Description of Main Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation

Air Quality

Impacts

On site construction activities such as planing of the surface, and mobile machinery, have the potential to produce airborne particulate matter and generate emissions that may have a temporary negative impact on local air quality levels.
The implementation of TM during the scheme may lead to a temporary increase in vehicle emissions due to idling vehicles and increased congestion. However, no permanent changes to air quality are anticipated.
Taking into account the nature and scale of the works and the following mitigation measures below, the risk of significant impacts to air quality are considered to be low, and any impacts will be for the duration of the works only.
During construction there is the potential for an increase in dust and emissions from plant and machinery. This is likely to cause a slight deterioration in air quality within the local area. These impacts will last for the duration of the works only.
The proposed works will not have long-term impacts upon the Whirlies Roundabout AQMA.

Mitigation

Best practice and measures as outlined in the ‘Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction (January 2024)’ published by the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), which includes the following mitigation relevant to this scheme will be followed:

The site layout will be planned (including plant, vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)) so that machinery and dust causing activities are located away from receptors, as far as reasonably practicable;
Remove materials that have a potential to produce dust from site as soon as possible, unless being re-used on site (cover or fence stockpiles to prevent wind whipping);
Only use cutting, grinding or sawing equipment fitted or in conjunction with suitable dust suppression techniques such as water sprays or local extraction, e.g. suitable local exhaust ventilation systems;
Minimise drop heights from conveyors and other loading or handling equipment;
Ensure vehicles entering and leaving the work area are covered to prevent escape of materials during transport;
Ensure equipment is readily available on site to clean any dry spillages, and clean up spillages as soon as reasonably practicable after the event using wet cleaning methods; and
When not in use, plant, vehicles and NRMMs will be switched off and there will be no idling vehicles.
Plant, vehicles and NRMM will be regularly maintained, paying attention to the integrity of exhaust systems to ensure such fuel operated equipment is not generating excessive fumes.
Green driving techniques will be adopted, and effective route preparation and planning will be undertaken prior to works.
Where possible, materials will be sourced locally.
Surfaces will be swept where loose material remains following planing.

No significant effects are anticipated and no further assessment in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 105: Air Quality is required.

Landscape and Visual Effects

Impacts

Views of, and from the road will be temporarily affected during construction due to the presence of works, traffic management and plant. The works will be undertaken during night-time hours therefore the impacts on the views will be minimal.
As the works are minor, short duration, operate on a like-for-like basis and are confined to the existing A725 carriageway boundary, no permanent changes to landscape features and views are anticipated including no impacts on the TPO’s located 100m north.

Mitigation

During construction the site will be kept clean and tidy, with materials, equipment, plant and wastes appropriately stored, reducing the landscape and visual effects as much as possible.
Works will be confined to necessary areas and will avoid encroaching on land and areas where work is not required including for general operations, equipment/containers storage and parking.

In accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects, no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Impacts

Activities undertaken on site could potentially have a temporary adverse impact on biodiversity in the area as a result of an increased vehicle presence and the potential for disturbance to protected species, and pollution of habitats. However, works are restricted to the A725 carriageway boundary and the number of construction vehicles and construction operatives required onsite is low.
Any protected species in the area are likely to be accustomed to road noise on the A725 and the scheme is of relatively short duration. Therefore, with the following mitigation measures in place, the risk of significant impacts on biodiversity are considered to be low.
During night-time programming, a temporary short-term noise increases and misdirected site lighting from construction activities could cause disturbance to any surrounding protected species.
The target species located along the verge may be impacted by the siding out works undertaken at either side of the footway.

Mitigation

Site personnel will remain vigilant for the presence of any protected species, throughout the works period. In the unlikely event that protected species is noticed on site, works will be temporarily suspended. Any sightings will be reported to the Energy Transition & Sustainability Team.
Where lighting is required, hoods will be used and lights directed at works and away from sensitive ecological receptors, to minimise disturbance to nocturnal and protected species.
Effects from noise will be kept to a minimum through the use of appropriate mufflers and silencers fitted to machinery. All exhaust silencers will be checked at regular intervals to ensure efficiency.
Vehicles and materials will not be stored or parked on grass verges where possible. Where damage occurs, the reinstatement of the grass verge will be carried out.
The landscape team should be notified due to disturbance of the verge where target species are located.

With the above mitigation measures and best practice being adhered to, no significant effects are predicted on biodiversity.

Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 108: Biodiversity, no further assessment is required

Material Assets and Waste

Impacts

Transportation and recovery of materials or waste will require energy deriving from fossil fuel, a non-renewable source. Fossil fuels are finite resources, and their extensive use for energy-intensive processes like transportation accelerates their depletion.
The design life for the TS2010 surfacing proposed is estimated to be 20 years. This will reduce the requirement for maintenance to this section of road over the period, which will reduce the need for further materials and wastes.
Use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources thus reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
The works will result in contribution to resource depletion through use of virgin materials.
Non-recycled construction waste often ends up in landfills. Without recycling, the demand for virgin materials increases, putting pressure on natural reserves.
Landfills have limited capacity, and construction waste can quickly overwhelm them, creating a need for new landfill sites and reducing available land for other uses.

Mitigation

Materials will be derived from recycled, secondary or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions.
Where possible, materials will be obtained locally, and operatives deployed from the local depot where possible to reduce haulage and scheme associated journeys, reducing associated Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions.
Where possible all materials will be reused throughout the network, if not possible they will be recycled locally.
The contractor will adhere to waste management legislation and ensure they comply with waste management Duty of Care.
Uncontaminated road planings arising from the works will be fully recycled under a SEPA Paragraph 13(a) Waste exemption in accordance with guidance on the Production for Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings.
All waste leaving the site will be removed from site by a licence waste carrier. All waste documentation will be provided when requested.

It has been determined that the proposed project will not have direct or indirect significant effects on the consumption of material assets or creation of waste.

Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 110: Material Assets and Waste, no further assessment is required.

Noise and Vibration

Impacts

Construction activities associated with the proposed works have the potential to cause noise and vibration impacts to nearby noise sensitive receptors, through the use of paver planers and roller wagons during night-time hours.
TS2010 road surfacing is shown to have superior durability and noise reducing features compared to standard road surfacing mixes.
There are no anticipated impacts on noise and vibration following the completion of works.
Due to the working being short term and temporary, there will minimal impact on the CNMA within the scheme extents.

Mitigation

The Amey Environment team has contacted South Lanarkshire Council’s Environmental Health Team to notify of the works due to night-time programming.
The noisiest works (planing) will be completed before 23:00 where feasible.
A soft start to the works will be implemented, whereby plant/machinery is turned on sequentially as opposed to simultaneously.
Materials being dropped from height will be minimised.
Effects from noise will be kept to a minimum through the use of appropriate mufflers and silencers fitted to machinery. All exhaust silencers will be checked at regular intervals to ensure efficiency.
No plant, vehicles or machinery will be left idling when not in use. 
Amey’s environmental briefing on Noise and Vibration will be delivered to all site operatives before works start.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted on Noise and Vibration as the works will be transient.

Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 111: Noise and Vibration no further assessment is required.

Population and Human Health

Impacts

Construction site lighting during night-time hours could cause disturbance to residential properties in close proximity, and for the nearby amenity users.
No temporary or permanent land take is required, as all works will occur within the carriageway boundary.
Vehicle travellers and nearby receptors will benefit from reduced road noise due to the improved road surfacing delivered by the scheme.
Nearby residents of surrounding settlements may experience travel disruption due to presence of TM and a large diversion route, which may lead to increased journey times.
No impacts are anticipated on the bus stop and the core paths located within the scheme extents as they will remain open.

Mitigation

TM restrictions/arrangements and any expected travel delays will be publicised within the local and wider area via radio and letterbox drop, in an effort to minimise disturbance to vehicular travellers and agricultural businesses in the local area.
Temporary site lighting used throughout the scheme will be directional and pointed only at the area of works.
Site specific control measures regarding noise and vibration and air quality can be found in the relevant sections (above).
Local access will be granted at all times to properties using the A725 as access points within the scheme extents.

With mitigation measures in place, no significant effects associated with Population and Human Health are predicted.

Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 112: Population and Human Health no further assessment is required.

Road Drainage and the Water Environment

Impacts

In the event of a flooding incident, debris may be mobilised and could enter the road drainage having a detrimental effect on the surrounding local water environment.
Potential for spills, leaks or seepage of fuels and oils associated with plant to escape and reach drainage systems and watercourses if not controlled, which may negatively affect the distant water environment.
There are not anticipated to be any permanent impacts on road drainage or the water environment following the completion of works.

Mitigation

Appropriate measures will be implemented onsite to prevent any potential pollution to the natural water environment including debris, dust, and hazardous substances, including
Spill kits will be available at all times.
Funnels and drip trays will be used when transferring fuel etc.
No fuel will be stored onsite.
Any debris that could potentially be suspended in surface water and wash into the local water environment will be removed from the site during and after the works.
Visual pollution inspections of the working area will be conducted regularly, especially during heavy rainfall and wind conditions.
Weather reports will be monitored before and during all construction activities. In the event of adverse weather/flooding events, all activities will temporarily stop, and only resume when safe to do so, ensuring that run-off/drainage can be adequately controlled to prevent pollution.
Prior to works commencing, all operatives will be briefed on SEPA’s Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP) documents (particularly GPP 1, GPP 2, GPP 5, GPP 6, GPP 8, GPP 21 and GPP 22).
If the mixing of concrete on site is required, site operatives will apply suitable controls to prevent the mixture escaping to the surrounding environment.

Climate

Impacts

GHG emissions will be generated through the use of machinery, vehicles and materials (both recycled and virgin) required for the scheme, as well as through transportation to and from the site.

Mitigation

Local suppliers will be used as far as reasonably practicable to reduce travel time and GHG emitted as part of the works.
Vehicles/plant will not be left on when not in use to minimise and prevent unnecessary emissions.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, the residual significance of effect on climate is considered to be neutral.

Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 114: Climate, no further assessment is required.

Vulnerability of the Project to Risks

As the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the carriageway surface, there will be no change in vulnerability of the road to risk, or in severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.

It has been determined that the project is not expected to alter the vulnerability of the existing trunk road infrastructure to risk of major accidents or disasters.

Assessment Cumulative Effects

The Scottish Road Works Commissioner's Interactive Map and Amey's Current Programme of works has not highlighted any works during the proposed timescale and at the location of the proposed works.

A search on South Lanarkshire Planning Portal does not identify any works that will conflict with the proposed works.

As there are no other works being undertaken within close proximity to the scheme and within the same time period, no cumulative impacts are expected to occur.

The residual construction effects associated with Cumulative Impacts is considered not significant.

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