Description of main environmental impacts and proposed mitigation

Air quality

Impacts

  • TM implemented during the scheme may result in an increase in vehicle emissions through idling vehicles and increased congestion. This may result in a temporary deterioration in local air quality. 
  • During construction, including removal of old road surface, there is the potential for an increase in dust and emissions from plant and machinery and an increase in airborne particulate matter. This is likely to cause a slight deterioration in air quality within the local area and cause a nuisance to local receptors.
  • Due to the diversion route being during nighttime hours, residents along the diversion route roads may experience a deterioration in air quality due to the increased volume of traffic.
  • The impacts identified will be temporary for the duration of the works only and therefore no change is predicted on air quality. 
  • Post construction there will be no change to the traffic volume, speed or road alignment as works are like-for-like.

Mitigation

The Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction (2024), published by the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), includes the following mitigation relevant to this scheme:

  • All vehicles will switch off engines when stationary; there will be no idling vehicles.
  • 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.
  • All plant and fuel-requiring equipment utilised during construction will be well maintained in order to minimise emissions.
  • Planing operations will be wetted to reduce dust arising.
  • Drop heights to haulage vehicles will be minimised where practicable.
  • Lorries will be sheeted when carrying dry materials.
  • Surfaces will be swept where loose material remains following planing.
  • Green driving techniques will be adopted, and effective route preparation and planning undertaken prior to works.
  • Plant, vehicles and NRMM should be regularly maintained, paying attention to the integrity of exhaust systems to ensure such fuel operated equipment is not generating excessive fumes.

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

Landscape and visual effects

Impacts

  • There will likely be a short-term impact on the landscape character and visual amenity of the site as a result of the presence of construction plant, vehicles, and TM.
  • Views of and from the carriageway will be temporarily affected during construction due to the presence of works, TM and plant.

Mitigation

  • Throughout all stages of the works, 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. 
  • Plant, vehicles, and materials will be contained to hardstanding areas within the carriageway boundary (as far as reasonably practicable). Should damage to the landscape occur, reinstatement will be carried out. 

With mitigation measures and best practice in place, it is anticipated that any landscape and visual effects associated with the works will not be significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects, no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Impacts

  • An increase in noise levels and misdirected site lighting has the potential to disturb any protected species nearby.
  • Any disturbance to the verge of the A737, where INNS are located, works have an increased potential to cause the spread of Transport Scotland target species.
  • There is potential for connectivity to the Black Cart Water SPA.

Mitigation

  • Due to night-time programming, where lighting is required, hoods will be used and lights directed at works and away from ecological receptors including any watercourses, to minimise disturbance to nocturnal species.
  • 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.
  • ‘Soft start’ techniques will be utilised with noise heavy equipment/plant/machinery in order to avoid disturbance to any potential noise sensitive species present in the area.
  • As part of the NMC contract, Amey, on behalf of transport Scotland, has been asked to keep a record of various INNS and target species, including rosebay willowherb. Works will not be carried out in the carriageway verge where these are present, if this is not possible and works are likely to result in the spread of this species through disturbance, Amey’s Landscaping Team will be consulted.
  • A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was undertaken and has concluded that there will be no Likely Significant Effects (LSE) on Black Cart Water SPA due to:
    • No reduction in habitat area, with all works confined to the existing carriageway boundary.
    • No change in the level of disturbance to key species as a result of the works.
    • No increased habitat or species fragmentation.
    • The proposed works will not cause any obstruction to the passage of the birds.

With the above mitigation measures and best practice being adhered to, no significant effects on biodiversity are anticipated. 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/waste will require energy deriving from fossil fuel, a non-renewable source.
  • 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.
  • The works will result in contribution to resource depletion through use of virgin materials.
  • There will be an increase in waste sent to landfill sites if waste materials are not recycled or reused.

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.
  • Materials will be delivered on site when required.
  • The Contractor will comply with all ‘Duty of Care’ requirements, ensuring that any surplus materials or wastes are stored, transported, treated, used, and disposed of safely without endangering human health or harming the environment. All waste transfer notes and/or waste exemption certificates will also be completed and retained.
  • 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.
  • Use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources thus reducing GHG emissions.
  • Where possible all materials will be reused throughout the network, if not possible they will be recycled locally at a suitably licenced waste management facility.

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

  • There will be an increase in noise and vibration levels, for properties within 300m, particularly those along Kintyre Avenue, during construction due to the use of heavy plant and machinery, such as the roller, and an increase in HGVs.
  • TS2010 road surfacing is shown to have superior durability and noise reducing features compared to standard road surfacing mixes. Vehicle travellers and nearby receptors will benefit from the improved road surfacing as a result of the scheme.
  • The works are not likely to change the existing baseline noise level post construction for any sensitive receptors.
  • Due to the diversion route during nighttime hours, residents along the diversion route roads may experience an increase in noise and vibration due to the increased volume of traffic.

Mitigation

  • Site supervisor will monitor the effects of noise and vibration levels during the works and make necessary working arrangements.
  • On-site construction tasks will be programmed to be as efficient as possible, with a view to limiting noise disruption to local sensitive receptors. The noisiest works will be undertaken before 23:00 where possible.
  • 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.
  • A ‘soft start’ to works will be in place, whereby plant/machinery/vehicles are started sequentially as opposed to simultaneously.
  • Due to nighttime programming, Amey’s Energy Transition & Sustainability Team has notified Renfrewshire Council in advance of the works.
  • A letter drop will be delivered to residents within 300m to notify them of upcoming works, timings and duration.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, and due to the works being of a minor, temporary, transient nature, no significant effects are predicted for noise and vibration. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 111: Noise and Vibration no further assessment is required.

Population and human health

Impacts

  • Land take is not required for this scheme therefore there will be no impact as a result of permanent or temporary land acquisition from private land, businesses, agriculture, Walkers, Cyclists or Horse riders (WCH) and/or community facilities as a result of the scheme.
  • TM has potential to cause temporary levels of disruption to road users (i.e. congestion and increased journey lengths and travel times). 
  • Access to residential properties will not be impacted by the works.
  • Due to night-time programming, construction site lighting during night-time hours could cause disturbance for residential properties in close proximity, and for the nearby amenity users.
  • Works will be restricted within the carriageway boundary, therefore will not impact any core paths or cycleways.

Mitigation

  • TM restrictions/arrangements and any expected travel delays will be publicised within the local and wider area, in an effort to minimise disturbance to vehicular travellers.
  • Temporary site lighting used throughout the scheme will be directional and pointed only at the area of works.

With best practice 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

  • If not adequately controlled, debris and run off from the works could be suspended in the surface water. In the event of a flooding incident or heavy rainfall, this debris may be mobilised and could enter the road drainage having a detrimental effect on the surrounding local water environment, in particular Black Cart Water.
  • 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 adversely impact the water environment.
  • Should flooding occur, this may delay the scheduled works.

Mitigation

  • All debris which has the potential to be suspended in surface water and wash into the local water environment will be cleaned from the site following the works.
  • Debris and dust generated as a result of the works will be prevented from entering the drainage system. This can be via the use of drain covers or similar.
  • Appropriate measures will be implemented onsite to prevent any potential pollution to the natural water environment (e.g., debris, dust, and hazardous substances). This will include spill kits being present onsite at all times, and the use of funnels and drip trays when transferring fuel etc.
  • The control room will be contacted if any pollution incidences occur (24 hours, 7 days a week).
  • Visual pollution inspections of the working area will be conducted in frequency, especially during heavy rainfall and wind.
  • Weather reports will be monitored prior and during all construction activities. In the event of adverse weather/flooding events, all activities will temporarily stop, and only reconvene when deemed safe to do so, and run-off/drainage can be adequately controlled to prevent pollution.
  • Site operatives will be given the Water Pollution Prevention toolbox talk prior to works.

Providing all works operate in accordance with current best practice, as detailed within SEPA’s GPPs, the effects on Road Drainage and the Water Environment are considered not significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 113: Road drainage and the water environment no further assessment is required.

Climate

Impacts

  • GHG emissions will be emitted through the use of machinery, vehicles and materials used (containing recycled and virgin materials) and transporting to and from 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.
  • Further actions and considerations for this scheme are detailed in the above Material assets and waste section.

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 resurfacing of the carriageway with minor vegetation cutback, 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.

All mitigation measures will be adhered to onsite which considers the vulnerability of the project to be low.

Improvement of the road surface following carriageway resurfacing works will enhance skid resistance, and thus overall road safety on completion of the scheme.

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

According to Amey’s Current Works Schedule and the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, there are no works scheduled to be carried out within the proposed works time and location.

Renfrewshire Council’s Planning Portal does not indicate any works will conflict with proposed works’ location and timings.

Any future schemes will be programmed to take into account already programmed works, and as such any effect (such as from TM arrangements and potential construction noise) will be limited.

Overall, it is unlikely the proposed works will have a significant cumulative effect with any other proposed works in the local area. Considering the nature and scale of the maintenance works being undertaken, no in combination effects are anticipated.