Description of local environment

Air quality

This scheme is being undertaken along the A78 NB carriageway, between Irvine and Troon, in North Ayrshire. The immediate scheme extents are bordered by soft grass verges and dense mixed woodland on both the NB and southbound (SB) sides of the carriageway. The surrounding area comprises industrial buildings to the east and open green space, including Dundonald Links Golf Course to the west.

There is only one residential property located within 200m of the scheme extents, this being Castleview House located approximately 107m west of the scheme extents along Auchengate Crescent. The only other notable air quality receptor is Dundonald Links Golf Course located 200m west of the proposed works.

Baseline air quality in the area is primarily influenced by traffic on the on the A78 road network, combined with industrial activities in the wider area. Manual count point 80225, located within the scheme extents along the A78, recorded that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all vehicles was 19,250, of which 830 (4%) were Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

According to the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI), the following sites are located within 1km of the proposed works location:

  • Shewalton Landfill Area 2 and 4/5 Irvine, Waste and Waste-Water Management Site is located approximately 1km north of the works;
  • Meadowhead Sewage Treatment Works Irvine, Waste and Waste-Water Management Site is located approximately 690m east of the works, and;
  • Caledonian Paper Mill, Shewalton Irivne, Paper and Wood Production and Processing Site is located approximately 200m east of the scheme extents.

North Ayrshire Council have not designated any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) and no Air Quality Monitoring Stations are located within 200m 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.

There are no designated cultural heritage assets located within 300m of the works or any Conservation Areas located within 200m of the scheme extents.

Full details of non-designated assets can be found in Table 1.

Table 1: Non-Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 200m

Name

Reference Number

Description

Distance from Scheme

Shewalton Moor

97368

National Record of Historic Environment (NRHE) - Axehead(S) (Stone) (Period Unassigned)

Approx. 130m west of the scheme extents

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

The immediate scheme extents are bordered by soft grass verges and dense mixed woodland along both the NB and southbound (SB) sides of the carriageway. The surrounding area comprises industrial buildings to the east and open green space, including Dundonald Links Golf Course to the west.

RAF Fullerton (Former) Historical Landmark is located 110m west of the scheme extents. This asset is not formally designated. There are no distinctive cultural landscape or historical landscape features within the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Environment Web, no landscape designations, including Ancient Woodlands, National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or any Gardens and Designed Landscapes, are situated within 500m of the proposed scheme extents.

There are also no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) located within 500m of the works.

A search on Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map, has identified that the LCT within the scheme extents can be classed as ‘66 - Agricultural Lowlands - Ayrshire’ characterised by complex landforms, gently increasing in height from the coastal fringe, dissected by many burns and streams draining to incised main river valleys to create an undulating lowland landscape. There are also a number of larger towns and villages with historic cores surrounded by more modern development.

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’. This modern transport systems have focussed on the construction and extension of multi-laned motorways, with their associated service stations. Providing links between major cities, they cover considerable areas of land. The land surrounding the scheme extents can be classed as a mixture of ‘Industrial and Commercial Area’ and ‘Leisure and Recreation - Golf Course’.

Visual

Given the presence of mixed woodland vegetation along both sides of the carriageway, the proposed works are not expected to be visible from any residential properties or community facilities.

Transient visual receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A78, who will experience brief views of the scheme. Typically, the views from the carriageway are pockets of woodland, with community area in the wider surroundings.

The following core paths can be found within 300m of the works:

  • A78 Overpass - Barassie Gateside Bridge (ID: IK21) is located approximately 37m west of the scheme extents;
  • Meadowhead/Shewalton (ID: IK42) is located approximately 58m east of the scheme extents, and;
  • Gailes Lodge - Overpass at A78 (ID: IK20) is located 209m north of the scheme extents.

National Cycle Network Route 7 is located approximately 58m east of the scheme extents at the closest point. This route is in sections between Sunderland and Inverness, forming parts of the famous Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route. This route aligns with Core Path Meadowhead/Shewalton (ID:IK42). Users of this route may also have views of the works.

Biodiversity

Protected Areas

A desktop study was undertaken using NatureScot’s online research tool Sitelink. This review confirmed that no European designated sites are located within, or have potential connectivity to, the proposed works area within a 2km radius. In addition, there are no national designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Local or National Nature Reserves, within 200m of the scheme extents.

There are also no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) located within 500m of the works.

Watercourses

Please see Road drainage and the water environment section for details.

Field survey

As the works will take place within the carriageway verges, a competent Amey ecologist determined that a field survey was required. This survey was undertaken on 3rd March 2026.

Invasive plants

The NBN Atlas has highlighted that the following target species and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) have historically been recorded within 500m of the works:

  • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense);
  • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica);
  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium);
  • Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa), and;
  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris).

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has previously recorded the presence of both rosebay willowherb and common ragwort along the NB carriageway of the A78 within 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 A78, within the scheme extents, consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

  • Scottish Middle Coal Measures Formation-Sedimentary rock cycles, Coal Measure type. These sedimentary rocks are fluvial, palustrine and shallow-marine in origin. They are detrital, forming deposits reflecting the channels, floodplains and deltas of a river in a coastal setting (with periodic inundation from the sea).
  • Troon Volcanic Member-Olivine-macrophyric basalt. These igneous rocks are volcanic (extrusive) in origin. Poor in silica, they form fluid flows of lava with feeder dykes and sills.

Superficial Deposits

  • Raised marine deposits of Holocene age-Clay, silt, sand and gravel. These sedimentary deposits are shallow-marine in origin. They are detrital, generally coarse-grained forming beaches and bars in a coastal setting.

Soils

According to Scotland’s Soils Map, the component soil located within the scheme extents can be identified as ‘Brown earths’ derived from Carboniferous rocks with some Old Red Sandstone material which can be found on raised beach terraces and mounds with gentle slopes.

Land use

The national scale land capability for agriculture has been classed as both ‘3.1’ and ‘3.2’. The classification, ‘3.1’, dominates the scheme extents with this land capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and/ or moderate yields of a wider range. Short grass leys are common.

Metcalf Place, Old West Landfill Site is located approximately 721m northeast of the scheme extents.

Material assets and waste

Materials

Materials required are detailed within Table 2 below.

Table 2: Key Materials Required for Activities

Activity

Materials Required

Sources

Construction
  • Fuel;
  • Road paint;
  • Road studs;
  • Traffic signs;
  • TS2010 surface course;
  • AC20 bituminous binder, and;
  • AC32 bituminous base.
  • 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.
  • Some material may be derived from primary resources, such as the road paint.

Resurfacing will utilise warm-mix asphalt as it requires less heat, reducing energy use, making it more environmentally friendly in comparison to hot mix asphalt.

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.

Wastes

Anticipated wastes from the proposed works are listed in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Waste Material Produced

Activity

Waste Produced

Disposal

Construction
  • Road studs;
  • Old road signs;
  • Debris from gully and kerbing clearing;
  • Road paint, and;
  • Asphalt planings.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will be prepared prior to the commencement of works to outline how resources will be managed and how waste generated throughout the scheme will be controlled. As the scheme value exceeds £350,000, an SWMP is required and will support the reduction of waste production, helping to minimise the volume of material sent to landfill.

Coal tar was not identified during investigation stages.

Noise and vibration

There are approximately five residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, with the closest being Castleview House located 107m west of the scheme extents along Auchengate Crescent. The only other sensitive noise and vibration receptor is Dundonald Links Golf Course, located 200m west of the proposed works area.

Baseline noise and vibration levels in the area are primarily influenced by traffic on the A78 road network, alongside industrial activities in the wider area. Data from Manual count point 80225, located within the scheme extents, recorded an AADF all 19,250 vehicles in 2024, of which 830 (4%) were HGVs.

According to Scotand’s Noise Map, modelled day-time noise levels (Lday) in the areas surrounding the carriageway show levels of around 58-60dB and within the proposed works approximately 70-71dB. Nighttime noise level (Lnight) in the areas surrounding the carriageway show levels of around 50-56dB and within the proposed works 60-63dB.

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as highlighted by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2024-2028).

Population and human health

Given the nature of the proposed scheme, a reduced buffer of 300m has been applied when considering Population and Human Health impacts and associated mitigation.

The scheme is located along the A78 NB carriageway, in North Ayrshire. This section of the A78 connects towns such as Irvine and Troon and forms part of the wider network leading toward larger settlements such as Glasgow. Irvine contains a range of community facilities, including educational facilities and recreational areas, with a greater diversity of such facilities present within Glasgow.

There are approximately five residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being Castleview House, located 107m west of the scheme extents along Auchengate Crescent. Given the existing mixed woodland vegetation along both carriageways, the works are not expected to be visible from any residential properties. There are no direct access or egress points to residential properties within the scheme extents.

Key community assets located within 300m of the proposed works include the following:

  • Dundonald Links Golf Course located 200m west of the proposed works area;
  • Meadowhead Industrial Estate is located approximately 50m west of the scheme extents;
  • AquaPaddle Irvine Sports Club is located 162m east of the scheme extents, and;
  • Shewalton Water Swimming Lake located approximately 100m east of the scheme extents.

There are no footways, streetlights or bus stops located within the scheme extents of the proposed works area. One layby is located adjacent to the A78 NB carriageway of the scheme extents; this is located at NGRNS 33311 35512.

Ayrshire Coastal Path is located approximately 80m east of the scheme extents. This route runs from Skelmorlie to Glenapp. The following core paths can be found within 300m of the works:

  • A78 Overpass - Barassie Gateside Bridge (ID: IK21) is located approximately 37m west of the scheme extents;
  • Meadowhead/Shewalton (ID: IK42) is located approximately 58m east of the scheme extents at the closest point, and;
  • Gailes Lodge - Overpass at A78 (ID: IK20) is located 209m north of the scheme extents.

National Cycle Network Route 7 is located approximately 58m east of the scheme extents at the closest point. This route is in sections between Sunderland and Inverness, forming parts of the famous Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route. This route aligns with Core Path Meadowhead/Shewalton (ID: IK42).

There are no bridleways located within 300m of the works.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

There are no classified watercourses located within 500m of the scheme extents according to SEPA’s Water Classification Hub.

There are three unnamed, unclassified ponds situated within 250m of the proposed works area, the closest of which is located approximately 93m to the west.

The scheme is also bordered by several small unclassified tributaries, most of which are unnamed. The only identified watercourse is Montgomerie Burn, located approximately 414m west of the works.

Drainage along the scheme extents of the A78 consists of gullies, filter stones and catchpits.

Flood risk

SEPA’s Flood Risk Map indicates that certain localised areas within the scheme extents are expected to face a low to high probability (0.1–10%) of surface water flooding each year.

Groundwater

Groundwater within the scheme area includes the Kilmarnock groundwater body (ID: 150662), which is classified as having overall poor quality, and the Prestwick and Irvine Coastal groundwater body, which is classified as having overall good quality according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The works do not fall within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) as classified by the Scottish Government. There are no Drinking Water Protected Zones (Surface) within 500m of the works.

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.