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 in whole or in part in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs 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 schemes:

  • The works are localised to the A83 RaBT embankment and extend along a 700m section of the A83, covering a total area of approximately 0.7ha.
  • The works will be temporary, localised, and completed during daytime hours over 6 weeks.
  • The works may require the use of helicopter for delivery of plant and materials to the embankment where access by foot and plant is not viable.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • The works will improve the road drainage at the A83 RaBT embankment and the A83 trunk road.
  • 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 during the operational phase.

Location of the schemes:

  • The scheme is located within land owned by Transport Scotland and as such, the works do not require land take.
  • Although the scheme is located within LLTNP, the works involve minor landscape modification in an area of ongoing remediation works and will reduce the appearance and continuation of current significant erosion. Therefore, works are predicted to have a minor adverse but insignificant effect on its special landscape qualities. Advice from the National Park Authority will be sought, and recommendations received will be implemented as part of the works.
  • Installation of baffle walls at the Phase 7 waterbody requires an EASR Registration from SEPA, which will be obtained prior to the works taking place.
  • The scheme holds ecological connectivity with Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA which lies 2.3km northwest of the scheme. The HRA including AA concluded that the works will not result in an AESI on the qualifying feature of the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne SPA with relevant mitigation in place.
  • The works area does not lie within any densely populated areas, any sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance, or sites designated for their geology or soils.
  • The site compound will be located on made ground within TM.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the schemes:

  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and generally limited to the construction phase.
  • Containment measures will be in place to prevent debris or pollutants from entering the surrounding environment.
  • 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 maintenance works at the A83 RaBT embankment, 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.
  • Works are programmed to be undertaken over 6 weeks by utilising daytime working programme.
  • 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.