Description of local environment

Air quality

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping tool records that the scheme extent is not located within or within 300m of an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

No Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) are located within 10km of the scheme extent (Air quality in Scotland). The nearest air quality monitoring site lies approximately 20km south of the scheme extents at the Inverclyde Greenock A8 site, with the levels at the time of assessment noted to be in ‘low’ levels (Low Index 1-3).

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

Baseline air quality is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the A83.

Cultural heritage

A search of the PastMap mapping tool (PastMap) identified Category C Listed Building ‘Glen Croe, 'Rest and Be Thankful' Stone’ (ID: LB11816) 200m west of the scheme. No other Listed Buildings lie within 300m of the scheme.

Of lesser Cultural Heritage value, a number of Historic Environment Records (HERs) and National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The nearest of these, ‘Rest and Be Thankful, Argyll’ (ID: 6350), is a NRHE which lies adjacent to the scheme extents.

There are no World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Conservation Areas, Garden and Designed Landscapes or Battlefields within 300m of the scheme extents.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme lies within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) (NatureScot Site Code: 8621) (SiteLink), which has the following Special General Qualities:

  • A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty
  • Wild and rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands
  • Water in its many forms
  • The rich variety of woodlands
  • Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop
  • Famous through-routes
  • Tranquillity
  • The easily accessible landscape splendour

The scheme is not located within a National Scientific Area (SiteLink).

The scheme is located on the A83 carriageway approximately 160m east of the RaBT viewpoint at its nearest point. The Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) classifies the landscape surrounding the scheme as “Upland Glens – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs” (LCA 252) which has the following key characteristics:

  • Often narrow with little flat glen floor, strongly enclosed by steep hill slopes of the adjacent Steep Ridges and Hills and Highland Summits.
  • Steep glen sides often patterned with rocky outcrops, boulders and screes but also extensively forested, particularly on lower slopes.
  • Tributary burns and rivers cut deep gullies into slopes and many feature waterfalls and cascades, pools and rocky outcrops.
  • Walled pastures sometimes occasionally occurring on lower (usually south-facing) slopes. Heather covers better drained areas and bright green flushes appear at spring lines on hill slopes.
  • Some glens covered with extensive coniferous forestry.
  • Notable ancient and semi-ancient woodlands of oak and birch in some glens, Natural regeneration of scrub woodland where grazing has declined as in the Luss Glens.
  • Relict wood pasture and Caledonian pine woodlands evident in some areas. Scattered trees and native woodland trace the edges of burns.
  • Sparsely settled but with some isolated farms in lower reaches of glens, these often south-facing.
  • Significant cultural features in more open glens, including shielings and abandoned field systems.
  • Areas of crofting evident on some lower slopes.
  • Some important historic strategic routes for communications and accommodate key road and rail links today for example.
  • Classic views channelled up and down the Glens, with steep side slopes framing landscapes that lie beyond them.

The A83 Trunk Road connects Tarbet with Lochgilphead, Kennacraig and Campbeltown. It commences at the A82 / A83 junction within Tarbet leading generally south-westwards for a distance of 158 kilometres to (and including) its junction with New Quay Street at the Campbeltown Ferry Terminal. The A83 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Special Protection Area (SPA) (NatureScot Site Code: 10113) (SiteLink) lies approximately 2.3km northwest of the scheme at its closest point.

Due to high mobility of the qualifying features, ecological connectivity is present between the scheme area and Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA, and a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details.

Beinn an Lochain Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (NatureScot Site Code: 163) lies 220m west of the scheme at its nearest point. The SSSI is designated for siliceous scree (includes boulder fields), tall herb ledge and upland assemblage.

The scheme is not located within 300m of any other site designated for biological features, such as a National Nature Reserve (SiteLink) or Local Nature Reserve (Spatial Hub).

Numerous records of bird species were also returned within 2km of the works under the same search criteria. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their nests are protected with some birds, particularly those listed on Schedule 1 of the act, which receive additional protection.

Under the same search criteria, no records of injurious or invasive species of plants (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) were returned.

A search of the Transport Scotland Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool did not return records of invasive or injurious weeds (as listed in the NMC) within the scheme extents.

Habitat in the surrounding area is dominated by rough grassland with exposed rockfaces and craggy peaks, with areas of dense plantation woodland to the south of the scheme. Freshwater habitat within the area is provided by numerous smaller watercourses which are culverted and/or spanned by the trunk road within the scheme extents.

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

There are no areas of woodland or individual trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents (Argyll and Bute Council) & (LLTNP).

BEAR Scotland undertook regular watching briefs during all helicopter flights associated with the A83 RaBT Barrier Repairs (Phase 1) between April and May 2026. In addition, BEAR Scotland's Environmental Team completed an Ecological Constraints Survey (ECS) for the A83 RaBT Lower Slopes Channel 3A/3B scheme on 7 January 2026. The Channel 3A/3B works are located in proximity to the proposed scheme.

No dedicated surveys for A83 RaBT Barrier Repairs have been undertaken due to the ongoing engineering activity, including heavy excavation within the working area. In view of the existing level of disturbance and the nature of the proposed works, ecological site surveys were deemed unnecessary.

Geology and soils

There are no geological SSSIs or Geological Conservation Review Sites within 300m of the scheme extents (SiteLink).

Bedrock within the scheme extents is primarily classified as Beinn Bheula Schist Formation comprised of psammite and pelite, with superficial deposits of diamicton till (British Geology Viewer).

Soils within the scheme extents are classified as peaty gleyed podzols with peaty gleys with dystrophic semi-confined peat (Scotland’s Soils).

The carbon and peatland 2016 map records soil within the scheme as Class 3 and Class 5. Both classes identify peat soils with no peatland vegetation or some heath present (Scotland’s Soils).

Material assets and waste

The RaBT embankment is subject to ongoing soil movement, which affects adjacent watercourses by causing sediment accumulation at barrier fences and altering natural channel alignments. Maintenance works are required to ensure effective drainage within the A83 trunk road boundary, minimise silt build-up, preserve watercourse functionality, and prevent further progression of landslips that could affect the stability of the embankment and surrounding infrastructure.

The proposed works will utilise the following materials:

  • Concrete
  • Rock anchors
  • Grout
  • Petrol and diesel

Wastes are anticipated to be excavated silt/landslip material and vegetation (if vegetation management is required). Concrete repairs may produce some concrete waste. Any waste material generated from excavation will be disposed of at a licenced facility.

As the scheme value is £550,000 a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) has been completed for these works.

Noise and vibration

For residential, community and commercial receptors, refer to the ‘Population and Human Health’ section below.

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2024-2028.

The average modelled evening, day and night-time (Lden) noise level at the scheme extent range between 60-65dB (Scotland’s Noise Map).

The nearest vehicle traffic counter to the scheme (Site name: A83 West of Arrochar, Site ID: 000000008338) lies approximately 4.03km south of the scheme. An Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow was taken in 2025 which counted 4,326 motor vehicles, with 10.8% of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

The baseline noise and vibration in the scheme extents are primarily influenced by vehicles travelling along the A83 trunk road.

Population and human health

There are two residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents. Both properties are well screened from the scheme extents by the surrounding topography. The closest property is located approximately 215m southwest of the scheme extents.

The RaBT viewpoint including car park lies 160m east at its nearest point. The access point to the viewpoint/car park lies 250m north of the scheme.

There are no laybys, footpaths, cycle paths, or local access roads within the scheme extents.

There is one WalkHighlands walking route within 300m of the scheme extents. The ‘Beinn Luibhean’ walking route begins on the south side of the Croe Water, and travels broadly north, at approximately a 45° angle from the A83 carriageway. The start of the walking route is located approximately 200m south of the scheme extents (WalkHighlands).

There are no recognised core paths (Argyll & Bute Council) or cycle routes within 300m of the scheme extents (OS Maps).

TM will involve single lane closure with two-way temporary traffic lights and 30mph speed restriction. No diversion routes are required.

Road drainage and the water environment

Croe Water (ID: 10215) runs broadly parallel to the scheme extents for the entire length of the scheme. It is located approximately 170m south of the scheme extents at its closest point. It was rated as having a “Good” overall status in 2024 (SEPA). It is part of the Cowal/Clyde Sealochs coastal catchment and ultimately drains into Loch Long.

The works require silt management and bank works within several minor and waterbodies unclassified by SEPA. Works within these watercourses are not subject to authorisation under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR). However, the Phase 7 watercourse at Location 3 is visible on the 1:50,000 Ordinary Survey Map and the proposed bank reinforcement works are therefore subject to authorisation under the EASR. All of the watercourses drain into Croe Water southwest of the scheme.

The scheme lies within the Cowal and Lomond groundwater basin (ID: 150689), which was classified as having a “Good” overall status by SEPA in 2024. It is also listed as a Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA) (SEPA).

The SEPA indicative surface water online flood mapping tool records the A83 within the scheme extents as having medium to high likelihood of surface water and small watercourses flooding, which means that each year, this area has 0.5% to 10% likelihood of flooding.

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland.

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045.

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets.

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 the above noted legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. 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).