A68 Soutra South to Oxton Road Improvement Scheme: Stage 3 DMRB Environmental Statement

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

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Contents

Non-technical Summary

Environmental Statement

1 Introduction
2 The Proposed Scheme
3 Approach and Methods
4 Consultations
5 Air Quality
6 Cultural Heritage
7 Land Use
8 Ecology and Nature Conservation
9 Landscape Effects
10 Traffic Noise and Vibration
11 Pedestrians, Cyclists, Equestrians and Community Effects
12 Vehicle Travellers
13 Road Drainage And The Water Environment
14 Geology and Soils
15 Disruption Due to Construction
16 Policies and Plans
17 Summary of Key Impacts
18 Schedule of Environmental Commitments
19 References

List of Figures

Figure 1.1 Location Plan.
Figure 2.1a Scheme Layout Drawing (Sheet 1 of 3).
Figure 2.1b Scheme Layout Drawing (Sheet 2 of 3).
Figure 2.1c Scheme Layout Drawing (Sheet 3 of 3).
Figure 5.1a Properties Located Within 200m of the Existing Alignment (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 5.1b Properties Located Within 200m of the Existing Alignment (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 5.2a Properties Located Within 200m of the Proposed Alignment (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 5.2b Properties Located Within 200m of the Proposed Alignment (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 6.1 Location of Cultural Heritage Features.
Figure 7.1 Land Owner and Occupier Information Plan.
Figure 7.2 Land Capability Plan.
Figure 8.1 Nature Conservation Designated Sites / Features.
Figure 8.2 Phase I Habitat Map.
Figure 8.3 Protected Species Map.
Figure 9.1 Landscape Features and Visual Receptors.
Figure 9.2 Indicative Landscape Plan (Sheet 1 of 3).
Figure 9.3 Indicative Landscape Plan (Sheet 2 of 3).
Figure 9.4 Indicative Landscape Plan (Sheet 3 of 3).
Figure 10.1 Existing and Predicted Total Traffic Flows In and Around Oxton with New Side Road.
Figure 10.2a Noise Sensitive Receptor Locations (Sheet 1 of 2).
Figure 10.2b Noise Sensitive Receptor Locations (Sheet 2 of 2).
Figure 10.3 Approximate Noise Monitoring Locations.
Figure 11.1 Pedestrian, Cyclist and Community Facilities.
Figure 11.2 Proposed D47-5 Side Road and Pedestrian Underpass.
Figure 11.3 Existing and Predicted Total Traffic Flows in and around Oxton with new Side Road.
Figure 11.4 The Preferred Scheme. Distance Changes to Post Office and School.
Figure 11.5 The Preferred Scheme. Distance Changes Northbound and Southbound – East.
Figure 11.6 The Preferred Scheme. Distance Changes Northbound and Southbound – West.
Figure 12.1 Vehicle Travellers – Views of the Existing Road.
Figure 13.1 Drainage Relief Plan.
Figure 13.2 Flood Risk Areas.
Figure 13.3 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 1 of 3).
Figure 13.4 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 2 of 3).
Figure 13.5 Preliminary Drainage Layout (Sheet 3 of 3).
Figure 14.1 Solid Geology.
Figure 14.2 Drift Geology.
Figure 14.3 Historical Mapping Epoch 1: 1843 to 1893.
Figure 14.4 Historical Mapping Epoch 2: 1891 to 1912.
Figure 14.5 Historical Mapping Epoch 3: 1904 to 1939.
Figure 14.6 Historical Mapping Epoch a5: 1966.
Figure 14.7 Geotechnical Investigation Standpipe Locations.

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 During Stages 1, 2 and 3.
Table 4.2 Key Consultee Issues at Stage 3.
Table 5.1 Annual Average Background Air Pollutant Concentrations for 2010 and 2025.
Table 5.2 Significance Criteria.
Table 5.3 Number of Properties and Distance from Affected Routes.
Table 5.4 Nitrogen Dioxide and Particulate Concentrations at Receptors within 200 metres of the Affected Roads.
Table 5.5 PM₁₀ Summary of Routes: The Aggregated Table.
Table 5.6 NO₂ Summary of Routes: The Aggregated Table.
Table 5.7 Regional Assessment of NO_x and PM₁₀.
Table 5.8 Regional Assessment of Carbon Dioxide.
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 Cultural Heritage Sites.
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 Land Use Impacts With and Without Mitigation.
Table 8.1 Stage 3 Species-specific Surveys Carried Out 2004 - 2005.
Table 8.2 Bird Species of Conservation Concern (BSoCC) in A68 Study Area.
Table 8.3 Summary of Features of Nature Conservation Value.
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 10.1 Indication of the range of common sound levels.
Table 10.2 Road Traffic Noise Assessment Significance Criteria.
Table 10.3 Methodology for Determining Sensitivity.
Table 10.4 Impact Significance Matrix.
Table 10.5 Noise Survey Results.
Table 10.6 Predicted Ambient Noise Levels for the 2010. Do Minimum Scenario.
Table 10.7 Predicted Ambient Noise Levels for the 2025. Do Minimum Scenario.
Table 10.8 Predicted Ambient Noise Levels for the 2010. Do Something Scenario.
Table 10.9 Predicted Ambient Noise Levels for the 2025. Do Something Scenario.
Table 10.10 Predicted Change in Ambient Noise Levels for the 2025. Design Year.
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 East of A68 to Key Facilities in Oxton.
Table 11.5 Changes in Distance from Properties to the A68 North and Southbound.
Table 12.1 Definition of Value of Views from the Road and Level of Driver Stress.
Table 12.2 Impact Magnitude Criteria for Vehicle Travellers.
Table 12.3 Impact Significance Criteria for Vehicle Travellers.
Table 12.4 Summary of Impact Before and After 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 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 Assessment of Pollution Impacts from Accidental Spillage.
Table 13.8 Impacts Upon Water Resources With and Without Mitigation.
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 Scottish Borders Structure Plan Policies.
Table 16.2 Ettrick & Lauderdale Local Plan Policies.
Table 17.1 Environmental Impacts Table.
Table 18.1 Schedule of Environmental Commitments.

List of Appendices

Appendix 1 Consultation Responses Summary Table.
Appendix 2 The UK National Air Quality Strategy and Air Quality Objectives.
Appendix 3 Results of the DMRB Air Quality Assessment.
Appendix 4 DMRB / TAG Quantitative Assessment.
Appendix 5 Regional Assessment.
Appendix 6 Assessment and Evaluation of Ecological Impacts - Methodology.
Appendix 7 Phase I Habitat Survey Report.
Appendix 8 Protected Species Survey Report.
Appendix 9 Fish Habitat Assessment Survey.
Appendix 10 River Geomorphological Survey.
Appendix 11 Traffic Data used for Noise Predictions.
Appendix 12 Noise Predictions.
Appendix 13 Water Quality Prediction.
Appendix 14 Accidental Spillage Calculation Sheet.
Appendix 15 Risk of Impact of Pollution from Groundwater from Routine Runoff.

Sensitive Species Report

Badger Annex (restricted distribution – bound separately).

Produced for Transport Scotland

Prepared by AMEC Earth & Environment (UK) Ltd in
association with Mouchel Scottish Borders Council and SIAS

tel 0131 625 2121
fax 0131 625 2122

August 2008