Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located along the A75 carriageway directly south of Dunragit, Dumfries and Galloway. The carriageway is immediately bordered by grasses, shrubs, hedgerows, and trees. A vehicle restraint system (VRS) is also located on the verge of the carriageway at various points along the scheme. The carriageway also traverses a trainline at NX 14498 57549.

The scheme is situated in a rural area with agricultural fields and pockets of woodland surrounding the carriageway in all directions. However, the small village of Dunragit is located to the north of the scheme (approximately 375m). The scheme is also relatively close to the sea, with the Luce Bay located approximately 2.5km to the south.

There are approximately 13 residential properties within 200m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 40m north on Station Cottages (NX 14763 57311). There are no non-residential sensitive air quality receptors within 200m of the scheme.

Baseline air quality in the area is primarily influenced by traffic using the A75, with additional contributions from agricultural activities. The nearest manual count point (10745), located along the A75 2.7km southwest, recorded an Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) of 7,099 in 2025, with 814 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Dumfries and Galloway Council have not designated any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). This indicates that local pollutant levels such as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) and Particulate Matter (PM₁₀, PM₂.₅) are currently within the acceptable limits. This is supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) UK Ambient Air Quality Map which presents predicted background air pollutant concentrations across the UK. According to the 2024 dataset, background annual mean NO₂, PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅ concentrations within the works area are 1.72 µg/m³, 7.53 µg/m³, and 4.01 µg/m³ respectively. These values are well within national AQMA qualifying thresholds of NO₂ and PM (40 µg/m³ each), indicating that pollutant levels within and immediately surrounding the scheme are currently within acceptable limits.

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) and no air quality monitoring stations are located within 1km of the scheme.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using PastMap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets of which there are five:

‘Ritual And Funerary Complex, 230m Se of Station House, Dunragit’ is a Scheduled Monument (ID: SM5852) located 15m north of the carriageway at its closest point.
This site comprises of a multi-period ritual and funerary complex visible as cropmarks on oblique aerial photographs and evidenced through excavation. The complex includes an early Neolithic cursus monument and pit alignment, a late Neolithic timber enclosure, a bronze age henge, two pit circles, and a number of round barrow.
Importantly however, no above ground structure is present and the field where the scheduled monument is located is used for arable farming. The site is also separated from the carriageway by a thick hedgerow.

‘Palisaded Settlements, Pit Defined Enclosure and Pit Defined Avenue, 250m S of Orchard’ is a Scheduled Monument (ID: SM5790) located 25m north of the carriageway at its closest point.
This site comprises of two pit-defined features (an enclosure and an adjacent avenue), two palisaded settlements, a single roundhouse, and a scattering of Roman quarry pits, all visible as buried archaeological features seen in oblique aerial imagery. These features date to several archaeological periods including the late Neolithic (3000 – 2500 BC), Bronze Age (2500 – 800 BC) Iron Age (800 BC - AD 400) and Roman (AD 77 – 211) periods.
Similar to the asset above, no above ground structure is present, and the field where the scheduled monument is located is used for arable farming.

‘Droughdool Mote, Ritual Mound’ is a Scheduled Monument (ID: SM2016) located 290m south of the carriageway. This site is a large flat-topped oval mound almost 10m high. It largely dates to the Late Neolithic period (3000 BC – 2500 BC) when it had a ritual function but has evidence of later phases of use.
‘Dunragit, Signal Box’ is a Category B Listed Building (ID: LB16766) located 170m northeast of the carriageway.
‘Dunragit, East Lodge’ is a Category B Listed Building (ID: LB16765) located 220m northeast of the carriageway.

There are no World Heritage Sites, Battlefields, or Conservation Areas located within proximity to the scheme.

A study area of 200m was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets of which there are over 20. Please see below for those within or directly adjacent to the carriageway:

‘Drumflower – Dunragit’ is a Historic Environment Record (HER) (ID: MDG5061). It is located within the carriageway and marks an old quarry road. This road has become the A75 carriageway.
‘Drumflower’ is a National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) (ID: 78917) and a HER (ID: MDG1296) located directly adjacent to the carriageway. However, no physical structure is present.
‘Cairnglen, Dunragit’ is an NRHE (ID: 180931) and HER (ID: MDG13012) located directly adjacent to the carriageway.
‘Dunragit’ is a NRHE (ID: 373465) and HER (ID: MDG4996) that is present within the scheme extents for approximately 500m. However, no physical structure is present.
‘Dunragit, Droughduil’ NRHE (ID: 300128) and HER (ID: MDG22034) that is located adjacent to the carriageway. It marks a Neolithic stone axehead that was found in 2013.

All of the NRHE and HER located within or adjacent to the carriageway stem from an archaeological evaluation that was carried out between 2012 and 2014 in preparation for the construction of the A75 carriageway. Areas of archaeological significance were investigated further with excavations undertaken.

Landscape and visual effects

Due to minimal vegetation screening along the verge, multiple properties will have a view of the works, particularly those along Station Cottages (closest 40m north). Properties located within Dunragit will also have a view of the works (closest 360m north).

There are two Core Paths within 300m of the scheme. Droughduil Wood (ID: OLDL/546/1) is an unpaved pathway located 330m south of the carriageway and Droughduil Primary School (ID: OLDL/570/2) is a paved pathway located 290m east. Users of these pathways will have a view of the scheme. There are no other pedestrian pathways that will have a view of the works.

National Cycle Network route 83 also runs parallel to the north of the scheme, located 25m from the carriageway at its closest point.

There are no Bridleways within 300m of the scheme location.

According to Scotland’s Environment Web Map, there are no National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or Gardens and Designed Landscapes located within 500m of the scheme extents. Furthermore, there are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within this boundary.

However, there are two Ancient Woodlands within proximity to the works. Fox wood (ID: 37060) is located 190m northeast of the scheme and an unnamed woodland (ID: 37063) is located 225m north.

Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment Map has highlighted that the land within the scheme has historically been used as ‘Rectilinear Fields and Farms’, ‘Opencast Site’, and ‘Holdings’. The land surrounding the scheme location has historically been used as ‘Plantation’, ‘Prehistoric and Undated Settlement and Agriculture – Cropmark’, ‘Roman Military Site - Cropmark’, and ‘Medieval/Post-medieval Ridge and Furrow - Cropmark’.

The Scottish Landscape Character Type (LCT) Assessment Map shows the landscape within the scheme extents is Coastal Flats – Dumfries and Galloway (LCT 158). This LCT extends from Luce Bay and Loch Ryan in the west to Gretna in the east. The LCT contains a variety of different character: coastal plain, estuarine flats, intimate coastal parkland, coastal moss, and merse. Although each of these nuances has a distinctive character, they share their lowland coastal location as a unifying influence overall. Much of the land is exposed, with long views across coastal flats as they merge into the tidal waters of the Solway.

Biodiversity

The Luce Bay and Sands Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (ID: 8641) is located 1.4km south of the scheme.

The Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren Special Protection Area (SPA) (ID: 8533) and Ramsar (ID: 8439) is also located 1.4km south of the scheme.

NatureScot’s Sitelink resource does not highlight any other European designated Sites designated for nature conservation within 2km or sharing connectivity with the scheme extents. Sitelink has also not identified the presence of any Local Nature Reserves within 1km of the scheme extents.

However, the Torrs Warren – Luce Sands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (ID: 1554) is located 750m south of the scheme.

As the scheme location falls within 2km of the Luce Bay and Sands SAC, and Loch of Inch and Torrs Warren SPA and Ramsar, a HRA Stage 1 was undertaken. The HRA concluded that the scheme does not carry the potential to cause Likely Significant Effects to the SAC, or the Torrs Warren – Luce Sands SSSI. This is due to the distance of the works from the designated sites and their relatively minor nature (like-for-like, no excavation, and contained to carriageway boundary with minimal verge works). Furthermore, the HRA states that any impacts on water, air, and noise will not occur as a result of standard control measures such as those found in the mitigation section.

Additionally, the scheme is located within the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere.

The NBN Atlas has records of multiple Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and target species within 500m of the scheme:

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica); and
Hollyberry cotoneaster (Cotoneaster bullatus).
Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius); and
Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra).

Importantly, there are no records of the aforementioned INNS or target species directly bordering the carriageway on the NBN Atlas.

However, a review of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool has identified one instance of both rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) along the verges of the A75 within the scheme extents.

The scheme area and surrounding habitats were assessed by a senior ecologist using available desktop resources, and it was determined that an ecological walkover of the site would be required. This decision was based on the scheme being located within an area that has the potential to house protected species, and as construction activities extend beyond the carriageway. The PEW also allowed surveyors to identify INNS and target species present within the scheme extents.

The survey was undertaken on the 28^thof September 2026 and identified the following ecological constraints immediately bordering the carriageway:

Mixed woodland (Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), silver birch (Betula pendula), alder (Alnus glutinosa), bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), English oak (Quercus robur), larch (Larix spp.), and fern species (Pteridophyta spp.)).
Mixed scrub (bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), gorse (Ulex europaeus), rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) and fern species (Pteridophyta spp)).
Modified grassland (ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), white clover (Trifolium repens), and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)).
INNS including:
Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) scattered between NX 14569 57501 and NX 14530 57542;
Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) at NX 14551 57547;
rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) at NX 14009 57818; and
cotoneaster (Cotoneaster spp.) at NX 14745 57224.

Geology and soils

NatureScot’s SiteLink confirms that there are no geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of the scheme extents. However, the Luce Sands Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) is located 440m south of the scheme. This site is designated for Holocene emerged gravel ridges but is also part of the Luce Bay and Sands SAC (see Biodiversity).

There are no landfill sites within 200m of the scheme extents according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPAs) Landfill sites and Capability Map. Additionally, the works are not located within Coal Mining Reporting Area as defined by the Coal Authority and Mining Remediation Authority, indicating no history of mining activity in the wider area.

The British Geology Viewer notes the soil geology within the scheme extents consists of the following:

Superficial deposits:

Glaciofluvial deposits-Gravel, sand and silt. These sedimentary deposits are glaciofluvial in origin and were formed during the Quaternary period.
Alluvium-Silt, sand and gravel. These sedimentary deposits are fluvial in origin and were formed during the Quaternary period.

Bedrock geology:

Loch Ryan Formation-Sandstone. These sedimentary rocks are fluvial in origin and were formed during the Permian period.

Scotland’s Soil Map indicates that the soil within the scheme consists of ‘Brown earths’ and ‘Alluvial Soils’. Furthermore, the national scale land capability for agriculture can be classed as ‘3.1’ capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and / or moderate yields of a wider range. This indicates that the ground surrounding the scheme cannot be classed as prime agricultural land.

All works are contained to the engineered layers of the existing carriageway with no excavation being undertaken. Works, including plant and machinery, will also be contained to existing infrastructure (carriageway, bollards, sign faces) with minor siding out, in resulting in limited potential for disturbance to geology and soils. The likelihood of accidental leaks and spills will be relatively minimal given mitigation measures present under Road Drainage and the Water Environment will be adhered to. As such, Geology and Soils has been scoped out of requiring further assessment in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and Soils.

Material assets and waste

The following materials will be required for construction:

TS2010 surface course;
AC20 Bituminous binder;
AC32 Bituminous base;
Vehicle fuel;
Road marking materials;
Road studs;
Sign faces;
Reflector strips;
Oil; and

Resurfacing will use Transport Scotland’s TS2010 hot-mix asphalt (HMA) specification with AC binder and base layers. TS2010 surface course allows a wider array of aggregate sources to be considered when compared to typical Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). As a result, the use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources.

All of the materials listed will contain a percentage of recycled material. For example, a proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% -15% with up to 10% in surface course. The rest of the materials will come from primary sources.

The waste produced by the scheme will consist of road planings (inert bituminous materials), Road Markings, Studs, Signs, Reflector Strips, and a small amount of siding out materials. Following on-site coring investigations and testing, coal-tar was not identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent.

This scheme is not in excess of £350K and therefore does not require a Site Waste Management Plant (SWMP).

Noise and vibration

For baseline data on the scheme’s immediate surroundings and wider context, please refer to ‘Air Quality’.

There are approximately 20 residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 40m north on Station Cottages (NX 14763 57311). There are no non-residential noise and vibration sensitive receptors within 300m of the scheme.

Baseline noise and vibration is primarily influenced by traffic using the A75, with additional contributions from agricultural activities. The nearest manual count point (10745), located along the A75 2.7km southwest, recorded an AADF of 7,099 in 2025, with 814 of these being HGVs.

The Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019 - 2023, the TNAP 2024 - 2028, and the Agglomerations Noise Action Plan for Scotland confirms that the scheme does not lie within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or one of Scotland’s five agglomerations (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, and Glasgow).

According to Scotland Noise Map, existing noise levels within the scheme extents range from approximately 68dB to 71dB (Lday) during daytime hours and from 64dB to 68dB (Lnight) at night. At the nearest identified receptor, a property located 40m north on Station Cottages, baseline noise levels are recorded at approximately 58dB during the day and 54dB during the night. These values provide a representative indication of current acoustic environment in the area.

Population and human health

A study area of 300m was applied, reflecting the like-for-like, transient and low risk nature of the works and their containment to the A75 carriageway boundary.

For baseline data on the scheme’s immediate surroundings and wider context, please refer to ‘Air Quality’.

There are approximately 20 residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 40m north on Station Cottages (NX 14763 57311). There are no non-residential sensitive receptors including, community assets, facilities, and businesses of note within 300m of the scheme.

There are two Core Paths within 300m of the scheme. Droughduil Wood (ID: OLDL/546/1) is an unpaved pathway located 330m south of the carriageway and Droughduil Primary School (ID: OLDL/570/2) is a paved pathway located 290m east. There are no other pedestrian pathways that will have a view of the works.

National Cycle Network route 83 also runs parallel to the north of the scheme, located 25m from the carriageway at its closest point.

There are no Bridleways within 300m of the scheme location.

There are no bus stops, street lighting, or laybys within the scheme extents. There is also no hard shoulder present for the length of the scheme.

Although three access roads are present within the scheme extents, these roads can also be accessed via alternative routes, and do not rely exclusively on the carriageway for access. Direct access to an agricultural field is also present within the scheme extents. However, similarly to above, the field has alternative access outwith the A75.

There is no direct access to any residential properties or community facilities within the scheme extents.

Road drainage and the water environment

According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPAs) Water Classification Hub, there are two designated watercourses within 500m of the scheme. The closest watercourse is Chlenry Burn (ID: 10487) which is located 30m west of the scheme where it passes under the carriageway. This river has ‘Good’ ecological health according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Importantly, on all Ordinance Survey Maps, this watercourse is called Ballancollantie Burn rather than Chlenry Burn. Chlenry Burn then flows into Piltanton Burn (ID: 10484) located approximately 400m southwest of the carriageway. This river has ‘Moderate’ ecological health according to the WFD.

In addition, there are multiple unnamed and undesignated small watercourses located in proximity to the carriageway, the closest being located 100m south of the carriageway. Three Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) balancing ponds are also located within 500m of the scheme, the closest being located 30m south of the carriageway. There are no further undesignated or unnamed watercourses within 500m of the works.

According to SEPA Flood Maps, Chlenry Burn and Piltanton Burn have a ‘High’ likelihood (10% annually) of flooding. However, this does not extend into the scheme extents. There is no part of the A75 carriageway within the scheme extents that is susceptible to surface water flooding, likely due to the SuDS balancing ponds and drainage systems present surrounding the carriageway.

Surface water runoff along the A75, within the scheme extents, is managed via filter stones located on the Eastbound verge of the carriageway. There is also a small section (150m) where filter stones are present on both verges. Groundwater within the scheme consists of both Stranraer Groundwater (ID: 150577), which has an overall ‘Poor Ecological Health’ according to the WFD, and Stranraer Sand and Gravel (ID: 150736) which has an overall ‘Good Ecological Health’.

According to the National Flood Risk Assessment (2025), the current cycle of flood risk management planning (2022 – 2028), and the future cycle (2028 - 2034), the scheme is also not located within a Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) for flood risk management within Scotland.

The works fall within the Stranraer Lowlands Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), indicating that the concentration of nitrates in the water is at risk of exceeding levels set by the European Commission’s Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC).

However, the works do not fall within a surface Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA). This highlights how according to the Water Environment (Drinking Water Protected Areas) (Scotland) Order 2005, there are no nearby surface water bodies that are designated for drinking water abstraction. The surface water within the scheme extents is also not intended to be used for drinking water. Consequently, there is no direct pathway for surface water pollution in the surrounding area to impact drinking waters. Importantly however, drinking water may still be abstracted from the ground under the scheme for which appropriate control measures will still be followed.

Climate

Carbon Goals

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 50% lower than baseline.
2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 60% 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, representing for 37% nationwide, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 50% by 2030. To support this, Transport Scotland’s Fourth Carbon Management Plan is committed to reaching Net Zero emissions across corporate activities by 2027. This will contribute to achieving 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 South West Network Management Contract (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.

Monitoring, Management and Opportunities

To support our journey towards carbon neutral and zero waste we include potential opportunities for enhancement utilising circular economy principals within assessment of material assets.

Amey (working on behalf of Transport Scotland) undertake carbon monitoring. Emissions from our activities are recorded using Transport Scotland’s Carbon Management System.

Further information identifying how Amey will obtain the above Carbon Goals can be viewed within the Carbon Management and Sustainability Plan Roadmap to net-zero: STRNMC – South West.

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