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 and are also situated in part in the River Tweed SAC which is a sensitive area within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999

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:

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of worn/damaged road surface, with all works restricted to made ground on the A7 carriageway surface.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area.
  • 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.
  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, not significant, and limited to the construction phase.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme spans the River Tweed SAC, however a HRA has been undertaken which has confirmed that the works will not result in AESI on the qualifying features of the SAC.
  • The scheme lies within the buffer zone of Langholm – Newcastleton Hills SPA and associated SSSI, however a HRA has been undertaken which has ruled out LSE on the qualifying features.
  • The scheme does not lie within any sites of historical, cultural, or archaeological significance.
  • Land use will not change as a result of the works.
  • The works do not require any private land acquisition.
  • The scheme is not located within a densely populated area.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:

  • The scheme does not lie within any sites of historical, cultural, or archaeological significance.
  • Land use will not change as a result of the works.
  • The works do not require any private land acquisition.
  • The scheme is not located within a densely populated area.