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:

  • The works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of the carriageway surface on the A7 carriageway. These are relatively minor works which are restricted to areas of made/engineered ground on the A7 trunk road boundary.
  • The works will be undertaken on a rolling schedule, minimising the impact to any one area, and any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, not significant, and limited to the construction phase.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low and by removing the carriageway defects, this will provide this section of the A7 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 is located on the A7 carriageway, north of the village of Langholm.
  • The scheme is located within 2km of the Langholm – Newcastleton Hills SPA and has hydrological connectivity with the Solway Firth SAC and SPA, and Upper Solway Flats and Marshes Ramsar Site. However, a HRA has been undertaken, which confirmed the works will not result in LSE on any of the qualifying features.
  • While the Highmill Bridge is a Category B Listed Building, the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the existing carriageway surface and will not have the potential to impact upon the character of the bridge.
  • The scheme is not located within any areas designated for landscape, geological or soil interests.
  • The scheme will not require any private land acquisition, and land use will not change as a result of the works.
  • 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.
  • The works are programmed to take five nights to complete on a rolling programme, 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.