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 scheme does not lie within 10km of and is not located within an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

Sites monitoring air quality in the wider areas record bandings to be within the ‘green zone’ (Low 1 – 3) at the time of the search.

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for air pollutant releases within 10km of the scheme extents.

The baseline air quality within the scheme extents is primarily influenced by motor vehicles travelling along the A82 trunk road.

Vehicle count data taken from the nearest count point on the A82 (located approximately 10km west of the scheme) shows an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) count of 6,540 motor vehicles, with a HGV percentage of approximately 2.5% (count data taken in 2023) (Department for Transport).

Cultural heritage

A search of PastMap mapping tool (PastMap) identified Scheduled Monument ‘Altnafeadh-Kinghouse, Old Military Road’ (SM2826) 250m north at its nearest point to the scheme. The Scheduled Monument is also listed as a Historic Environment Record (HER) (MGH14489).

There are no Cultural Heritage features located within the footprint of the scheme extents. No Garden & Designed Landscapes, Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Battlefields, World Heritage sites or records on Canmore database were identified within 300m of the scheme (PastMap).

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme lies within Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area (NSA) (NatureScot Site ID: 9120). The NSA has the following Special Qualities:

  • A land of mountain grandeur
  • A land of classic highland vistas
  • Human settlement dwarfed by mountain and moorland
  • The expansive Moor of Rannoch
  • The spectacular drama of Glen Coe
  • The wooded strath of lower Glen Coe
  • The narrow and enclosed Loch Leven
  • The impressive massif of Ben Nevis
  • The wild Mamores and secretive Glen Nevis
  • The fjord-like upper Loch Leven
  • Long and green Glen Etive
  • The dark heritage

The scheme is not located within a National Park (NP).

The scheme is located within a rural area on the A82 carriageway, with the nearest population centre Glencoe located 14km northwest. The landscape surrounding the scheme is dominated by rugged mountains, flowing waterbodies and grand vistas. The land is primarily used as a rough grazing by sheep and as a recreation by hikers.

The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) classifies the surrounding landscape as “Bogy Moorland – Lochaber” (LCT: 232) which forms a vast basin encircled by mountains. The key characteristics of this LCT are:

  • Vast waterlogged landscape, although one whose scale can be reduced by low hanging cloud and mist.
  • Amphitheatre setting - a massive basin encircled by curtain of hills which are often accentuated by cloud draped summits.
  • Large scale recurring landcover pattern of grass, rush and heather, scattered glacial erratics and mounds, pools and lochans with a few stunted trees.
  • Lochans with trees and rocks provide local foci within the landscape.
  • Small scale pattern of seasonal flowers and lichens draw the eye from the expanse into the detail of the bog surface.
  • Minimal obvious human influence, giving a remote and wild landscape character.

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. The A82 is a single carriageway at the scheme extents.

Biodiversity

The scheme extents fully lies within Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protection Area (SPA) (NatureScot Site Code: 10113).

Rannoch Moor Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code: 8348) lies 2km east of the scheme.

Due to the works proximity to the European sites and potential to result in Likely Significant Effects (LSE), a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been produced. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details. 

The Glencoe National Nature Reserve (NNR) (Site Code: 10532) lies 200m south of the scheme.

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas did not return any records of protected species within 2km of the scheme. Only records with open-source licensing and within the last 10-years were included in the search criteria.

The NBN Atlas holds records of numerous bird species within 2km over the last ten-year period. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their active nests are protected.

The NBN Atlas holds the following records of injurious plants (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) using the same search criteria:

  • Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)
  • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)

The Transport Scotland Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) did not identify invasive and/or injurious plants (as listed in the NMC) within verges of A82 within 300m of the scheme. 

The A82 at the scheme extents lies within a rugged landscape with no tree cover present. Freshwater habitat is provided by River Coupall, which lies 160m south of the scheme and numerous small tributaries which lie within the area.

There are no areas of woodland listed on Ancient Woodland Inventory within 300m of the scheme extents (Ancient Woodland Inventory).

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

Ecological Survey Data

The BEAR Scotland NW Environment team carried out a preliminary ecological appraisal (PEA) at A82 North of Glencoe Viewpoint culvert on 4th March 2025.

No further surveys prior to the works are identified to be required. 

Geology and soils

The A82 within the scheme extents is not located within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) or a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designated for geological features.

Bedrock within the scheme extents is comprised of the Loch Treig Schist and Quartzite Formation (Pelite) which is a metamorphic bedrock (BGS Geology Viewer).

The superficial geology at the scheme extents (BGS Geology Viewer) is comprised of the following superficial layers:

  • Hummocky (moundy) Glacial Deposits - Diamicton, sand and gravel.
  • Peat - Peat.

The local soil type is recorded as peaty podzols (Scotland’s Environment Map).

Soils within the scheme extent are recorded as being ‘Class 2’, as displayed on Scotland’s Peat Map. Class 2 are soils with deep peat (Scotland’s Environment Map).

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are necessary to ensure that the A82 carriageway remains in structurally sound condition with local drainage maintained. A range of plant and machinery will be utilised during the works, consisting of excavator, tipper, Hiab and welfare wan. 

Materials used will consist of concrete for the culvert infill and formwork plywood. Excavated soil material from the works on drainage ditch will be site casted within the scheme extents.

Waste material will consist of miscellaneous items such as redundant formwork plywood, minor amounts of concrete rubble, minor amounts of recyclable items such as carboard and paper as well as miscellaneous waste.

A site waste management plan (SWMP) is not required.

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 level (Lden) between 55 and 70dB at the scheme location (SpatialData).

The baseline noise and vibration in the scheme extents is primarily influenced by vehicles travelling along the A82 trunk road.

Population and human health

There are no residential, commercial, or community receptors within 300m of the scheme extents.

There are no recognised core paths (Highland Council) walking routes (WalkHighlands) or cycle routes (OS Maps) within 300m of the scheme extents.

The scheme lies within a rural area with no footpath or laybys present at the scheme extents. A number of viewpoints are located along the A82 within a wider area.

TM will involve a single lane closure with 2-way TTLs.

Road drainage and the water environment

Culvert 1 carries an unnamed watercourse, therefore named as waterbody 1, which is not shown on the 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey maps (Landranger series). Waterbody 1 is a minor and unclassified by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) waterbody which has been culverted below the A82 carriageway and currently sustained severe pipe damage enabling water to flow via the culvert.

Culvert 2 carries an unnamed minor watercourse, therefore named as waterbody 2, which is shown on the 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey maps (Landranger series). Waterbody 2 has not been classified by SEPA.

Waterbody 2 flows for 250m downstream of the culvert 2 where it discharges into the River Coupall (ID: 10319). The River Coupall is classified waterbody by SEPA (SEPA Water Classification Hub) and was rated as “good” by SEPA in 2023.

A number of minor and unclassified tributaries lie within 300m of the scheme extents.

The scheme lies within the Upper Glen Coe groundwater basin (ID: 150693). It was classified as “Good” by SEPA in 2023. It is also listed as a Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA) (SEPA).

A search of SEPA Flood Map did not identify surface water flooding on the A82 carriageway at the scheme extents (SEPA Flood Maps).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 sets out the target and vision set by the Scottish Government for tackling and responding to climate change (The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009). The Act included a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 80% before 2050 (from the baseline year 1990). The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019 amended the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 to bring the target of reaching net-zero emissions in Scotland forward to 2045 (Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019).

The Scottish Government has since published its indicative Nationally Determined Contribution (iNDC) to set out how it will reach net-zero emissions by 2045, working to reduce emissions of all major greenhouse gases by at least 75% by 2030 (Scotland's contribution to the Paris Agreement: indicative Nationally Determined Contribution - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)). By 2040, the Scottish Government is committed to reducing emissions by 90%, with the aim of reaching net-zero by 2045 at the latest.

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). 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 a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.