Description of local environment
Air quality
The scheme is located in an urban area, adjacent to the eastbound A726 carriageway through East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire. Mature deciduous trees and shrubs line both sides of the carriageway within the scheme’s boundaries. The broader area comprises residential properties forming the town of East Kilbride. There is open space surrounding the scheme extents taking the form of parks and gardens.
There are over 100 residential properties located within 200m of the scheme extents; the closest being located approximately 21m along Lindores Drive. Other sensitive air quality receptors consist of the following:
- East Kilbride Nature Park located approximately 87m north of the scheme extents.
- Westwood House Care Home – Sanctuary Care located approximately 44m south of the scheme extents.
- East Milton Primary School located approximately 154m south of the scheme extents.
- Premier Inn Glasgow East Kilbride Hotel located approximately 81m south of the scheme extents.
- Kirktonholme Nursery - East Kilbride located 148m north of the scheme extents.
Baseline air quality is primarily influenced by traffic along the A726 carriageway. Manual count point 90119, located within the scheme extents, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 12,681 with 312 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
Coca Cola, 52 Milton Road, East Kilbride site is located approximately 650m northwest of the scheme extents according to the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI). This site releases Carbon Dioxide and Hydrofluorocarbons.
South Lanarkshire Council have declared three Air quality Management Areas (AQMAs), however, all are situated out with 200m of the scheme extents.
There are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations located within 200m of the scheme extents.
Cultural heritage
A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap to identify cultural heritage assets within the vicinity of the scheme. A study area of 300m has been used for designated cultural heritage assets, and an area of 200m for non-designated cultural heritage assets.
The assessment found no designated sites within 300m of the scheme extents. However, non-designated cultural heritage assets within 200m are detailed in Table 1.
| Name | Reference Number | Description | Distance from Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Kilbride, Queensway, General | 251248 | Canmore - General View (Period Unassigned) | Within the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, East Milton Primary School | 169776 | Canmore - School (Period Unassigned) | Approx. 84m south of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, 152-156 Quebec Drive | 166189 | Canmore - House(S) (20th Century) | Approx. 80m south of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, 136-148 Quebec Drive | 166187 | Canmore - House(S) (20th Century) | Approx. 29m south of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, 50-96 Quebec Drive | 166188 | Canmore - Flats (20th Century) | Approx. 44m south of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, General | 170786 | Canmore - Burgh (Medieval), Town (20th Century) | Approx. 30m east of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride, Centre One, Government Offices | 205183 | Canmore - Office(S) (Period Unassigned) | Approx. 170 northeast of the scheme extents |
| East Kilbride | 44983 | Canmore - Coin (Roman) | Approx. 160m east of the scheme extents |
As works are minor in nature and are all contained within the grass verge, there will be no impact on any identified cultural heritage assets. Therefore, this aspect has been scoped out for further assessment.
Landscape and visual effects
Mature deciduous trees and shrubs line both sides of the carriageway within the scheme’s boundaries. The broader area comprises residential properties forming the town of East Kilbride. There is some open space surrounding the scheme extents taking the form of parks and gardens.
According to Scotland’s Environment Map, there are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), Gardens and Designed Landscapes, Ancient Woodland or any National Scenic Areas within 500m of the scheme extents.
Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment (HLA) Map has identified that the land within the scheme extents has been previously used as ‘Motorway and Major Roads’.
A search on Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map has highlighted that the LCT within the scheme extents along the A725 can be categorised as ‘0 – Urban’.
There are two footways adjacent to the scheme extents, these being Core Path EK/1031/1 and EK/1030/1. These footways are not Public Rights of Ways (PRoW).
The views from the carriageway are predominantly of mature trees. In areas where trees are sparse, residential properties become visible.
Multiple residential properties will have views of the works, particularly those along Lindores Drive and Falkland Drive, due to the lack of vegetation screening along the scheme extents. Residential properties are also located on an area of land that is of a greater elevation in comparison to the scheme extents, therefore, there is no natural topographic screening.
Biodiversity
A desktop study using NatureScot’s online research tool, Sitelink, has not highlighted any European designated sites within 2km of the scheme extents. However there is direct hydrological connectivity to the Inner Clyde Ramsar, (ID: 8429) and Special Protection Area (SPA), (ID: 8514), located approximately 20km northwest.
There are no national designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), within 200m of the scheme extents.
A search on the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas has not identified any protected species or any Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the works area.
Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) also does not highlight any INNS within the scheme extents.
Geology and soils
There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites or any Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)s that have connectivity or are within 200m of the scheme extents as noted by NatureScot’s Sitelink.
There is no soil data available within the scheme extents according to Scotland’s Soils Map, this is likely due to the scheme locations urbanised, built-up nature. The national land capability for agriculture within the scheme extents can be categorised a ‘888’ urban.
According to Britain’s Geology Viewer, the geology along the A726, within the scheme extents consists of the following:
Bedrock Geology
- Limestone Coal Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 329 and 328 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.
Superficial Deposits
- Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.
Material assets and waste
The proposed scheme does require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as the total value is over £350,000.
Tables 2 and 3 below outline the materials required for the scheme and waste expected to be produced during the works.
|
Activity |
Materials Required |
Sources |
|---|---|---|
|
Construction |
· Asphalt · Type 1 (loose rock) · Kerbs and slabs · Rosin for surface markings · Bollards · Potentially signs |
· 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. |
|
Activity |
Waste Produced |
Disposal |
|---|---|---|
|
Construction |
· Earth · Footpath surface (Asphalt) · Kerbs · Potentially old signs · Slabs · Vegetation (trees) |
· Wastes will be recycled as far as reasonably practicable. · Waste planings generated as a result of the required works, will be fully recycled in accordance with the criteria stipulated within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) document ‘Guidance on the Production of Fully Recoverable Asphalt Road Planings. · Vegetation will be disposed of at a licensed facility. |
Noise and vibration
There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents: the closest being located approximately 21m along Lindores Drive. Other sensitive noise and vibration receptors consist of the following:
- East Kilbride Nature Park located approximately 87m north of the scheme extents.
- Westwood House Care Home – Sanctuary Care located approximately 44m south of the scheme extents.
- East Milton Primary School located approximately 154m south of the scheme extents.
- Premier Inn Glasgow East Kilbride Hotel located approximately 81m south of the scheme extents.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located approximately 242m south of the scheme extents.
- Western Greenway South Park and Garden located approximately 211m south of the scheme extents.
- Kirktonholme Nursery - East Kilbride located 148m north of the scheme extents.
Baseline noise and vibration levels are primarily influenced by traffic along the A726 carriageway. Manual count point 90119, located within the scheme extents, shows that in 2024, the AADF for all motor vehicles was 12,681 with 312 of these being HGVs.
Scotland’s Noise Map has recorded that the noise level (Lday) during daytime hours ranges from approximately 62dB to 69dB. During nighttime hours, the noise level (Lngt), has been recorded to range from approximately 54dB to 60dB.
The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as highlighted by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2019-2023).
Population and human health
Due to the nature of the works, an area of 300m has been investigated to determine the population and human health baseline.
The land surrounding the scheme extents is predominately used for residential, recreational and community purposes.
There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being located approximately 21m along Lindores Drive. Other sensitive community receptors consist of the following:
- East Kilbride Nature Park located approximately 87m north of the scheme extents.
- Westwood House Care Home – Sanctuary Care located approximately 44m south of the scheme extents.
- East Milton Primary School located approximately 154m south of the scheme extents.
- Premier Inn Glasgow East Kilbride Hotel located approximately 81m south of the scheme extents.
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located approximately 242m south of the scheme extents.
- Western Greenway South Park and Garden located approximately 211m south of the scheme extents.
- Kirktonholme Nursery - East Kilbride located 148m north of the scheme extents.
There are no National Cycle Network Routes located within 300m of the scheme extents, however, there are non-designated cycleways surrounding the scheme extents.
There are multiple Core Paths within 300m of the scheme extents. Key core paths include the following:
- Core Path EK/1031/1 is located adjacent to the eastbound carriageway.
- Core Path EK/1030/1 is located adjacent to the westbound carriageway.
- Core Path EK/1234/1 runs over the scheme extents at NGR NS 62042 54388.
- Core Path EK/1222/2 is located adjacent to the eastbound carriageway.
- Core Path EK/1206/2 is located adjacent to the westbound carriageway.
- Core Path EK/1240/1 runs through the scheme extents at NGR NS 62370 54256.
There are two footways adjacent to the scheme extents, these being Core Path EK/1031/1 and EK/1030/1. These footways are not Public Rights of Ways (PRoW).
Multiple laybys are located within the scheme extents. Streetlights border either side of the A726 carriageway.
There are four bus stops located within the scheme extents. These run routes to and from Strathaven.
Road drainage and the water environment
According to SEPA’s Water Classification Hub, there are no watercourses located within 500m. However, Kittoch Water, an unclassified watercourse is located approximately 432m north of the scheme extents. An unnamed tributary of this watercourse flows through the scheme extents at NGR NS 62264 54296.
SEPA’s Flood Risk Map has indicated that there are multiple areas within and directly around the scheme extents that have a high (10%) chance of surface water flooding.
Groundwater within the scheme extents consists of East Kilbride groundwater, (ID: 150590), which has an overall poor quality.
The works do not fall within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).
The drainage method within the scheme extents consists of gullies, filter stones and catchpits.
Climate
The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.
The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act). The budgets are as follows:
- 2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 57% lower than baseline.
- 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 69% lower than baseline.
- 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
- 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.
These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.
Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.
Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040.
Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the SW NMC network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the SW NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.
Policies and Plans
This Record of Determination (RoD) has been undertaken in accordance with Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (RSA EIA Regulations) along with Transport Scotland’s Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance (Guidance – Environmental Impact Assessments for road projects (transport.gov.scot)). Relevant guidance, policies and plans accompanied with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)) LA 101 and LA 104 were used to form this assessment.