Description of local environment

Air quality

Properties within 300m of the scheme – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping tool records that the works are not located within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). The scheme is located within the Stirling Council and Argyll and Bute administrative areas, which currently do not have any AQMAs.

No Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) are located within 10km of the scheme extent (Air quality in Scotland). The nearest air quality monitoring sites lie within Dumbarton 30km south of the scheme extents with the levels at the time of search noted to be in ‘low’ levels (Low Index 1-3).

There are no sites registered for air emissions on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) (Scotland’s Environment) within 10km of the works. 

The most representative traffic data source point to all three schemes is located within the A82 Blairannaich scheme extent (Site ID: ATCCS001) on the A82 carriageway. A manual traffic count conducted in 2024 recorded a total of 4,626 motor vehicles, of which 7.1% were Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) (Transport Scotland Traffic Count Data).

The baseline air quality within the scheme extents is primarily influenced by motor vehicles travelling along the A82 trunk road. Secondary sources are most commonly derived from recreational activities associated with Loch Lomond.

Cultural heritage

According to the PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools, three Listed Buildings lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Category B Listed Building ‘Inverarnan, Drover's Inn’ (LB8288) lies adjacent to the A82 trunk road boundary approximately 3-5m east from the A82 South of Inverarnan.
  • Category C Listed Building ‘Inverarnan, Drover's Inn Stables and Steading’ (LB8289) lies 10m west of the A82 South of Inverarnan.
  • Category B Listed Building ‘Creag-An-Arnain Railway Viaduct’ (LB864) lies approximately 20m west of the A82 Viaduct scheme.

Of lesser Cultural Heritage value, several Historic Environment Records (HERs) and National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHEs) lie within 300m of the scheme. The nearest features include HERs relating to a military road and previous archaeological surveys, both of which lie within the scheme boundaries (PastMap).

There are no Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Garden & Designed Landscapes, Battlefields or World Heritage sites identified within 300m of the scheme (PastMap).

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is situated within Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) (NatureScot Site Code: 8621). LLTNP is designated for the following general Special Qualities:

  • A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty
  • Wild and rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands
  • Water in its many forms
  • The rich variety of woodlands
  • Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop
  • Famous through-routes
  • Tranquillity
  • The easily accessible landscape splendour

The scheme is also located within Loch Lomond National Scenic Area (NSA) (NatureScot Site Code: 9135). The NSA shares the same Special Qualities as the LLTNP.

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the study area is ‘Upland Glens - Loch Lomond & the Trossachs’ (no. 252) and ‘Straths and glens with lochs’ (no. 254) (Scottish Landscape Character Types).

‘Upland Glens - Loch Lomond & the Trossachs’ (no. 252) has the following key characteristics:

  • Often narrow with little flat glen floor, strongly enclosed by steep hill slopes of the adjacent Steep Ridges and Hills and Highland Summits.
  • Steep glen sides often patterned with rocky outcrops, boulders and screes but also extensively forested, particularly on lower slopes.
  • Tributary burns and rivers cut deep gullies into slopes and many feature waterfalls and cascades, pools and rocky outcrops.
  • Walled pastures sometimes occasionally occurring on lower (usually south-facing) slopes. Heather covers better drained areas and bright green flushes appear at spring lines on hill slopes.
  • Some glens covered with extensive coniferous forestry.
  • Notable ancient and semi-ancient woodlands of oak and birch in some glens. Natural regeneration of scrub woodland where grazing has declined as in the Luss Glens.
  • Relict wood pasture and Caledonian pine woodlands evident in some areas.
  • Scattered trees and native woodland trace the edges of burns.
  • Sparsely settled but with some isolated farms in lower reaches of glens, these often south-facing.
  • Significant cultural features in more open glens, including shielings and abandoned field systems.
  • Areas of crofting evident on some lower slopes.
  • Some important historic strategic routes for communications and accommodate key road and rail links today for example.
  • Classic views channelled up and down the Glens, with steep side slopes framing landscapes that lie beyond them.

‘Straths and glens with lochs’ (no. 254) has the following key characteristics:

  • Strongly enclosed by steep and often rugged hill slopes with lochs filling much of the space between, leaving only a narrow flatter margin against the loch shore.
  • Lochs generally long and narrow.
  • Narrow passes occur between some lochs. Sutble promontories and narrow beaches feature on loch shorelines, – these particularly appreciated in long views down the length of the lochs. Modification of natural lochs and water catchments in the Park, giving rise to a variety of structures including dams and aqueducts – many of these comprise distinctive 19th Century structures.
  • Settlements often located at the head of lochs and major through roads are aligned through some of these glens and straths.
  • Scattered traditional dwellings or clusters of buildings usually located close to alluvial pastures at the intersection with side glens and water courses on some loch shores.
  • Tourism and recreation facilities along loch shores.
  • Highland-type designed landscapes, grand houses, hunting lodges and associated features, policies and parklands occupy prime loch shore positions. Pier and timber boat houses are a common feature in association with houses and estates particularly on Loch Ard.
  • Lochs are highly visible, with roads and cycle/walking routes aligned close to their shores.
  • Long views are possible across open water to the Highland Summits and the combination of craggy towering hills and smooth water is an essential component of the scenic richness of the National Park.

The scheme lies within a rural area, with land use surrounding the scheme dominated by woodland. Loch Lomond lies east of the scheme and forms a major landscape feature within the area.

The A82 Trunk Road connects Alexandria with Crianlarich, Fort William and Inverness. It commences immediately north of Tullichewan Roundabout in Alexandria leading generally northwards for a distance of 243 kilometres to its junction with the A9 at (but excluding) Longman Roundabout in Inverness. The A82 is predominantly single carriageway along its length, with some lengths of ‘2+1’ carriageway. 

Biodiversity

Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protection Area (SPA) (NatureScot Site Code: 10113) at its nearest point lies 250m west of the A82 South of Inverarnan. The SPA is located more than 2km from the A82 Viaduct and A82 Blairannaich scheme extents.

Loch Lomond Woods Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code: 8298) at its nearest point lies 500m northeast of A82 South of Inverarnan and falls within 2km of all three scheme extents.

Due to the proximity and potential ecological connectivity to the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA andLoch Lomond Woods SAC,  a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) Proforma was produced. A combined HRA Proforma was completed in September 2024 for a package of resurfacing schemes along the A82, including A82 South of Inverarnan,A82 Viaduct, and A82 Blairannaich. The assessment concluded that the proposed works would not have a likely significant effect on the designated features of the SAC or SPA. Consequently, no further assessment was required.

Garabal Hill Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (NatureScot Site Code: 668) lies 250m west of the A82 South of Inverarnan. For further details refer to the section ‘geology and soils’ below.

No other locally or nationally designated sites with biodiversity features (such as Local Nature Reserves or National Nature Reserves) are located within 300m of the schemes (SiteLink).

Numerous records of bird species were returned within 2km of the works under the same search criteria. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their nests are protected with some birds, particularly those listed on Schedule 1 of the Act, receiving additional protection.

The NBN atlas holds one record of the invasive non-native species (INNS) of plant, rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum), under the above search criteria within 2km of A82 Viaduct scheme.

A search using Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) identified Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) and rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) within the A82 verges at the A82 South of Inverarnan scheme extents.

The scheme extents are located within a rural area along the eastern bank of Loch Lomond, bordered on either side by areas of native broadleaved woodland. Loch Lomond and its associated tributaries form an important network of freshwater habitats in the region.

Areas of woodland within 300m of the scheme have been noted as ‘ancient’ (of semi-natural origin) ‘long-established’ (of plantation origin) and ‘other’ (on Roy map) as listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) Scotland. The nearest of these lie adjacent to the A82 within the scheme extents (Scotland’s Environemnt).

There are no areas of woodland or individual trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents (LLTNP TPO map).

Geology and soils

None of the schemes lie within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) or SSSI designated for geological features.

Garabal Hill GCRS lies 250m west of the A82 South of Inverarnan (SiteLink). Garabal Hill GCRS is overlapped by Garabal Hill SSSI, which is designated for Caledonian Igneous.

Bedrock within the scheme extents is comprised of following (BGS Geology Viewer):

  • Ben Ledi Grit Formation (psammite and semipelite) – metamorphic bedrock,
  • North Britain Siluro-devonian Calc-alkaline Dyke Suite (microgranite) – igneous bedrock, and
  • Beinn Bheula Schist Formation – Psammite and Pelite.

Superficial deposits within the scheme extents is comprised of the following (BGS Geology Viewer):

  • Till and Morainic Deposits (diamicton, sand and gravel),
  • Alluvium and River Terrace Deposits (gravel, sand, silt and clay),
  • Till – diamicton, and
  • River Terrace Deposits (gravel, sand, silt and clay).

The local soil type is recorded as brown soils and mineral podzols (Scotland’s Environment Map).

Soils within the scheme extent are recorded as being ‘Class 0’, as displayed on Scotland’s Peat Map. Class 0 are mineral soils with no peat present.

This receptor has no constraints (as identified in Environmental Baseline) that are likely to be impacted by the proposed works and as such ‘geology and soils’ is scoped out and is not discussed further within this RoD.

Material assets and waste

The resurfacing works are necessary to replace the worn carriageway surface and to undertake general maintenance of the A82 trunk road. In addition to resurfacing, the works will include routine maintenance of the road drainage system, such as the resetting of gullies, to ensure continued effective surface water management.

Materials used will consist of:

  • Asphaltic material
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint

Wastes are anticipated to be removed planings from the surface course, which will be recovered for re-use in line with BEAR Scotland’s Procedure 126: The Production of Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings. The Contractor is responsible for the disposal of road planings and this has been registered in accordance with a Paragraph 13(a) waste exemption issued by SEPA, as described in Schedule 3 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 2011.

There is no requirement for a site compound.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required for these works. Additionally, coal tar has not been identified as being present within the scheme extents.

Noise and vibration

For residential, community and commercial receptors refer to the ‘Population and Human Health’ section below.

Works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

Noise modelled data from Environmental Noise Directive (END) Round 4 Noise Mapping indicates 24 hour annual average noise levels (Lden) between 60 and 70dB on the A82 at the scheme locations (SpatialData).

The baseline noise and vibration in the scheme extents is primarily influenced by vehicles travelling along the A82 trunk road. Secondary sources are most commonly derived from recreational activities associated with Loch Lomond.

Population and human health

All three schemes are located in relatively rural areas, with between three and six properties situated within 300m of each scheme’s extents. There are no properties within 300m of the A82 Viaduct scheme. The properties closest to the works lie within 50m and have little to no screening, with only limited tree cover in between. In contrast, properties located beyond 50m are generally screened by intervening woodland.

A pedestrian footpath lies adjacent to the southbound carriageway of the A82 at the A82 South of Inverarnan schemes northern extents. The pedestrian footpath is also noted as a core path (ID: S0476) (LLTNP Core Path Plan) and a walking route ‘Beinn Chabhair, from Inverarnan’ recorded by Walk Highlands (WalkHighlands).

A viewpoint over the Loch Lomond with a parking area for a single car, lies adjacent to the southbound lane of the A82 at the A82 Blairannaich scheme extents.

Two bus stops are located either side of the A82 at the northern end of the A82 South of Inverarnan scheme extents.

There are no National Cycle Network (NCN) routes within 300m of any of the scheme extents.

Road drainage and the water environment

Allt Arnan (unclassified) is spanned by the A82 within the A82 South of Inverarnan scheme extents. Allt Arnan flows for 630m in a southernly direction where it discharges into the River Falloch (d/s Dubh Eas) (ID: 10165). The River Falloch is a classified waterbody by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and lies within the River Leven (Loch Lomond) catchment of the Scotland river basin district and has last been classified as having a ‘good ecological potential’ (2023) (SEPA Water Classification Hub).

Loch Lomond (North) (ID: 100339) is a classified waterbody by SEPA and lies directly adjacent to the A82 at the A82 Viaduct scheme extents and separated by 1m high wall. Loch Lomond (North) also lies 5m east of the A82 Blairannaich scheme extents. Loch Lomond (North) lies within the River Leven (Loch Lomond) catchment of the Scotland river basin district and has last been classified as having a ‘good ecological potential’ (2023) (SEPA Water Classification Hub).

A number of unclassified waterbodies, including field drains and minor tributaries, are culverted beneath the A82 within the scheme extents and lie within 300 metres of the works.

The scheme is underlain by the ‘Cowal and Lomond’ groundwater body, which SEPA classified in 2023 as having an overall status of ‘Good’ (SEPA Water Classification Hub). The groundwater body is also recorded as a Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA) (Ground) (Scotland’s Environment).

The banks of Allt Arnan and its wider area which is spanned by the A82 within the A82 South of Inverarnan scheme extents has been identified as having a high likelihood of fluvial flooding (10% chance of flooding each year) (SEPA Flood Maps). In addition, the banks of Loch Lomond which lies adjacent and in proximity to the A82 Viaduct and A82 Blairannaich and are identified as having a high likelihood of fluvial flooding (10% chance of flooding each year) (SEPA Flood Maps).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045.

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets.

Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to the above noted legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network and this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport (Mission Zero for transport | Transport Scotland).