Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located along a rural section of the A77 NB and SB carriageways, northeast of Monkton in South Ayrshire. The immediate area is partially bordered by mature deciduous trees, while in areas with sparse vegetation, large adjoining agricultural fields are visible.

Baseline air quality is predominantly influenced by traffic flow along the A77, with secondary sources from agricultural activities. Manual count point 10750, located approximately 93m southeast of the scheme, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was counted at 33,074 with 1,576 (4.77%) Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

There are no residential properties located within 200m of the scheme extents. The nearest main town is Monkton, located approximately 202m to the west. Sensitive receptors include Premier Inn Ayr/Prestwick Airport Hotel is located approximately 73m southwest of the scheme extents and the Dutch House Caravan Park located 152m southwest of the scheme.

South Ayrshire Council have not declared any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). There are no real-time Air Quality Monitoring Stations (Air Quality in Scotland) or any sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) located within 1km of the works area.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap online mapping tool. The study area covered a 300m radius for designated cultural heritage assets and a 200m radius for non-designated cultural heritage assets. Full details of designated and non-designated assets can be found in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

Table 1: Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 300m
Name Reference number Description Distance from scheme
Macrae's Monument LB14253 Listed Building - Cat A Approx. 280m west of the scheme extents
Table 2: Non-Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 200m
Name Reference number Description Distance from scheme
Dutch House Roundabout 315258 Canmore - Field Boundary(S) (Period Unassigned) Approx. 110m west of the scheme extents
Prestwick, Mill Dams 204993 Canmore - Dam (Period Unassigned), Mill (Period Unassigned) Approx. 70m east of the scheme extents
Prestwick, Mill Dams / Powbank Mill; Millers Dam 42128 Historic Environment Record (HER) - Industrial; Dam; Mill Approx. 70m east of the scheme extents
Historic Environment Assessment: Monkton, South Ayrshire 4890 HER - Archaeological Event Record Adjacent to the scheme extents
Archaeological Evaluation: Tarbolton Road, Monkton - Phase 1 6701 HER - Archaeological Event Record Approx. 77m southwest of the scheme extents
Archaeological Evaluation: Park & Ride, Monkton, South Ayrshire 4228 HER - Archaeological Event Record Approx. 50m northwest of the scheme extents
Desk- Based Assessment: Land At Kilmarnock Road, Monkton 6683 HER - Archaeological Event Record Approx. 50m northwest of the scheme extents
Dutch House Roundabout 90662 HER - Field Boundary(s) (Period Unassigned) Approx. 95m west of the scheme extents

No World Heritage Sites or Inventory Battlefields are recorded within 300m of the scheme extents.

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

The scheme lies within a rural setting, characterised by large areas of agricultural land, with some areas partially bordered by mature deciduous trees.

Scotland’s Environment Database has identified the following Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) sites within 500m of the scheme extents:

  • Unnamed Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26134), is located approximately 83m north of the works.
  • Crow Wood Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26137), is located approximately 341m northeast of the scheme extents.
  • Unnamed Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26142), is located approximately 447m southeast of the works.

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), or any National Scenic Areas (NSAs) located 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’.

Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map has highlighted that the LCT within the scheme extents, along the A77, can be categorised as ‘66 - Agricultural Lowlands - Ayrshire’ characterised by the following:

  • Dense network of often very rural minor roads.
  • Several major road corridors.
  • Number of larger towns and villages with historic cores surrounded by more modern development.
  • Settlement pattern historic in origin based upon larger, more self-contained farmsteads set in a hinterland of fields.
  • Fields often regular in shape and enclosed by beech or hawthorn hedges.
  • Landcover is predominantly pastoral, with some arable on lower and better soils.
  • Generally small to medium scale landscape.
  • Complex landform.

Visual

Due to the limited presence of vegetative screening along the scheme extents, several residential properties particularly those situated along Wellington Road are anticipated to experience views of the proposed works. The study area contains no other receptors with visual sensitivity.

Core Path SA8 is located approximately 45m north of the scheme extents. This path is not expected to have views of the works.

Transient visual receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A77, who will experience brief and intermittent views of the scheme. Typically, the views from the carriageway are sporadic small pockets of woodland, with agricultural fields in the wider area.

Biodiversity

Protected areas

There are no local, national or European designated biodiversity sites located within 2km, or with hydrological connectivity to the scheme. Additionally no Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Local or National Nature Reserves, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) or Ramsar sites have been identified within 200m (Sitelink).

Scotland’s Environment Database has identified the following landscape features within 500m of the scheme extents:

  • Unnamed Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26134), is located approximately 83m north of the works.
  • Crow Wood Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26137), is located approximately 341m northeast of the scheme extents.
  • Unnamed Ancient Woodland, (ID: 26142), is located approximately 447m southeast of the works.

No Tree Preservation Orders are located within 500m of the scheme extents.

Field survey

An ecological field survey has been scoped out by a qualified ecologist due to the transient nature of the works and their containment within the trunk road boundary, indicating a low likelihood of significant ecological impact.

Invasive plants

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) and National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas has recorded Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), an injurious weed and Transport Scotland (TS) target species along the verge of SB and NB A77 carriageway within the extents of the scheme.

No Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are recorded within 500m of the scheme extents.

Geology and soils

Geology

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites or any Geological SSSIs that have connectivity or are within 200m of the scheme extents as noted by NatureScot’s Sitelink.

According to Britain’s Geology Viewer, the geology along the A77, within the scheme extents, consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

  • Prestwick-mauchline Sill-complex - Analcime-microgabbro, olivine. Igneous bedrock formed between 66 and 23.03 million years ago during the Palaeogene period.

Superficial Deposits

  • Till - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.

Soils

Scotland’s Soils Map has identified that the soil type within the scheme extents consists of ‘Non calcareous gleys’.

Land use

The national scale land capability for agriculture can be classed as ‘3.2’ within the works area. This land is capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common.

There are no operational landfill sites located within 1km of the scheme extents.

Material assets and waste

Key Material Required for Activities

Construction

  • TS2010 Surface Course
  • AC20 Bituminous Binder
  • AC32 Bituminous Base
  • White lining
  • Road studs and paint
  • Fuels and oils
Sources
  • 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.
  • 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.

Materials will be obtained from recycled, secondary, or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions. For example, the binder and base courses used for resurfacing will contain a percentage of recycled material.

Key Waste Produced by Activities

No coal tar was identified during investigation stages. Anticipated wastes from the proposed works are listed below.

Construction

  • Asphalt planings
  • Old road studs and paint

Disposal

  • Uncontaminated road 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.
  • At this time surfacing may be planed and reused in-situ, ex-situ or recovered as a feedstock in the manufacture of new surfacing material or other products.
  • Paint will be disposed of as special waste.

The proposed scheme does not require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as the total value is under £350,000.

Noise and vibration

The scheme is located in a predominantly rural area, where the baseline noise levels are primarily influenced by traffic on the A77, with secondary sources from agricultural activities and Glasgow Prestwick Airport located 449m south of the works. For the AADF details, please refer to the Air Quality section above.

Over 100 properties are situated along the diversion route, with the nearest located directly adjacent to the edge of the carriageway.

Scotland’s Noise Map has shown that the noise level (Lden) during daytime hours, recorded 50m from the carriageway, is 60dB, the noise level within the scheme extents has been recorded to be 75dB. During nighttime hours, the noise level (Lnight) recorded 50m from the carriageway, is 60dB, the noise level within the scheme extents has been recorded to be 69dB.

The works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2019-2023).

Population and human health

The primary land use within the surrounding area is used for agriculture, community and residential purposes. There are approximately 20 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being 202m west. Other sensitive receptors include the Premier Inn Ayr/Prestwick Airport Hotel located approximately 73m southwest of the scheme extents and the Dutch House Caravan Park located 152m southwest of the scheme. The closest town is Monkton located approximately 202m west at the closest point.

There are over 100 properties located along the diversion route, the closest being located adjacent to the carriageway boundary.

There are no direct access/egress points to any residential properties or community facilities within the scheme extents. However, the A77 carriageway within the scheme extents, is a main point of connection to the Premier Inn Ayr/Prestwick Airport Hotel and the Dutch House Caravan Park.

Core Path SA8 is located approximately 45m north of the scheme extents.

There are no National Cycle Network Routes, or any bridleways located within 300m of the scheme extents.

There are no footways, bus stops, streetlights, or any Public Rights of Way (PRoW) located within the scheme extents. Two laybys are located adjacent to the scheme extents at NGRs NS 36775 28469 and NS 36717 28509.

The works will be fully contained within the carriageway boundary, requiring no land take from residential, agricultural, business, or community land, and furthermore will not impact access or egress to any such land.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

Pow Burn, (ID: 10746), classified under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (SEPA’s Water Classification Hub) is located 71m southeast of the scheme extents. The watercourse is currently assessed as having a moderate overall ecological potential. Dow’s Burn, an unclassified watercourse, is located approximately 284m northwest of the scheme extents. There are no other classified or unclassified watercourses within 500m or any ponds within 250m of the works.

Drainage within the scheme extents, along the A77, consists of filter stones.

Flood risk

SEPA’s Flood Risk Map has identified localised areas within the scheme extents of both carriageways that are susceptible to a low to high (0.1%-10%) chance of surface water flooding. Pow Burn has a high (10%) chance of river water flooding; however, this does not flow within the scheme extents.

Groundwater

The scheme lies within Ayr groundwater body, (ID: 150669), which was classified as having an overall poor condition under the WFD (SEPA Water Classification Hub)).

The works do not fall within a Scottish Government Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

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 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 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. 

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.