Description of local environment

Air quality

No Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) (Air Quality Management Areas) are located within 10km of the scheme.

There are no air quality monitoring stations located within 10km of the proposed works (Scottish Air Quality).

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

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the A84 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from land management within the surrounding area.

Cultural heritage

There are no designated features for cultural heritage such as, Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments, Garden & Designed Landscapes, Conservation Areas, Battlefields or World Heritage Sites found within 300m of the scheme extent (PastMap).

Several records of lesser cultural heritage importance are noted on the National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE) and Historic Environment Record (HER) databases. The closest lies within the scheme extent noted as HER ‘Strathyre Military Road’ (PastMap).

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is not located within a National Scenic Area (NSA) (SiteLink). However, the scheme does fall within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) (NatureScot Site code: 8621) which is designated for 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.
  • The easily accessible landscape splendour.

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) (LCT 254) within the scheme extent is recorded as Straths and Glens with Lochs, which has the following key characteristics:

  • Strongly enclosed by steep and often rugged hill slopes with lochs filling much of the space between, leaving only a narrow flatter margin against the loch shore.
  • Lochs generally long and narrow.
  • Narrow passes occur between some lochs. Subtle promontories and narrow beaches feature on loch shorelines, - these particularly appreciated in long views down the length of the lochs. Modification of natural lochs and water catchments in the Park, giving rise to a variety of structures including dams and aqueducts – many of these comprise distinctive 19th Century structures.
  • Settlements often located at the head of lochs and major through roads are aligned through some of these glens and straths.
  • Scattered traditional dwellings or clusters of buildings usually located close to alluvial pastures at the intersection with side glens and water courses on some loch shores.
  • Tourism and recreation facilities along loch shores.
  • Highland-type designed landscapes, grand houses, hunting lodges, and associated features, policies and parklands occupy prime loch shore positions. Pier and timber boat houses are a common feature in association with houses and estates particularly on Loch Ard.
  • Lochs are highly visible, with roads and cycle/walking routes aligned close to their shores.
  • Long views are possible across open water to the Highland Summits and the combination of craggy towering hills and smooth water is an essential component of the scenic richness of the National Park.

Land use (HLAmap) within 300m of the scheme extent is classified as a combination of freshwater area (Loch Lubnaig), managed woodland, and plantation woodland.

The A84 carriageway is a prominent linear landscape feature. The road corridor, for example, has a distinct character shaped by fast-flowing traffic, road markings, safety barriers, signage, landscaping, etc. The scale of the carriageway detracts from the quality and character of the wider landscape.

The A84 Trunk Road, within the North West Network Management Contract (NMC), connects Stirling with Doune, Callander and Lochearnhead. It commences from its junction with the M9 at and including the eastern most roundabout at Craigforth Stirling (M9 junction 10) leading generally north-westwards for 44.7 kilometres to its junction with the A85 in Lochearnhead. The A84 is a single carriageway along its length.

Biodiversity

The River Teith Special Area of Conservation (SAC) lies approximately 15m west from the A84 carriageway at the scheme extent (SiteLink) (NatureScot Site Code: 8367).

A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken to assess the potential effects of the works on the qualifying features of the site. Refer to the Biodiversity Impacts and Mitigation section below.

Loch Lubnaig Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (NatureScot site code: 1004) at its closest point lies adjacent to the A84 carriageway at the most northern section of the scheme.

No other locally or nationally designated sites with biodiversity features (such as, Local Nature Reserves (LNR) or National Nature Reserves (NNR)) are located within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

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.

A search of NBN Atlas identified no records of invasive and injurious plant species (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) using the same search criteria.

A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds records of the following invasive non-native species of plant(as listed in the NMC) within 300m of the scheme:

  • Japanese knotweed (Reynoutra japonica) growths recorded in verge of a layby located on the northbound side of the carriageway at the most northern end of the scheme.

Habitat surrounding the A84 carriageway at the scheme extent is dominated by plantation woodlands (densely planted coniferous tree species), and managed woodlands (consisting of broad-leaved tree species and native pine species). Loch Lubnaig is a prominent feature in the landscape and lies west of the scheme providing freshwater habitat for a range of aquatic and semi-aquatic species.

An area of ancient (of semi-natural origin) woodland (Site ID:32) flanks the A84 carriageway throughout the scheme extent (Ancient Woodland Inventory).

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) present within 300m of the scheme (Stirling Council TPO and LLTNP TPO).

It is considered unlikely that any terrestrial mammal species of conservation importance are associated with permanent habitat or resting places within the area of likely construction disturbance. Therefore, a field survey has been ruled out, and a desktop study has been deemed sufficient for this assessment.

Geology and soils

River Balvag Delta Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS) lies approximately 40m west from the scheme (SiteLink). Loch Lubnaig Marshes SSSI (1004) at its closest point lies adjacent to the scheme and is designated for Fluvial Geomorphology of Scotland along with several biodiversity features (as listed above).

Bedrock geology (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists of:

  • Loch Katrine Volcaniclastic Formation-Metasandstone and metamudstone.
  • Loch Katrine Volcaniclastic Formation-Metavolcaniclastic-sedimentary rock.

Superficial deposits (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists of:

  • Alluvial fan deposits-gravel, sand, silt and clay.
  • Till-Diamicton.

Soils within throughout the scheme are recorded as browns earths (Scotland's Soils).

Soils within the scheme extent are recorded as being of Carbon and Peatland ‘Class 0’, class is associated with mineral soil where peatland habitats are not typically found (Carbon and Peatland Map).

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are necessary to resurface the worn carriageway, likely requiring binder inlay, and reinstation of road markings. Materials used will consist of:

  • Asphaltic material
  • Bituminous emulsion bond coat
  • Milled in road studs
  • Thermoplastic road marking paint

Wastes are anticipated to be removed planings from the surface course, which will be treated in line with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s (SEPA) Position Statement WAS-G-DEF-07 (LRWA 3) and recycled in line with SEPA Guidance WAS-G-DEF-05 on End-of-Waste for Recycled Aggregates. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring full compliance with these requirements.

It has not been confirmed if any coal tar is present. If present, any coal tar contaminated road planings will be classified as a Special Waste. Special waste consignment notes (SWCN) will be obtained from SEPA to allow the movement of the contaminated planings. Coal tar contaminated road planings will be transported by a registered waste carrier to an appropriate waste recovery facility, and SEPA will be notified prior to the Special Waste leaving site.

The value of the scheme does not exceed £350,000; therefore, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required.

No site compound is required for these works. Storage of plant and equipment will be within the A84 carriageway.

Noise and vibration

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

A search of Scotland's Noise Map returned records for noise levels during the night (LNGT) within the A84 and its verges between 55 and 65dB.

The scheme does not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2024 - 2028

Baseline noise levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A84 carriageway. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network and rural activities associated with land management within the area.

Population and human health

The scheme traverses a significant rural area where properties are scarce. However, there is one residential property located within 300m of the scheme. This property is located beyond the southernmost section of the scheme extent (approximately 170m southeast) and sits on the southbound side of the carriageway. There is a level of acoustic screening provided by a corridor of mature coniferous and broadleaf trees. There is an outbuilding (tin roof and wooden sides) also located beyond the southernmost section of the scheme extent (approximately 140m southeast) and sits on the northbound side of the carriageway. Its use is unknown.

There is one layby located on the northbound side of the carriageway at the northern most section of the scheme.

There are no paved pedestrian footpaths, bus stops or any other public amenities within the scheme extent.

According to Scottish Road Works there are no other works scheduled within 300m of the scheme (Scottish Road Works Online).

There are no National Cycle Network (NCN) routes (OS Maps) or walking routes listed on WalkHighlands, LLTNP Core Paths or Core Paths Stirling Council within 300m of the scheme.

Transport Scotland’s manual data counter (Site name: ATC06003) located 6.3km north from the scheme, recorded an annual daily total (ADT) of 3,769 motor vehicles in 2025, of which 10% were Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Traffic Management will consist of full A84 road closures with hourly amnesties (19.00-06.00).

Road drainage and the water environment

‘Trossachs’ (ID 150680) is a groundwater body, in the Scotland river basin district, which underlies the scheme. It has been awarded an overall status of ‘good’ in 2024 by SEPA under the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) (Water Classification Hub).

‘Loch Lubnaig’ (ID: 100258) is a lake, in the River Forth catchment of the Scotland river basin district. At its closest point it lies approximately 15m west from the scheme. It was awarded an overall status of ‘moderate’ in 2024 by SEPA (Water Classification Hub).

‘River Balvag’ is a river (ID: 4737), in the River Forth catchment of the Scotland river basin district. It lies approximately 250m west from the scheme. It was awarded an overall status of ‘good’ in 2024 by SEPA (Water Classification Hub).

Small unclassified surface waterbodies and/or culverted drainage channels that flow below and within proximity of the A84 carriageway may be present within 300m of the scheme.

The A84 carriageway within the scheme falls within an area that has no likelihood of river or coastal water flooding each year. However, sections of the A84 carriageway within the scheme extent falls within a high likelihood (10% chance) of surface water and small watercourse flooding each year (SEPA Flood Maps).

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).