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

This is a relevant project in terms of 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) is situated in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond National Scenic Area which are sensitive areas 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 replacement of worn road surface and maintenance of road drainage system, with all works restricted to the man-made ground on the A82 carriageway surface.
  • Construction activities are restricted to 1,010m, 680m, and 995m long sections along the A82 trunk road with working area of 0.73ha, 0.49ha and 0.68ha respectively.
  • The works will be temporary, transient, localised, and completed during night-time hours on a rolling programme over nineteen nights combined.
  • 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.
  • By removing the carriageway defects this 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.
  • 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 during the operational phase.
  • As the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the structural components, 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.

Location of the scheme

  • The scheme will be located within the existing A82 road boundary and as such, no land take will be required.
  • The works will not result in any change to the qualifying features of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park or Loch Lomond National Scenic Area in which the scheme is situated.
  • Loch Lomond Woods SAC and Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA lie within 2km of the scheme. The HRA Proforma completed by BEAR Scotland did not identify any LSE on the qualifying features of the nearby SAC or SPA as a result of works.
  • Three to six properties situated within 300m of each scheme’s extents with no receptors within 300m of A82 Viaduct scheme. Mitigation measures will be provided within a SEMP.
  • INNS Japanese knotweed has been highlighted on A82 verges within the A82 South of Inverarnan scheme extents.
  • Three Listed Buildings lie within 20m of the scheme extents with the nearest being just 3-5m east from the A82 South of Inverarnan. The works are confined to the trunk road with no requirement for works near or on the buildings.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme

  • The works are transient, temporary, short duration and undertaken during nightime working hours negating impact on travelling public.
  • Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste.
  • The location of identified INNS Japanese knotweed and mitigation measures will be provided in the SEMP.
  • 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 of the carriageway surface and maintenance of road drainage system; 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.