Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required

This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) are situated in whole or in part in the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area which is a sensitive area within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017). Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.

The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:

Characteristics of the scheme:

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like resurfacing of the worn road surface followed by reinstatement of road markings and studs.
  • Construction activities are restricted to a total area of 0.76ha and length of 1,265m stretch of the A82 trunk road across both schemes.
  • The works will be temporary, transient, localised, and completed during night-time hours on a rolling programme, with the aim being to complete the noisiest works by 23:00.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • Removing the carriageway defects will provide this part of the A82 carriageway with another life cycle and significantly improve the ride quality which will result in safer conditions for road users.

Location of the scheme:

  • The works will be located within the existing A82 trunk road boundary and as such, no land take will be required.
  • The scheme lies adjacent to an SPA and SAC. Due to the relatively minor nature of the works and the mitigation measures which will be implemented, no LSE is predicted on the habitats of the SAC and no AESI are predicted on the feature of the SPA, as concluded in the HRA.
  • As no works will take place within the boundary of the Glen Coe SSSI, consent is not required.
  • The works are located within the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area; however, works are restricted to like-for-like resurfacing of the carriageway drainage cutting and as such, no change to the visual landscape or adverse impacts are expected.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:

  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.
  • Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste.
  • No impacts on the environment are expected during the operational phase as a result of works. The works are expected to result in positive impacts on road users, ecological and human receptors during the operational phase.
  • As the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement, there is no change to the vulnerability of the road to the risk or severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.

Mitigation measures detailed above (and in the SEMP) will be put in place with the objective to prevent and, if required, subsequently control any potential impacts on sensitive receptors.