A68 Pathhead to Tynehead Road Improvement Scheme: DMRB Stage 3 Environmental Statement

A68 Pathhead to Tynehead Road Improvement Scheme: DMRB Stage 3 Environmental Statement

Multiple Framework Agreement 2003/1 For Scottish Trunk Road Schemes Preparation
VOLUME 1

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Contents

Non-technical Summary

1 Introduction
1.1 Background to the Scheme
1.2 Existing Road Network
1.3 Scheme Location
1.4 Development of a Preferred Scheme
1.5 Stage 3 Environmental Assessment
1.6 Report Structure

2 The Proposed Scheme
2.1 Need for the Scheme
2.2 Scheme Objectives
2.3 Alternative Scheme Options
2.4 Selection of the Preferred Scheme
2.5 Scheme Description
2.6 Predicted Benefits of the Proposed Scheme
2.7 Construction Programme
2.8 Construction Methods
2.9 Operational Requirements

3 Approach and Methods
3.1 Introduction
3.2 General Approach to the Assessment

4 Consultations
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Consultation Process
4.3 Key Issues Raised by Consultees

5 Air Quality
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Methodology
5.3 Potential Impacts
5.4 Mitigation and Residual Impacts
5.5 Conclusions

6 Cultural Heritage
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Methods
6.3 Baseline Conditions
6.4 Assessment of Impacts
6.5 Mitigation
6.6 Residual Impacts

7 Land Use
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Methods
7.3 Baseline Conditions
7.4 Predicted Impacts
7.5 Mitigation
7.6 Residual Impacts

8 Ecology and Nature Conservation
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Methods
8.3 Baseline Conditions
8.4 Assessment of Impacts
8.5 Mitigation
8.6 Residual Impacts

9 Landscape Effects
9.1 Landscape
9.2 Visual
9.3 Assessment of Impacts
9.4 Mitigation
9.5 Residual Impacts

10 Traffic Noise and Vibration
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Methods
10.3 Assessment of Impacts
10.4 Mitigation

11 Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and Community Effects
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Methods
11.3 Baseline Conditions
11.4 Predicted Impacts
11.5 Mitigation
11.6 Residual Impacts

12 Vehicle Travellers
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Methods
12.3 Baseline Conditions
12.4 Predicted Impacts
12.5 Mitigation
12.6 Residual Impacts

13 Road Drainage and the Water Environment
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Methods
13.3 Baseline Conditions
13.4 Assessment of Impacts
13.5 Mitigation
13.6 Residual Impacts

14 Geology and Soils
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Methods
14.3 Baseline Conditions
14.4 Predicted Impacts
14.5 Mitigation
14.6 Residual Impacts

15 Disruption Due to Construction
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Methods
15.3 Baseline Conditions
15.4 Assessment of Impacts and Mitigation
15.5 Residual Impacts

16 Policies and Plans
16.1 Introduction
16.2 National Planning Policy
16.3 Development Plan
16.4 Evaluation

17 Summary of Key Impacts
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Environmental Impact Table

18 Schedule of Environmental Commitments
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Schedule of Environmental Commitments

19 References

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Scheme Location Plan.
Figure 2.1 Preferred Option 12.
Figure 5.1a Air Quality Constraints Diagram. Air Quality Sensitive Properties Located Within 200m of the Existing Route (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 5.1b Air Quality Constraints Diagram. Air Quality Sensitive Properties Located Within 200m of the Existing Route (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 5.2a Air Quality Constraints Diagram. Air Quality Sensitive Properties Located Within 200m of Proposed Realignment and Affected Routes (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 5.2b Air Quality Constraints Diagram. Air Quality Sensitive Properties Located Within 200m of Proposed Realignment and Affected Routes (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 5.3 Air Quality Network Diagram.
Figure 6.1 Location of Cultural Heritage Features.
Figure 7.1 Land Capability Plan.
Figure 7.2 Land Usage Plan.
Figure 8.1 Nature Conservation Designated Sites / Features.
Figure 8.2 Extended Phase 1 Habitat Map.
Figure 8.3 Protected Species Map.
Figure 9.1 Landscape Features and Visual Receptors – Baseline Data.
Figure 9.2 Landscape Features and Visual Receptors – Proposed Scheme.
Figure 9.3 Preliminary Landscape Layout (Sheet 1 of 4).
Figure 9.4 Preliminary Landscape Layout (Sheet 2 of 4).
Figure 9.5 Preliminary Landscape Layout (Sheet 3 of 4).
Figure 9.6 Preliminary Landscape Layout (Sheet 4 of 4).
Figure 10.1a Noise Sensitive Properties Located Within 300m of the Existing Route (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 10.1b Noise Sensitive Properties Located Within 300m of the Existing Route (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 10.2a Noise Sensitive Properties Located Within 300m of the Proposed Realignment and Affected Routes (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 10.2b Noise Sensitive Properties Located Within 300m of the Proposed Realignment and Affected Routes (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 11.1 Cycling / Pedestrian Facilities.
Figure 11.2 Preferred Scheme – Distance Changes to Local Road Network. Southbound Journeys.
Figure 11.3 Preferred Scheme – Distance Changes to Local Road Network. Northbound Journeys.
Figure 11.4 Saughland Farm – Distance Changes to Local Road Network.
Figure 12.1 Views of the Existing Road.
Figure 13.1 Drainage Relief Plan.
Figure 13.2 Flood Risk Areas.
Figure 13.3 Proposed Culvert Realignment at Tynehead Junction.
Figure 13.4 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 1).
Figure 13.5 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 2).
Figure 13.6 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 3).
Figure 13.7 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 4).
Figure 13.8 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 5).
Figure 13.9 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 6).
Figure 13.10 Water Quality Prediction – Existing Road Configuration.
Figure 13.11 Water Quality Prediction – Proposed Road Configuration.
Figure 13.12 Matrix to Determine Risk of Impact of Pollution to Groundwater from Routine Runoff.
Figure 13.13 Risk from Accidental Spillage.
Figure 14.1 Solid Geology Plan.
Figure 14.2 Drift Geology Plan.
Figure 14.3 Historical Mapping Epoch 1: 1843 to 1893.
Figure 14.4 Ordnance Survey Map 1908.
Figure 14.5 Ordnance Survey Map 1950.
Figure 14.6 Ordnance Survey Map 1971.
Figure 14.7 Existing Borehole Locations.
Figure 14.8 Hope Limestone Workings 1877.
Figure 14.9 Magazine Limestone Workings 1896.
Figure 14.10 Limestone Workings Magazine and Hope.

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Typical Construction Plant.
Table 3.1 Best Practice Guidance / Legislation.
Table 3.2 Hierarchy of Mitigation Measures.
Table 4.1 Organisations Consulted For Environmental DMRB Stages 1, 2 and 3.
Table 4.2 Key Consultee Responses.
Table 5.1 Annual Average Background Air Pollutant Concentrations for 2008 for all receptors.
Table 5.2 Annual Average Background Air Pollutant Concentrations for 2010 for all receptors.
Table 5.3 Annual Average Background Air Pollutant Concentrations for 2025 for all receptors.
Table 5.4 Receptor Locations.
Table 5.5 Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Concentrations at Receptors within 200 metres of the affected roads.
Table 5.6 PM₁₀ Summary of Routes: The Aggregated Table.
Table 5.7 NO₂ Summary of Routes: The Aggregated Table.
Table 5.8 Regional Assessment of NO_x and PM₁₀.
Table 5.9 Regional Assessment of CO₂.
Table 6.1 Definition of Site Value for Cultural Heritage.
Table 6.2 Impact Magnitude Criteria for Cultural Heritage.
Table 6.3 Assessment of Significance Criteria for Cultural Heritage.
Table 6.4 Recorded Sites of Cultural Heritage Interest.
Table 7.1 Definition of Site Value for Land Use.
Table 7.2 Impact Magnitude Criteria for Land Use.
Table 7.3 Assessment of Significance Criteria for Land Use.
Table 7.4 Land Capability Classifications and Descriptions.
Table 7.5 Agricultural Land Take.
Table 7.6 Land Use Impacts With and Without Mitigation.
Table 8.1 Stage 3 Species-specific Surveys.
Table 8.2 Nature Conservation Value categories.
Table 8.3 Ecological Levels of Impact Magnitude.
Table 8.4 Generalised Impact Significance Matrix.
Table 8.5 Summary of Key Features of Nature Conservation Value.
Table 8.6 Summary of Potential Ecological Impacts Identified and Pre- and Post Mitigation Magnitude and Significance of Impacts.
Table 9.1 Landscape Value Criteria.
Table 9.2 Landscape Sensitivity Criteria.
Table 9.3 Landscape Magnitude of Change Criteria.
Table 9.4 Landscape Significance of Impact Criteria.
Table 9.5 Summary of Landscape Attributes.
Table 9.6 Visual Sensitivity of Receptors to Change.
Table 9.7 Visual Magnitude of Change Criteria.
Table 9.8 Significance of Visual Impact Criteria.
Table 9.9 Main Visual Receptors: Visual Impacts.
Table 9.10 Residual Landscape and Visual Impacts.
Table 10.1 Indication of the Range of Common Sound Levels.
Table 10.2 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Magnitude Criteria.
Table 10.3 Methodology for Determining Sensitivity.
Table 10.4 Impact Significance Matrix.
Table 10.5 Predicted Ambient Noise Level for 2010. Do Minimum Scenario.
Table 10.6 Predicted Ambient Noise Level for 2025. Do Minimum Scenario.
Table 10.7 Predicted Ambient Noise Level for 2010. Do Something Scenario.
Table 10.8 Predicted Ambient Noise Level for 2025. Do Something Scenario.
Table 10.9 Predicted Change in Ambient Noise Levels for the 2025 Design Year.
Table 10.10 Estimation of Percentage of People Bothered Very Much or Quite a Lot by Traffic Noise for the 2025 Do Minimum and 2025 Do Something Scenarios.
Table 10.11 Change in Percentage of People Bothered Very Much or Quite a Lot by Traffic Noise for the 2025 Do Minimum and 2025 Do Something Scenarios.
Table 11.1 Value of the Area to Pedestrians and Others.
Table 11.2 Magnitude of Impact Upon Pedestrians and Others.
Table 11.3 Overall Impact Significance for Pedestrians and Others.
Table 11.4 Changes in Distance from Properties to the A68 – Proposed Scheme.
Table 11.5 Changes in Distance from Saughland Farm to Field Access Points.
Table 12.1 Definition of Value of Views from the Road and Level of Driver Stress.
Table 12.2 Impact Magnitude Criteria.
Table 12.3 Assessment of Significance Criteria.
Table 12.4 Impacts With and Without Mitigation.
Table 13.1 Criteria for Estimating the Importance of Water Environment Attributes.
Table 13.2 Criteria for Estimating the Magnitude of an Impact on an Attribute.
Table 13.3 Criteria for Estimating the Significance of Potential Effects.
Table 13.4 Assessment of Pollution Impacts from Accidental Spillages.
Table 13.5 Simple Assessment of Pollution Impacts from Routine Runoff.
Table 13.6 Water Quality Prediction.
Table 13.7 Risk of Accidental Spillage.
Table 13.8 Summary of Impacts.
Table 14.1 Definition of Site Value for Geology and Soils.
Table 14.2 Impact Magnitude Criteria for Geology and Soils.
Table 14.3 Assessment of Significance Criteria for Geology and Soils.
Table 14.4 Standpipe – Ground Water Level Monitoring.
Table 16.1 Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan Policies.
Table 16.2 Midlothian Local Plan Policies.
Table 17.1 Environmental Impacts Table.
Table 18.1 Schedule of Environmental Commitments.

List of Appendices

Appendix 1 Summary of Consultation Responses.
Appendix 2 Traffic Flow Information for DMRB ‘Local’ Assessment.
Appendix 3 Traffic Flow Information for DMRB ‘Regional’ Assessment.
Appendix 4 The Air Quality Objectives as detailed in the Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations and 2002 (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2002.
Appendix 5 Air Quality Impact Assessment Methodology.
Appendix 6 Pathhead A68 Scheme DMRB Local Assessment.
Appendix 7 Pathhead A68 Scheme DMRB Regional Assessment.
Appendix 8 Ecological Target Notes and Species Lists.
Appendix 9 Typical Planting and Seeding Mixes.
Appendix 10 Traffic Data.
Appendix 11 Noise Predictions for Sensitive Receptors.
Appendix 12 Summary of Predicted Noise Levels 2010 and 2025. Do Minimum and Do Something Scenarios.
Appendix 13 British Geological Survey Geological Report.
Sensitive Species Report – Badger (Restricted Availability).

Produced for Transport Scotland

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June 2008