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 partially within the Glen Coe SAC, the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA, and the Glen Coe SSSI 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 localised to the rock slopes in the immediate vicinity of the A82 trunk road at Glen Coe.
  • Construction activities are restricted to six slopes along a total length of 500m of the A82 trunk road.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to nearby receptors or protected species that may be present in the wider area, outwith those detailed in the HRA/AA.
  • No INNS have been recorded at this location.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.
  • Residual impacts are considered to be beneficial for the travelling public which may use this stretch of carriageway as rock slope stabilisation will improve road safety following the works.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme does not lie within any National Parks and while it does lie within the Glen Coe NSA, NatureScot have not identified any concerns regarding the impact of the works on this site.
  • The scheme lies partially within a SSSI, however due to the provision of a HRA/AA, NatureScot has advised that SSSI consent is not required for these works.
  • The scheme lies partially within an SPA and SAC. Due to the relatively minor nature of the works and the mitigation measures which will be implemented, no AESI are predicted on the features of either site, as concluded in the HRA.
  • The site compound will be located fully on made ground within the traffic management and adjacent layby.
  • There are no features of cultural heritage within the proposed works area and the previously-engineered nature of the works area means that any features or objects of cultural heritage interest are likely to have already been removed or discovered.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:

  • Containment measures will be in place to prevent debris or pollutants from entering the surrounding environment.
  • There will be a permanent visual impact as a result of the changes to the rock slope; however these works reduce the risk of a rockfall incident which would result in a more significant impact if left unmitigated.
  • Works are programmed for a duration of approximately 18 weeks; however, this has been timed to avoid the busy summer period to reduce the impact on road traffic and tourism.
  • The SEMP will include plans to address environmental incidents.
  • 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.
  • In the event that INNS are found on site, measures to prevent potential INNS spread will be implemented.
  • No in-combination effects have been identified.