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 the 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.
Residents along the diversion route roads may experience a deterioration in air quality due to the increased volume of traffic, particularly those located adjacent to the carriageway boundary.
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

Mitigation measures will follow best practice from the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), from the ‘Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction (2024)’,including:
Site layout will be planned (including plant and vehicles) so that machinery and dust causing activities are located away from receptors, as far as reasonably practicable;
Materials that have a potential to produce dust, such as excavated material, will be removed from site as soon as possible, unless being re-used on site;
Any stockpiled excavated material will be covered to fenced to prevent wind whipping;
Drop heights from conveyors and other loading or handling equipment will be minimised;
Vehicles entering and leaving the work area will be covered/sheeted to prevent escape of materials during transport;
Equipment will be 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.
The following additional mitigation measures will be implemented:

Green driving techniques will be adopted, and effective route preparation and planning undertaken prior to works.
Plant, vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) will 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.

Cultural heritage

Impacts

There are no designated cultural heritage features within the scheme extents, and no land acquisition is required.
All works are confined to the existing carriageway surface, and due to the limited nature and scale of the activities, significant vibration effects are not anticipated. Consequently, no impacts are anticipated on the listed building located 280m from the scheme extents.
The non-designated assets listed in Table 3 are not expected to be impacted, as the works involve like-for like resurfacing. Additionally, the original construction of the A77 is likely to have removed any archaeological remains. Overall, the potential for uncovering new assets is considered low.

Mitigation

The following mitigation measures will be in place throughout the period of works:

All plant and machinery will be stored within the carriageway boundary where practicable.
If any archaeological finds are discovered, the works will be suspended, and the relevant stakeholders will be contacted.

No significant effects are anticipated to cultural heritage. Therefore, in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 106: Cultural Heritage, no further assessment is required.

Landscape and visual effects

Impacts

There will be no operational impacts on visual receptors as works entail the like-for-like resurfacing of the A77 carriageway within the scheme extents.
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 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.
Temporary site lighting will be directional and pointed at the works area only.

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 from construction activities and misdirected site lighting has the potential to disturb any protected species within the scheme surroundings.
Works will be confined to the carriageway boundary, involving like-for-like carriageway resurfacing with no site clearance or earthworks. As such, there is limited potential to spread or introduce INNS or target species.
As works will be contained within the carriageway boundary, the Ancient Woodlands and watercourses listed above will likely not be impacted significantly.

Mitigation

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

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 woodland areas and 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 Network Management 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.
Should a protected species be spotted during construction, works will stop, and the Amey ET&S Team will be contacted.
Additional pollution prevention measures are detailed in the Road Drainage and the Water Environment section.

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.

Geology and Soils

Impacts

All works are contained to the engineered layers of the existing carriageway, resulting in limited potential for soil disturbance.
There will be no impacts upon the surrounding agricultural land.
There is a potential for soils from accidental spills or leaks of fuels and oils from construction plant and machinery. However, with mitigation in place the impact is considered minor and temporary.

Mitigation

The following mitigation measures will be in place during the works:

Vehicles and materials will not be stored or parked on grass verges where possible. Where damage occurs, reinstatement will be undertaken.
Pollution prevention measures outlined in the Road Drainage and the Water Environment section will be followed during construction.
In the event of a major spill, SEPA will be contacted.

With mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated on geology and soils. Therefore, in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and Soils 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.
There is potential for the works to contribute to resource depletion through use of transportation of primary materials such as aggregates.
There will be an increase in waste sent to landfill sites if waste materials are not recycled or reused.

Mitigation

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
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 all materials will be reused throughout the network, if not possible they will be recycled locally at a suitably licenced waste management facility.
Materials will be delivered on site when required.
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.

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

Noise and vibration levels are expected to increase during nighttime construction hours for properties within 300m of the scheme and those near the diversion route, particularly those adjacent to the diversion route carriageways. This is due to the use of heavy plant and machinery, such as rollers, and increased HGV movements. However, these levels are not anticipated to significantly exceed existing ambient conditions or cause notable disturbance.
TS2010 road surfacing offers enhanced durability and noise reducing properties compared to standard surfacing materials. As a result, both road users and nearby receptors are expected to benefit from the improved surface quality over the long term.
Post- construction, the works are not expected to alter existing baseline noise levels for any sensitive receptors.

Mitigation

Mitigation measures follow Best Practicable Means as outlined in British Standard (BS) 5228:2009+A1:2014. The standard provides specific detail on suitable measures for noise control in respect to construction operations, for example:

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.
The site supervisor will monitor the effects of noise and vibration levels during the works and make necessary working arrangements.

The following further mitigation measures related to noise and vibration will be in place:

Amey’s Energy Transition & Sustainability Team has notified South Ayrshire 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.
Amey’s environmental briefing on Noise and Vibration will be delivered to site operatives prior to construction.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, and due to the works being of a minor, 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

During construction access to residential properties will not be restricted by the works.
Traffic management (TM) measures implemented during the works have the potential to result in temporary disruption to road users, including increased congestion and extended travel times. Additionally, journey distance may be lengthened due to the use of the diversion routes, however, this will be for the duration of the works only.
No land acquisition, either permanent or temporary, is required for the delivery of this scheme. Consequently, there will be no direct impacts on private property, commercial facilities, agricultural land, or users of active travel routes including walkers, cyclists, and horse riders (WCH), nor on community facilities.
Core Path SA8 will likely not be impacted by the works as works will be restricted to the carriageway boundary.

Mitigation

Local residents and road users will be informed of traffic management 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.
Site specific control measures regarding noise and vibration, landscape and visual effects and air quality can be found in the relevant sections (above).
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.
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.
The resurfacing works will not increase flood risk as they are limited to the existing impermeable carriageway surface, with no alteration to drainage infrastructure or surface water runoff patterns. No other post construction impacts are anticipated.

Mitigation

The following best practice and pollution prevention measures will be in place:

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 on (available 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.
Prior to works commencing, all operatives will be aware of SEPA’s Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP).

With mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated on the water environment. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 113: Road drainage and the water environment no further assessment is required.

Climate

Impacts

Construction activities may result in GHG emissions being from vehicles, machinery, material use and production, and transportation.

Mitigation

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

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

Construction activities are confined to the carriageway boundary, and maintenance is carried out on a like for like, basis. This will reduce the risk of major accidents or environmental disasters that could negatively impact the surrounding environment.

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

Considering the above and mitigation measures adhered to, the vulnerability of the project to major accidents and disasters is considered to be low.

Assessment cumulative effects

Amey’s Current Works Schedule has highlighted that there are no works scheduled along the A77 in proximity to the scheme extents within the proposed timescales.

The Scottish Road Works Commissione r also does not identify any scheduled works that are set to take place within the scheme extents, within the same timescale, of the proposed works.

South Ayrshire Council’s Planning Portal has not identified any extant planning applications surrounding the scheme extents that would result in any in-combination effects.

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 cumulative or in combination effects are anticipated.

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