potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains in the study area is therefore assessed to be low.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is not situated within 300m of a National Scenic Area or National Park (NP).

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the study area is ‘Settled Upland Fringe Valley’ (no. 118) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The key characteristics given for LCT no. 118 are:

  • Medium to large-scale flat-bottomed valley, enclosed by undulating upland fringe hills.
  • Smooth large-scale landform modified in places by undulating moraine deposits, steep bluffs and terraces cut by meandering river.
  • Neat pattern of medium sized arable and pasture fields, divided by hedgerows, often with mature trees.
  • Mature broadleaf woodlands and shelterbelts prominent along valley floor and lower slopes.
  • Coniferous woodlands on valley sides contrasting with pastures, often well integrated into landscape.

Land Use within 300m of the scheme is categorised into the following:

  • Freshwater area,
  • Urban area,
  • Recreation area,
  • Designed landscape,
  • Managed woodland,
  • Industrial or commercial area,
  • Plantation, and
  • Rectilinear fields and farms.

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

  • ‘Class 3.1’ - Land capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and/ or moderate yields of a wider range. Short grass leys are common.

There are three areas of native woodland registered on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) within 300m of the scheme extents. These include:

  • 4.18ha of native lowland mixed deciduous woodland, which is located approx. 120m north/northeast of the scheme extents.
  • 1.64ha of native lowland mixed deciduous woodland, which is located approx. 135m southwest of the scheme extents, connected by broadleaved woodland which borders the westbound carriageway.
  • 0.71ha of nearly-native lowland mixed deciduous woodland, which is located approx. 260m northeast of the scheme extents.

There are no areas of woodland registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland within 300m of the scheme extents. Also, there are no individual trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents. However, the woodland alongside Boleside Road, which borders the westbound A6091 on the west side of the River Tweed, is subject to a TPO (ref SBC38) (Spatialhub Web Map).

Additionally, the following woodland borders the A6091 within the scheme extents:

  • 1.13ha broadleaved woodland borders the eastbound carriageway on the western side of the River Tweed.
  • 2.86ha broadleaved woodland borders the eastbound carriageway on the east side of the River Tweed.
  • 2.43ha broadleaved woodland borders the westbound carriageway on the east side of the River Tweed.

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, lighting etc. The scale of the trunk road detracts from the quality and character of the wider landscape. 

Biodiversity

The NatureScot Sitelink online mapping tool identifies that the scheme is situated above the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Otherwise, the scheme extents are not located within 2km of, and do not share connectivity with, any other ‘European Sites’ designated for biodiversity features e.g., Special Protected Area, Ramsar site.

The River Tweed Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (EU Site Code: 135386) underpins the River Tweed SAC below the scheme extents.

Abbotsford Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS) borders the westbound A6091 on the east side of the River Tweed within the scheme extents (Spatialhub Web Map). There are no Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of the scheme extents.

The NBN Atlas holds records of numerous bird species within 2km over a ten-year period. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), all wild birds and their active nests (typically active March to August inclusive) are protected. No other species of conservation concern have been recorded within 2km of the scheme (within the last 10 years). Only records with open-use attributions (OGL, CC0, CC-BY) were included in the search criteria.

BEAR Scotland’s Environment Team undertook an environmental constraints survey (ECS) for another scheme on 4th September 2025. No protected species or evidence of protected species was recorded during the survey, however broadleaved woodland was recorded surrounding each end of the Galafoot Bridge, with suitable habitat for nesting birds located within five metres of the bridge.

During the survey, INNS ‘Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)’ and injurious weed ‘creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)’ were recorded on both banks of the River Tweed (with the former being located close to the water’s edge), while rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) was also recorded along the western bank of the River Tweed. However, no INNS were noted on the trunk road verge.

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

Two Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS):

  • Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica).
  • Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).

The closest record pertains to giant hogweed, which has been recorded at the eastern end of the scheme extents (recorded in 2018), with a co-ordinate uncertainty of 7.1m. However, as noted above this was not identified during the ECS.

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records two infestations of the invasive native perennial, rosebay willowherb in both the eastbound and westbound verges of the A6091, located approx. 15m and 35m west of the scheme extents respectively. No date is given for these infestations. 

Habitat immediately bordering the trunk road tends to be of low intrinsic value because the existing road verge is subject to cyclic maintenance e.g., grass cutting, weed control, tree, and shrub cut-back etc. The roadside verges within the scheme extents are comprised of managed grass with street lighting, bordered by short sections of vehicle restraint systems (VRS) at either end of Galafoot Bridge. Roadside vegetation generally offers low ecological habitat due to its limited scale, fragmented nature and high potential for disturbance owing to cyclic trunk road landscape maintenance, and the proximity of the trunk road (with its fast-flowing traffic). The presence of the trunk road also restricts continuity of, and connectivity between, habitats either side of the trunk road boundary.

Outwith the trunk road boundary, there are urban and recreational areas with some woodland. Woodland has wildlife value, providing shelter, as well as foraging grounds and commuting corridors for birds and small animals. In addition, the River Tweed spanned by the A6091 is likely to offer extensive areas of suitable habitats for a number of species.

Geology and soils

There are no geological SSSIs or Geological Conservation Review Sites within 300m of the scheme extents (SiteLink). Additionally, there are no Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) with connectivity to the scheme extents. 

The National Soil Map of Scotland online mapping tool records the Generalised Soil Type within the scheme extents as:

  • Brown Soils.

The Major Soil Group is recorded as:

  • Brown Soils.

The British Geological Survey online mapping tool records that the superficial geology in the scheme extents is comprised of:

  • Glaciofluvial deposits (gravel, sand and silt).
  • Alluvium (clay, silt, sand and gravel).

The bedrock geology in the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Hawick Group (Wacke).

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

Given the restriction of the works to the A6091 carriageway and the lack of any excavation works, local geology and soils are unlikely to be affected by the proposed works. Therefore, “Geology and Soils” has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are required to refurbish the bridge deck and increase the height of the existing parapets. Materials used will consist of:

  • Concrete,
  • Asphalt (including HRA 35/14 F surface course and a binder course),
  • Tensar Glasstex p100 pavement reinforcement layer,
  • Waterproofing,
  • Bitumen,
  • Line marking paint,
  • Road studs,
  • Drainage materials,
  • Gullies (if required),
  • Galvanised steep copes.
  • Associated fixings (screws / bolts).

The scheme has a value greater than £350,000. As a result, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required.

The main wastes produced during the works will be road planings (bituminous materials) none of which is classified as hazardous material containing coal tar. Additional waste materials will include defective concrete and concrete kerbs, all of which will be removed from site.

Noise and vibration

Receptors - refer to ‘Population and human health’.

Works are not located within a Candidate Quiet Area (CQA).

The Day, Evening and Night modelled noise level (LDEN) ranges between 45 decibels (dB) and 70dB within the scheme extents, (generally) reducing to between 55dB and 60dB at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (residential property) (Scotland's Environment Scotland's Noise). Noise levels are mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the trunk road.

Secondary sources are likely derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network, as well as surrounding woodland land management and urban activities.

Population and human health

Over 100 residential properties lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest is located approx. 25m north of the scheme extents on the western bank extents of the scheme. While it is located within close proximity the property does not have a direct access from/to the A6091. All properties are screened from the scheme extents by tree shelterbelts, intervening properties and/or topography.

Of note, Knockomie Hotel also lies approx. 100m west, with limited screening from the scheme extents by occasional broadleaved trees.

Local footpaths border the A6091 on either side of the bridge, and the footpath on the eastbound side of the trunk road extends beyond the bridge in both directions.

Two core paths intersect the scheme extents (Spatialhub Web Map), including:

  • Core path (ID: 189), which is part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) route 1, and is also known as ‘Boleside Road’ and used by motor vehicles. It is a single-track road which runs underneath the scheme extents on the west side of the River Tweed.
  • Core path (ID: 1), also known as ‘The Black Path’, is a footpath which crosses underneath the Galafoot Bridge at the eastern abutment.

Bus stops are located either side of the A6091 immediately east of the scheme extents. These are:

  • Galafoot Bridge (ID: 72723854), which is located at NGR NT 51043 34649 on the eastbound A6091.
  • Galafoot Bridge (ID: 72723846), which is located at NGR NT 51050 34629 on the westbound A6091.

Street lighting is present within the scheme extents.

The A6091 is a single carriageway and the national speed limit applying throughout. The speed on the connecting roundabout is 40-mph. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow on the A6091 is moderate (13,035 motor vehicles (ID: ATC07037, 2026 data)) (Drakewell Traffic Data).

Road drainage and the water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) River Basin Management Plan online mapping tool records one classified surface watercourse, which is spanned by the scheme extents:

  • River Tweed (Ettrick Water to St Boswells Burn confluences) (ID: 5202) is spanned by the A6091 Galafoot Bridge within the scheme extents. The River Tweed is a river in the River Tweed catchment of the Solway Tweed river basin district and has a main stem approx. 21.98km in length. The River Tweed has been assigned a Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) overall status of ‘Good‘, an overall ecological status of ‘Good’, and a fish barrier status of ‘High’.

One other classified surface waterbody lies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Gala Water (Arnet Water confluence to River Tweed) (ID: 5280) flows into the River Tweed approx. 220m northeast (downstream) of the scheme extents. The Gala Water is a river in the River Tweed catchment of the Solway Tweed river basin district and has a main stem approx. 27.3km in length. The Gala Water has been assigned a WFD overall status of ‘Moderate ecological potential’, an overall ecological status of ‘Bad’, and a fish barrier status of ‘High’.

There are no small minor unclassified surface waterbodies located within 300m of the scheme extents.

A search of the SEPA online Flood Risk Management Maps tool records that the trunk road within the scheme extents, is not at risk of surface water flooding.

A search of the Scotland’s Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, lies on the ‘Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick’ and ‘Upper Tweeddale Sand and Gravel’ groundwaters, which have both been classified as ‘Good’.

A search of the SE online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, does not lie within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

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 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).