Description of Local Environment

Air quality

Receptors – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

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

The scheme lies within the boundary of Scottish Borders Council, which has no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within its boundary. The closest active AQMA, ‘High Street, Musselburgh’, lies within the boundary of East Lothian Council approx. 69km north of the scheme and has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for pollutant releases to air within 10km of the scheme within the last 10 years.

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A7 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from day-to-day woodland and agricultural land management activities.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools records no designated sites within 300m of the scheme extents.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, four undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest of which lies within the northern extents of the scheme:

  • Castleweary Historic Environment Record (HER), which relates to a possible Tower House (Medieval).

Construction of the A7 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.

While one UCHA is located within the scheme extents, the works will be restricted to the existing boundary and depth of the carriageway and will not be at risk of impacting this feature. Therefore, it is considered that there is no potential to impact upon cultural heritage and as such this topic has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

Landscape and visual effects

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

The Landscape Character Types (LCT) within the scheme extents are ‘Southern Uplands with Scattered Forest - Borders’ (no. 93) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The characteristics of which are:

  • Large-scale rolling landform with higher dome or cone-shaped summits.
  • Significant areas of peatland and heather moorland.
  • Mosaic of grassland, bracken and rushes on lower ground.
  • Locally-prominent scattered large areas of forestry.
  • Degree of remoteness, wild character and grandeur of scale unique within the region.

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

  • Managed woodland.
  • Rough grazing.
  • Rectilinear fields and farms.

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

  • ‘Class 5.3’ - Land capable of use as improved grassland. Pasture deteriorates quickly.

There are eight areas on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (approx. 4.6ha) lies adjacent to the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 1.6ha) lies adjacent to the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 0.7ha) lies adjacent to the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 2.4ha) lies approx. 10m northwest of the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 1.9ha) lies approx. 110m east of the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 0.7ha) lies approx. 124m west of the scheme.
  • Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (approx. 3.7ha) lies approx. 130m northwest of the scheme.
  • Wet woodland (approx. 0.8ha) lies approx. 153m northwest of the scheme.

In addition, four other areas of woodland lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Three areas of conifer woodland (approx. 8.7ha total) which lie adjacent to the scheme.
  • Broadleaved (approx. 1.3ha total), the closest of which is approx. 120m southeast of the southern scheme extents.

There are no areas of ancient woodland registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland within 300m of the scheme extents or trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) with connectivity to the scheme extents.

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 Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn which is spanned by the scheme forms part of the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC). In addition, the scheme lies within the buffer zone of the qualifying species of Langholm – Newcastleton Hills Special Protection Area (SPA).

Langholm – Newcastleton Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies approx. 5.2km southeast of the scheme.

There are no additional Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of the scheme extents.

The nearest record lies adjacent to the scheme extents (recorded 2017). The NBN atlas also 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. Only records with open-use attributions (OGL, CC0, CC-BY) were included in the search criteria.

An ecological survey was undertaken on 10th June 2025 to identify any potential ecological constraints associated with the works. All accessible areas of Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn within 200m of the scheme were surveyed. Habitats adjacent to the western extents of the scheme consist of scattered scrub with a mixture of conifer and broadleaved woodland. The eastern extents of the scheme consist of Scots pine plantation and native broadleaved woodland. Invasive native perennial rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) and injurious weed creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) are present throughout the verge of the scheme extents. Habitat where the Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn crosses the scheme consists of scattered scrub and livestock fields. Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn in proximity to the works is not likely to offer suitable rest site opportunities given the shallow height of the riverbanks. At the time of the survey, water levels were in spate due to heavy rainfall prior to the survey with the height of the river noted to be close to the top of the bank, which further reduces its suitability for rest sites. As such, no rest sites, or evidence were identified during the survey. However, the watercourse remains suitable to offer commuting and foraging opportunities for in proximity to the scheme. In addition, no invasive non-native species (INNS) and no other signs of protected or notable species identified during the survey.

A search of the NBN online mapping tool records no plant species 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 records no invasive non-native species (INNS), injurious weeds or invasive native perennials 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 are comprised of a homogenous managed areas of semi-improved grassland alongside sections of broadleaved woodland, tree lines and scrub. Roadside vegetation generally offers low ecological habitat due to its limited scale, fragmented nature and high potential for disturbance owing to cyclic 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, grassland surrounding the scheme forms a pattern of open and exposed fields containing arable land with conifer and broadleaved woodland bordering the scheme extents, as well as plantation. Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn runs parallel to the A7 within the scheme extents before being spanned by the southern extents of the scheme with Mare Sike, a tributary of Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn, located southeast of the scheme. In addition, Phaup Burn lies directly north of the scheme extents Watercourses and woodland surrounding the scheme are likely to offer suitable opportunities for a number of wildlife.

Geology and soils

The A7 within the scheme extents is not located within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS).

One Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) lies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Castleweary Quarry lies adjacent to the southbound carriageway within the scheme extents. The quarry is excavated into near-vertical Silurian Hawick Group (Llandovery) green, fine-grained greywackes with occasional siltstone beds and pink calcite veins. This quarry has the best examples in the Scottish Borders of giant flute casts, as well as many other interesting sole mark features.

Langholm – Newcastleton Hills SSSI lies approx. 5.2km southeast of the scheme and has been designated for a state of ‘Carboniferous – Permian Igneous’.

The National Soil Map of Scotland online mapping tool records that the generalised soil type beneath the scheme extents is categorised as:

  • Brown Soils.
  • Immature Soils.
  • Alluvial Soils.

The major soil group beneath the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Brown Soils.
  • Alluvial Soils.

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

  • Till, Devensian – Diamicton.
  • Alluvium – Silt, Sand and Gravel.

The bedrock geology within 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.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are required to resurface the worn carriageway and reinstate road markings. Materials used will consist of:

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

As the value of the scheme is greater than £350,000, a Site Waste Management Plan is required for these works.

The 1933m scheme involves removal of the surface course and localised areas of base and binder. In total, approx. 2795 tonnes of bituminous material (European Waste Catalogue Code: 17 03 02) will be removed from site, none 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 Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

The night-time modelled noise level (Lngt) ranges between 55 and 60 decibels (dB) within the scheme extents (Scotland’s Noise) and at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (residential properties).

The baseline noise and vibration in the scheme extents is primarily influenced by vehicles travelling along the A7 trunk road. Secondary sources most likely arise from day-to-day agricultural activities.

Population and human health

Three residential properties lie within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest of which lie approx. 26m east and west of the scheme. The residential property east of the scheme is partially screened by tree shelterbelt however, the property is in clear site of view from its entrance which lies on the A7. In addition, the residential property west of the scheme is not screened from the scheme. The remaining property lies approx. 200m southeast of the scheme and is fully screened from the scheme.

There are no non-user motorised (NMU) or community facilities with connectivity to the scheme extents. However, two residential access roads are present within the scheme extents.

Street lighting is not present throughout the scheme.

The A7, within the scheme extents, is a dual carriageway with the national speed limit applying throughout. The Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) flow is low (1,984 motor vehicles) (ID: JTC00045, 2025)).

Road drainage and the water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) River Basin Management Plan online mapping tool records one classified surface waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn is a river in the River Tweed catchment of the Solway Tweed river basin district (ID: 5259). The main stem is approximately 8.2km in length and runs parallel to the A7 before being spanned by the scheme at the southern The waterbody has been classified as being in ‘Poor’ condition.

Two unclassified surface waterbodies lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Phaup Burn is located immediately north of the northern scheme extents where it is spanned by the A7 and is separated from the trunk road by a kerbed grass verge and metal parapet. It is a tributary of the River Tweed Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn.
  • Mare Sike lies approx. 175m southeast of the scheme and is a tributary of the Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn.

A search of the SEPA’s Flood Map online mapping tool records that two areas on the A7 within the scheme extents are at a low – medium risk of surface water flooding (i.e., each year these areas have a 0.1% and 0.5% chance of flooding). However, Frostlie Burn / Linhope Burn, spanned by the scheme extents, is at a high risk of flooding (i.e., each year this area has a 10% chance of flooding).

A search of Scotland's Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the trunk road lies within two separate groundwater classifications, both of which have been classified as being in ‘Good’ condition:

  • Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick.
  • Teviotdale Sand and Gravel.

The scheme extents are not located within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

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).