Description of local environment
Air Quality
The scheme is located within an urban area of Inverkip , along the A78 which is bordered by residential properties to the south and Inverkip Marina to the north. There are approximately 200 residential properties located within 200m of the works. The closest residential property is situated 13m south along Main Street. Further -sensitive air quality receptors within 200m include the following:
- Inverkip War Memorial Park located immediately north of the A78
- Happitots Nursery Inverkip located approx. 30m south
- Foresters House Hotel located approx. 50m south
- Inverkip Primary School located approx. 55m south
- Daff Glen Inverkip Park located approx. 190m south
- Inverkip Skelmorlie & Wemyss Bay Church located approx. 112m south
- Inverkip Cemetery located approx. 160m south
- Inverkip Community Hub located approx. 45m east
Inverclyde Council has not declared any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA)s within the vicinity of the proposed resurfacing works.
Baseline air quality is predominantly influenced by vehicle traffic along the A78. The closest manual count point 50760 within the scheme extents highlights the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) of traffic for all motor vehicles in 2024 was 11,707 motor vehicles with 129 of those being Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs). This level of traffic represents the most significant local source of air pollutants.
A review of the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) confirms that no registered pollutant-emitting facilities are located within a 1km radius of the scheme extents.
Cultural Heritage
A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. A 300m study area was applied to identify designated cultural heritage assets (see Table 1), while a 200m study area was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets (refer to Table 2 below).
| Name | Reference Number | Description | Distance from Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverkip | N/A | Conservation Area | Immediately south the A78 carriageway. |
| Inverkip Village Ellenbank | Ref: LB12471 | Listed Building | Approx. 16m south from the carriageway. |
| Woodside" Main Street, Inverkip | Ref: LB12467 | Listed Building | Approx. 41m south from the carriageway. |
| Alexander Place, Main Street, Inverkip | Ref: LB12466 | Listed Building | Approx. 50m south from the carriageway. |
| Inverkip Parish Church. Inverkip. | Ref: LB12465 | Listed Building | Approx. 110m south from the carriageway. |
| Kirkbrae House, Burial Vault 65m Ene of | Ref: SM12814 | Scheduled Monuments | Approx. 120m south from the carriageway. |
| Name | Reference Number | Description | Distance from Scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inverkip, War Memorial | Ref: 198919 | Canmore | Approx 30m north from the carriageway. |
| Inverkip, Main Street, Ellenbank | Ref: 199279 | Canmore | Approx. 16m south from the carriageway. |
| Inverkip, Main Street, Woodside | Ref: 199281 | Canmore | Approx. 40m south from the carriageway. |
| Inverkip, 122 Main Street, Police House | Ref: 317057 | Canmore | Approx. 30m south from the carriageway |
| Inverkip, Main Street, Alexander Place | Ref: 199278 | Canmore | Approx. 53m south from the carriageway |
| Inverkip, Station Road, General | Ref: 198915 | Canmore | Approx. 72m south from the carriageway |
| Inverkip, Daff Mill Cottage | Ref: 199137 | Canmore | Approx. 90m south from the carriageway |
No Inventory Battlefields or World Heritage sites were identified within 300m of the scheme.
Landscape and Visual Effects
The scheme is characterised by a dense residential setting, with numerous homes directly adjacent to the works area. The lack of vegetation screening along certain sections of the scheme extents suggests that residential properties and surrounding businesses as well and any recreational paths will have a view of the works.
Scotland’s Environment Map identifies several areas of ancient woodland within 500m of the proposed works, the nearest of which lies immediately south of the A78 near the scheme’s starting point. No Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) have been recorded within 500m of the site. Additionally, the scheme does not fall within a National Park (NP) or National Scenic Area (NSA) designation.
The Landscape Character Type (LCTs) Map identifies the area as belonging to the 'Raised Beach – Glasgow & Clyde Valley' character type. This landscape feature is typical of many parts of Scotland’s West Coast, including Ayrshire, Arran, Bute, and Kintyre. Within the Glasgow and Clyde Valley region, raised beach formations are evident in Inverkip and along the Inner Firth of Clyde, occurring within the Inverclyde and Renfrewshire local authority areas.
The Historic Landscape Assessment (HLA) Map indicates that the land surrounding the scheme extents has previously been classified as rough grazing, urban area, managed woodland, and recreation area.
Pastmap has identified the Ardgowan (Ref: GDL00021) Garden & Designed Landscapes located 120m north of the scheme extents. The designed landscape at Ardgowan dates from around 1800. The parkland, woodland and gardens provide an overall setting for the category A listed house and contributes to the local scenery.
Biodiversity
Sitelink has identified Renfrewshire Heights Special Protection Area (SPA) (8667), a European designated site located approximately 2km east of the scheme extents. Due to the distance and like-for-like nature of the works, no Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken in this instance. No national designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) have been recorded within 1km of the scheme extents.
The NBN) Atlas has identified the presence of two Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) within 500m of the scheme extents: Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum). However, Amey’s Southwest database has not recorded any INNS within the scheme extents.
A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool highlights the following target species, Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), and Broad leaf dock (Rumex obtusifolius) scattered along the verge of the A78.
Due to the urban location, the nature of the works, and all works will be confined within the carriageway boundary, a site visit has not been deemed necessary for ecological site visit.
Geology and Soils
SiteLink confirms that there are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of the scheme extents.
According to the Scotland Soil Map the soil within the scheme extents is classified as Brown Soils.
The British Geology Viewer identifies the geological composition of the scheme extents as follows:
Superficial deposits
- Superficial Deposits - Sediment. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
- Raised Marine Deposits of Holocene Age - Clay, silt, sand and gravel. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 11.8 thousand years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
Bedrock geology
- Kelly Burn Sandstone Formation - Sandstone. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 382.7 and 358.9 million years ago during the Devonian period.
- Clyde Sandstone Formation - Sandstone. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 346.7 and 344.5 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.
The excavations will be shallow and therefore not be deep enough to affect the superficial deposits or bedrock. Also, as the works will be restricted to the existing carriageway boundary and previously engineered layers, it has been determined that the project does not carry the potential to cause direct or indirect impact to geology or soils. As such, no significant impacts are anticipated, and geology and soils has been scoped out of requiring further assessment.
Material Assets and Waste
Activity: Site Construction
Material Required
- Bituminous surfacing materials (TS2010 binder/base);
- Vehicle fuel;
- Road marking materials and studs;
- Oil; and
Origin/ Content
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.
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.
Waste Arising
Road planings (inert bituminous materials);
Disposal/ Regulation
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.
From November 1st 2025 these exemptions will be phased out in favour of Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR). However, where planings meet SEPA’s criteria, they will be fully recycled.
Following on-site coring investigations and testing, no coal-tar was identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent.
As the scheme is not greater than £350,000 a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required.
Noise and Vibration
There are approximately 200 residential properties located within 300m of the works, the closest one being 13m south along Main Street. Further non-residential noise sensitive receptors within 300m include:
- Inverkip War Memorial Park located immediately north of the A78
- Happitots Nursery Inverkip located approx. 30m south
- Foresters House Hotel located approx. 50m south
- Inverkip Primary School located approx. 55m south
- Daff Glen Inverkip park located approx. 190m south
- Inverkip Skelmorlie & Wemyss Bay Church located approx. 112m south
- Inverkip Cemetery located approx. 160m south
- Inverkip Community Hub located approx. 45m east
Baseline noise is predominantly influenced by vehicle traffic along the A78. The closest manual count point 50760 within the scheme extents highlights the AADF of traffic for all motor vehicles in 2024 was 11,707 motor vehicles with 129 of those being HGVs.
According to the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019-2023, the scheme extents are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).
According to Scotland Noise Map during daytime hours the modelled noise within the scheme extents ranges from 58dB to 70dB LDAY and during night-time hours the noise within the scheme extents ranges from 53dB to 65dB LNGT.
Population and Human Health
Inverclyde Core Path Plan has highlighted that Core path 1A is located along a pedestrian bridge directly above the A78 where the works will be taking place. There are also non-designated footpaths present along the A78 carriageway, providing pedestrian connectivity through the area. National Cycle Route 753 is situated immediately north of the A78, beginning in Inverkip and following the coastline through Inverclyde. No Bridleways have been recorded within 300m of the proposed works.
The A78 is well-served by public transport infrastructure, with multiple bus stops located within 300m of the works offering services to and from Greenock, Inverkip and Glasgow. The road also functions as a primary access route for adjacent residential properties and local businesses within Inverkip.
Street lighting is present throughout the scheme extents, supporting visibility and safety during evening hours.
Road Drainage and the Water Environment
According to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s water classification hub, two designated watercourses are located within 500m of the proposed works:
- Firth of Clyde Inner – Dunoon and Wemyss Bay (ID: 200036): Located approximately 60m north of the works, this watercourse is classified as having ‘good’ overall ecological potential.
- Kip Water (ID: 10372): Situated approximately 124m north of the works, Kip Water is classified as having ‘poor’ overall ecological potential.
In addition, Daff Burn is a non-designated watercourse that runs through a culvert beneath the scheme extents at National Grid Reference (NGR) NS 20754 72199.
SEPA’s Flood Maps indicate a high likelihood of both river and surface water flooding within the scheme extents, suggesting an annual flood probability of approximately 10%.
The groundwater within the scheme extents is identified as Wemyss Bay groundwater (ID: 150531), which is also classified as having good overall ecological potential. The scheme is not within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).
Drainage along the A78 within the scheme extents comprises roadside gullies positioned on either side of the carriageway.
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
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.