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) is situated wholly within the LLTNP National Park, 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:

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of worn road surface and drainage maintenance, with all activities confined to the A82 trunk road boundary.
  • Construction activities are restricted to area of 0.67ha (along an 860m stretch of the A82) and 1.09ha (along a 1,180m stretch of the A82).
  • The works will be temporary, transient, localised, and completed during night-time hours on a rolling programme by utilising 2-way TTL and convoy system during the working hours.
  • 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.
  • Removing the carriageway defects 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 to 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.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme is fully located within the existing A82 road boundary (carriageway surface) with no requirement to access land adjacent to the carriageway and as such no land take is required.
  • Ecological connectivity exists between proposed works and three European sites: Loch Lomond Woods SAC, Loch Lomond SPA and Loch Lomond Ramsar. The HRA concluded that no LSE would occur on the qualifying features of these sites as a result of proposed works.
  • The schemes are both located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and the northern scheme is also located within the Loch Lomond NSA. However, it was concluded that due to the like-for-like nature of the works there would be no adverse impact on the qualities of the park as a result of the proposed works.
  • The scheme lies within close proximity to several listed buildings, however all works are restricted to the A82 trunk road boundary with no impacts anticipated on these listed buildings as a result of proposed 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.
  • Works are programmed to be of short duration, and nighttime resurfacing works will be completed on a rolling programme, with the aim being to complete the noisiest works by 23:00.
  • 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