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 in the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area NSA 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:

  • The total working area is less than 1ha.
  • Resurfacing works will be like-for-like in nature.
  • The works will be temporary, localised and will be completed during night-time hours.
  • No in-combination effects have been identified.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • Removal of the carriageway defects will provide this section of the A82 carriageway with an extended life cycle, and will significantly improve the ride quality which will result in safer conditions for road users.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme is located wholly within Ben Nevis and Glen Coe NSA; however, no permanent visual impacts on the NSA or local landscape will result from the works. Temporary visual impacts during construction will be minor, highly localised, and of short duration.
  • The scheme will be located within the existing A82 road boundary and as such, no land take will be required.
  • The HRA did not identify any LSE on the qualifying features of Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA as a result of works.

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.