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 show air quality monitoring sites in the wider area with bandings in the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

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

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

  • Interflex Ltd., Mayfield Industrial Estate, Dalkeith – Other activities declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), located approx. 8.5km west of the scheme extents.
  • East Lothian Eggs at Howden Farm – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture declared for ammonia, located approx. 9km northwest of the scheme extents.
  • Howden Farm – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture declared for ammonia, located approx. 9.6km northeast.
  • Charles River Laboratories Edinburgh Ltd. – Waste and waste-water management declared for cadmium, located approx. 9.8km north of the scheme extents.

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A68. Secondary sources are likely derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network, as well as surrounding agricultural, urban and woodland land management activities.

Cultural heritage

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

  • An approx. 250m long section of the easternmost scheme extents lie within the Fala Flow Conservation Area (Conservation Areas in Midlothian).
  • Three Listed Buildings (LB), including:
  • BLACKSHIELS INN (NOW FARM-HOUSE) (LB7441) a category B LB lies approx. 10m northeast of the scheme extents, separated only by a footpath and grass verge.
  • COTTAGE NO 31, FALA (LB7440) a category B LB lies approx. 90m northeast.
  • FALA MANSE, FALA (LB7439) a category B LB lies approx. 0.2km northeast.
  • ‘Saughland enclosure ESE of’ Scheduled Monument (SM6262) lies approx. 0.12km southwest of the scheme extents, and it is screened from the scheme extents by a hedgerow and separated by arable agricultural land.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, two undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs), ‘Fala Tunnel’ National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) (ref 320265) and ‘Fala Tunnel’ Historic Environment Record (HER) (ref MEL10367), lie within the scheme extents. Both of these pertain to the existing road infrastructure, namely a culvert.

Approx. 39 UCHAs lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest of which UCHAs, other than those listed above, border the southbound A68, and these are:

  • ‘Bleak Law, Saughland’ NRHE (ref 54807) pertains to a cist(s) (bronze age), cinerary urn(s) (bronze age).
  • ‘Bleak Law, Saughland’ HER (ref MEL54807) pertains to cist; findspot.
  • ‘Bleak Law, Saughland’ HER (Ref MEL8598) pertains to linear feature; quarry.

All remaining UCHAs lie ≥10m from the scheme extents. The next nearest records are:

  • ‘Hamilton Hall’ NRHE (ref 251529) and HER (ref MEL6869), which lie approx. 10m northeast of the scheme extents.

Construction of the A68 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 ‘Upland Fringes - Lothians’ (no. 269) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The key characteristics given for LCT no. 269 are:

  • Broadly undulating, landforms forming a series of smooth rounded hills and slopes, some steep-sided and some gently sloping, shelving gradually from the Uplands northward to merge with rolling farmlands.
  • Occasional hills where underlying geology incorporates harder strata.
  • Varied scale, openness and land use reflecting transitional nature between upland and lowland.
  • Incised watercourses have etched v-shaped valleys into the slopes, often forming deep cleughs.
  • Occasional larger rivers flow through similar, but larger-scale, v-shaped channels.
  • Remnant heather moorland and rough grassland on high ground gives way to improved grassland and then to arable land on the lowest elevations, with a parallel transition from post and wire fence and walls to beech and hawthorn hedges.
  • Some areas of extensive coniferous forest, but tree cover is more frequent in the form of shelterbelts.
  • Deciduous woodland is restricted to steeper land in river channels, though this includes some important ancient woodlands.
  • Dispersed settlement pattern of farmsteads and clusters of cottages, with occasional small villages.
  • Distinctive character of rural road network, dense in places, including local features such as fords and bridges.
  • Quarries, overhead lines and busy A roads which have localised influence in some parts of the landscape.
  • Clearly transitional landscape between lowland and upland characters.
  • Views across the lowland, and to the coast in the east, backed by the ridge lines of the hills to the south.

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

  • Rectilinear Fields and Farms.
  • Managed Woodland.
  • Rough Grazing.
  • Urban Area.

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.
  • ‘Class 4.1’ – Land capable of producing a narrow range of crops, primarily grassland with short arable breaks of forage crops and cereal.

Within 300m of the scheme extents, the following areas of woodland are registered on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS):

  • 0.6ha of native upland oakwood woodland which borders the northbound A68 within the scheme extents.
  • 1.4ha of native upland birchwood woodland which borders the northbound A68 at the eastern extent of the scheme.
  • 5.5ha of various parcels of connected native woodland, located between approx. 25m and 300m north and northeast of the scheme extents.
  • 14.4ha of plantation on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) woodland, which is located approx. 80m northeast of the scheme extents.

The following areas of woodland are registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • 1.2ha of woodland, recorded as ‘ancient (of semi-natural origin)’, which borders the southbound A68 at Fala Tunnel.
  • 4ha of woodland, recorded as ‘other (on Roy map)’, which borders either side of the A68 within the scheme extents.
  • 18.35ha of woodland, recorded as “long-established (of plantation origin)” which borders the A68 northbound at the eastern extent of the scheme.

Additionally, there are approx. 1.6ha of assumed woodland and approx. 2.2ha of conifer woodland bordering the northbound A68 within the scheme extents.

There are no trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents. However, all trees within the Fala Village Conservation Area are protected.

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 tool identifies that the scheme is situated within 2km of, and within the buffer zone of several of the qualifying species of, ‘European Sites’ designated for biodiversity features. These include Fala Flow Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar Site, Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site, Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA, and Gladhouse Reservoir SPA and Ramsar Site.

There are no Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) (Spatialhub Web Map), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of the scheme extents. However, the Fala Flow SPA is underpinned by the Fala Flow SSSI. The Firth of Forth SPA is also underpinned by the Firth of Forth SSSI.

The National Biodiversity Network (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.

A search of the NBN online mapping tool records no plant species, as listed within the Network Management Contract (NMC), within 2km of the scheme extents (within the last 10-years).

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool found five records of rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), an invasive native perennial, within the scheme extents.

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 therefore comprise a homogenous species-poor semi-improved grassland. 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.

Additionally, the A68 passes through Fala Village which has properties bordering the southbound A68 within the scheme extents. A footpath is present adjacent to the southbound A68 throughout most of the scheme extents. Locally, given the built-up nature of the surrounding area at Fala Village, it is considered to have low ecological value.

Outwith the trunk road boundary, there are extensive areas of agricultural land which form a pattern of open and exposed fields containing mainly arable land. The result of this intensive agricultural land management is to restrict the occurrence of semi-natural and natural vegetation types. Most field boundaries are post-and -wire fencing, with vegetative features further delineating field boundaries e.g., shrub hedgerow, rough grassland, ruderal herb stands, scrub and tree shelterbelt. Linear features at field boundaries have wildlife value, both as corridors in an intensively managed landscape, and as habitats for birds and other small animals.

In addition, approx. 5.5ha of native riparian woodland borders the centre of the scheme extents and extends alongside the Cakemuir Burn. Plus, approx. 2ha of native broadleaved woodland borders the northbound A68 at the eastern extent of the scheme. These habitats will have wildlife value, both as commuting corridors in an intensively managed agricultural landscape, and as foraging grounds and habitat for birds and animals.

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 Types within the scheme extents as:

  • Brown Soils.
  • Mineral Gleys.

The Major Soil Groups are 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).
  • Till (Devensian – Diamicton).
  • Alluvium (clay, silt, sand and gravel).
  • Superficial theme not mapped (unknown/unclassified entry).

The bedrock geology in the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Inverclyde Group (mudstone, siltstone and sandstone).
  • Stratheden Group and Inverclyde Group (undifferentiated – interbedded sandstone and (subequal/subordinate) argillaceous rocks.

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 A68 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 resurface/reconstruct the worn carriageway and reinstate road markings. Materials used will consist of:

  • TS2010 Surface Course, 10mm aggregate Site Class 1/3.
  • AC20 Dense Binder 40/60.
  • AC32 Dense Base 40/60.
  • Tack/Bond coat, paving grade bitumen to seal vertical faces.
  • Eurolite Thermoplastic Road Markings.
  • Embedded Road Studs.

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

The scheme involves removal of the surface course, as well as areas of binder and base. The main waste produced during the works will be approx. 11,075m2 of road planings (bituminous materials), which will be removed from site, 143 tonnes 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 Quiet Area (CQA).

The Day, Evening and Night modelled noise level (LDEN) ranges between 65 decibels (dB) and 75dB within the scheme extents, reducing to between 45dB and 70dB at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (residential) (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 agricultural, urban and woodland land management activities.

Population and human health

Several residential properties, all located within the village of Fala, lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest property, a Bed and Breakfast, is located <5m northeast of, and has no screening from, the scheme extents. Approx. two additional residential properties have no screening from the scheme extents and are located approx. 20m and 30m from the scheme. The remaining properties within 300m are screened by intervening properties, walls, hedgerows and/or topography.

Of note, a children’s nursery is located approx. 150m northeast of the scheme extents within the village of Fala. This is screened from the scheme extents by intervening properties.

A Midlothian core path (ID: 7-48), which connects Fala with Brothershiels and the Borders Core Path Network via Fala Moor, terminates at the northbound A68 within the scheme extents.

There is a local footpath bordering the southbound A68 throughout the majority of the scheme extents.

Additionally, there are two bus stops within the scheme extents:

  • Village Access (southbound) at NGR NT 43601 60936.
  • Village Access (northbound) at NGR NT 43656 60892.

Otherwise, there are no non-motorised user or community facilities with connectivity to the scheme.

Street lighting is absent within the scheme extents.

The A68 is a single lane carriageway with a national speed limit applying throughout, although there are signs to reduce speed at the bends. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow on the A68 is low (7,972 motor vehicles (ID: ATCSE013, 2026 data)).

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 which is spanned by the A68. The details of which are as follows:

  • Cakemuir Burn aka Keith Water/Fala Dam Burn (ID: 4011), is separated by ≥5m wide section consisting of narrow grass verge with vehicle restraint system (VRS) and steep slope with mature broadleaved trees on either side of the carriageway. Keith Water is a river in the Tyne catchment of the Scotland river basin district, with a main stem of 14.0km. It has been given an overall status of ‘poor’, an overall ecology of ‘poor’, and a fish barrier status of ‘poor’.

Four small minor unclassified surface waterbodies are located within 300m of the scheme extents. These include:

  • Drain1, a drainage channel located approx. 25m south/southwest, oriented parallel to the A68 and separated by narrow grass verge, VRS, approx. 1m high stone wall, steep wooded slope and open agricultural land.
  • Drain2, which is culverted beneath the A68 approx. 30m southeast of the scheme extents at its nearest point, and is separated by open agricultural land and properties on the edge of Fala. It is known as Routing Burn further downstream.
  • Drain3, which is a drainage channel located approx. 180m north of the western extent of the scheme. It is separated from the scheme extents by arable agricultural land and a single-track road.
  • Drain4, which is likely culverted beneath the A68 trunk road approx. 280m northwest of the scheme extents. It is separated from the trunk road by managed grass verges and a footpath adjacent to the southbound carriageway.

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

A search of the SEPA online Flood Risk Management Maps tool records that over an 800m long stretch of the A68 carriageway, there are locally narrow sections of the road at low to medium likelihood of surface water flooding (i.e. each year there is a 0.1% to 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 ‘Haddington’, ‘Tyne Sand and Gravel’ and ‘Gifford’ groundwaters, which have all been classified as ‘Good’.

A search of the SE online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, lies within the ‘Edinburgh, East Lothian and Borders’ 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 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).