Description of local environment
Air Quality
The scheme is located along the A77 in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway. The works are bordered by residential properties to the east, south and west and Loch Ryan is situated immediately to the north of the scheme extents. There are over 100 residential properties that lie within 200m of the works, with the closest located on the A77 (Cairnryan Road), approximately 30m south of the sea wall. Additional air quality receptors located within 200m of the works include:
- Wigtownshire Rugby Football Club located approx. 50m south from the sea wall.
- Craignelder Hotel located approx. 50m west from the start of the sea wall
- Gardens Of Friendship (public park) located approx. 80m west from the sea wall.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have not declared any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) within the scheme extents and there are no air quality monitoring stations located within 200m of the works.
Baseline air quality is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A77 carriageway. In 2024 the Average Annual Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles on the A77 where works are to be undertaken (Manual Count point 78639) was 2,690 with 633 of these being Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs).
According to the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) there is one registered site located within 1km of the sea wall works:
The Creamery (Galloway cheese factory) falls within the Animal and Vegetable products from the Food and Beverage Sector. Pollutants typically associated with the sector include carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and particulate matter (PM10). The facility is located approx. 830m south of the proposed works.
Cultural Heritage
A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets and an area of 200m was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets. See Table 1 and Table 2 below for full details.
| Name | Reference number | Description | Distance from scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 London Road, Helenslea Including Boundary Walls, Gatepiers, Gate Railings and Outhouse to Rear | LB41763 | Category B - Listed building | 260m south from the works |
| 25 London Road Including Boundary Walls, Gatepiers, Gate and Railings | LB45237 | Category B - Listed building | 240m south from the works |
| Name | Reference number | Description | Distance from scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stranraer, Cairnryan Road | 371376 | Canmore | Located adjacent to the sea wall (south) |
| Stranraer, Loch Ryan | 60810 / MDG969 | Canmore and Historic Environmental record (HER) | Located adjacent to the sea wall (north) |
There are no World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments or Battlefields within 300m of the scheme extents.
Given the distance from any designated or non-designated assets, and the like‑for‑like nature of the proposed works, no impacts are anticipated on any assets listed in Tables 1 and 2. As such, Cultural Heritage has been scoped out of further assessment. In line with DMRB LA 116: Cultural Heritage, no additional assessment is required.
Landscape and Visual Effects
The scheme is located along the A77 within an urban area predominantly characterised by residential properties. In the absence of vegetation screening along this section of the A77, residential properties on Cairnryan Road will have a direct view of the proposed works.
A desktop study using Scotland’s Environment Map has highlighted that the scheme is not situated with a National Park (NP), National Scenic Area (NSA), Conservation Area, or Garden & Designed Landscapes. No Ancient woodlands or Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)’s have been identified within 500m of the works.
The Scottish Landscape Character Assessment map identifies the landscape character type of the area as Coastal Flats - Dumfries & Galloway. This Landscape Character Type typically occurs adjacent to river mouths and coastal inlets, extending from Luce Bay and Loch Ryan in the west to Gretna in the east.
The Historic Land Use Assessment (HLA) Map highlights that the landscape surrounding the scheme comprises Urban Areas and Rectilinear Fields and Farms, reflecting the mixed built‑up and agricultural land use pattern characteristic of this section of the A77.
Biodiversity
Sitelink does not identify any European designated nature conservation sites such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), or Ramsar Sites located within 2km of the scheme ecological connectivity with the scheme extents. Sitelink also confirms that’s no national designations including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs), are present within 1km of the scheme extents.
The NBN Atlas records several Invasive Non‑Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the works area. However, none of these species have been observed within the scheme extents. Species recorded in the wider area include:
- Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa)
- Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
- Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)
- Himalayan Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster simonsii)
A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool identifies the presence of the target species Broad Leafed Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) along the verge of the A77 carriageway.
Amey’s Principal Ecologist has advised that a Preliminary Ecological Walkover (PEW) is not required for this scheme. This judgement is based on the site’s location and characteristics, which indicate a low likelihood of supporting suitable habitat for protected species. A review of available aerial imagery also suggests that the sea wall is unlikely to provide suitable features. Although no ecological surveys have been carried out, there is no current evidence to indicate a significant risk of ecological impact.
Geology and Soils
SiteLink notes there are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), or geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of scheme extents.
The British Geology Viewer identifies the soil geology within the scheme extents consists of the following:
Superficial deposits
- Raised marine beach deposits of Holocene age-Gravel, sand and silt. These sedimentary deposits are shallow marine in origin. They are detrital, generally coarse-grained forming beaches and bars in a coastal setting.
Bedrock geology
- Loch Ryan Formation-Sandstone. These sedimentary rocks are fluvial in origin. They are detrital, ranging from coarse- to fine-grained and form beds and lenses of deposits reflecting the channels, floodplains and levees of a river or estuary (if in a coastal setting).
Scotland’s Soil Map has not highlighted any soil data within the scheme extents due to the urban nature of the scheme extents.
Material Assets and Waste
Please see below Table 3 for material required and Table 4 for the assumed wastes.
|
Activity |
Material Required |
Origin/ Content |
|---|---|---|
|
Site Construction |
|
All of the materials listed will contain a % of recycled material. The rest will come from primary sources. |
|
Activity |
Waste Arising |
Disposal/ Regulation |
|---|---|---|
|
Site Construction |
|
It is Amey policy to reuse or recycle as much waste material as possible. Due to the works being over 350k a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required. |
Noise and Vibration
The scheme is located along the A77 in Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway. The works are bordered by residential properties to the east, south and west with Loch Ryan situated to the north of the scheme extents. There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the works, the closest located along the A77 (Cairnryan Road) located approx. 30m south from the sea wall. Additional noise sensitive receptors located within 300m of the works include:
- Wigtownshire Rugby Football Club located approx. 50m south from the sea wall.
- Craignelder Hotel located approx. 50m west from the start of the sea wall
- Gardens Of Friendship (public park) located approx. 80m west from the sea wall.
- Rephad Primary School located approx. 234m south from the sea wall.
- Stranraer Academy located approx. 300m south from the sea wall.
Baseline noise levels are primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A77 carriageway. In 2024, the AADF for all motor vehicles on the A77 at the works location (Manual Count point 78639) was 2,690, including 633 HGVs. The overall traffic volume and composition of this traffic particularly the presence of HGVs are key contributors to baseline ambient noise levels within the scheme extents.
According to the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019, the scheme extents are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) .
Scotland Noise Map data shows that modelled noise levels within the scheme extents range from approx. 51dB and 65dB Lday during daytime hours and from 46dB to 55dB Lnight during night-time hours. At the closest residential receptor, daytime noise levels are approx. 53dB Lday with nighttime noise levels around 46dB.
Population and Human Health
Due to the minor and temporary nature of the proposed scheme, a reduced study area of 300m has been applied for assessing Population and Human Health impacts and associated mitigations.
More than 100 residential properties are located within this 300m buffer, with the closest situated on the A77 (Cairnryan Road), approx. 30m south of the sea wall.
Further community facilities located within 300m of the works include:
- Wigtownshire Rugby Football Club located approx. 50m south from the sea wall.
- Craignelder Hotel located approx. 50m west from the start of the sea wall
- Gardens Of Friendship (public park) located approx. 80m west from the sea wall.
- Rephad Primary School located approx. 234m south from the sea wall.
- Stranraer Academy located approx. 300m south from the sea wall.
According to Dumfries and Galloway Core Path Plan, core path STRA/429/2, also known as Lochryan Coastal Path runs parallel to the A77 adjacent to the scheme extents. According to the National Cycle route map, National Cycle Path 83 is located approx. 300m south from the works. No bridleways are located within 300m of the works.
The A77 at this location has an urban character and is street‑lit, providing adequate visibility and supporting safe pedestrian and vehicular movement during evening hours. There are no designated lay‑bys along this section of road. Several bus stops are present within the scheme extents along the A77, offering services to and from Stranraer town centre, Girvan, Newton Stewart, Portpatrick, and Ballantrae.
Road Drainage and the Water Environment
According to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub there are several classified watercourses located within 500m of the works. These include:
- Loch Ryan (ID: 200011) located directly adjacent to the north of the sea wall. This watercourse has a ‘good’ overall ecological potential.
- Black Stank (ID: 10483) which flows directly into the Loch Ryan is located 100m east from the end of the scheme. This watercourse flows beneath the A77 carriageway at NGR: NX 07662 61398 and has a ‘poor’ ecological potential.
According to SEPA’s Flood Maps, there is high likelihood of coastal flooding located within the scheme extents. This suggests that each year this area has a 10% chance of flooding.
The groundwater located within the scheme extents is highlighted as Stranraer groundwater (ID: 150577) which has an overall ‘poor’ ecological status.
Surface water runoff along the A77 carriageway is managed via catchpits. Additionally, the scheme area is not located within a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone , indicating a lower risk of nitrate-related water pollution.
The works are located adjacent to Mean High Water Springs (MHWS); however, all activities will be carried out solely on the existing sea wall structure and primarily confined to the footpath side. As no works will extend below MHWS, a marine licence is not required.
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 Scotland. 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.
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.