Description of local environment

Air quality

There are no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within 10km of the scheme extents. 

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

There are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS) within 10km of the scheme extents.

Baseline air quality is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A84/A85 carriageways; with secondary sources derived from nearby land management activities and urban activities associated with Lochearnhead.

Cultural heritage

The following cultural heritage features are recorded within 300m of the schemes (PastMap):

Category C Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, Village Shop on A84’ (ID: LB50344) lies 10m west of the scheme.

Category B Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, Auchraw Terrace, Wester Auchraw Croft’ (ID: LB4172) lies 60m north of the scheme.

Category B Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, Former Railway Viaduct Over the Ogle Burn’ (ID: LB4170) lies 110m east of the scheme.

Category C Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, Bridge on A65 Over Ogle Burn’ (ID: LB47554) lies 140m east of the scheme.

Category B Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, Briar Cottage’ (ID: LB4173) lies 280m east of the scheme.

Category B Listed Building ‘Lochearnhead, St Angus Episcopal Church’ (ID: LB44186) lies 300m south of the scheme.

Of lesser Cultural Heritage value, numerous National Records of the Historic Environment (NHREs) and Historic Environment Records (HERs) lie within 300m the scheme. The closest of these is HER ‘Lochearnhead’ (ID: 66004), which is a milestones and lies within the scheme extents.

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

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is located wholly within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (LLTNP) (Site ID: 8621) which is designated for the following general special 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 Scenic Area (NSA) or any other site designated for its landscape and visual character (SiteLink).

The Landscape Character Type within the schemes is recorded as ‘LCT 254 - Straths and Glens with Lochs’ and ‘LCT 252 – Upland Glens, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs’ (NatureScot) which have the following key characteristics:

LCT 252 – Upland Glens, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs

  • 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.

LCT 254 – Straths and Glens with Lochs

  • 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.

The A84 Trunk Road, within the North West, connects Stirling with Doune, Calendar 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 a distance of 44.7 kilometres to its junction with the A85 in Lochearnhead. The A84 is a single carriageway along its length.

The A85 Trunk Road, within the North West, connects Perth with Crianlarich and Tyndrum to Oban. The Perth to Crianlarich section commences at the Crieff Road Roundabout within Perth (including the roundabout) leading generally westwards for a distance of 81 kilometres to (but excluding) the A85 / A82 Crianlarich Roundabout. The Tyndrum to Oban section commences at the A82 / A85 Tyndrum junction leading generally westwards for a distance of 57 kilometres to its junction with the A816 within Oban (excluding the roundabout at Argyll Square). The A85 is a single carriageway along its length. 

Biodiversity

There are no European designated sites (i.e. Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Ramsar sites) within 2km of the scheme extents (SiteLink). 

There are no Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) within 300m of, or which share connectivity with, the scheme extents (SiteLink).

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas holds several records of bird species within 2km of the schemes (the search criteria included only records during the past ten years, and which have open-use attributions (OGL-CC0-CC-BY)). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), all wild birds and their active nests are protected, with certain species receiving additional protections.

The NBN Atlas holds no records of injurious or invasive weeds (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) under the same search criteria.

The Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds one record of common ragwort (Jacobae vulgaris) and rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) within 300m of the A85 scheme, with none recorded in proximity to the A84 scheme extents.

Habitat in the surrounding area is dominated by grazing pastures, freshwater habitat, mixed woodland, including forestry plantations, and residential settlements.

Woodland listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI)  as ancient (of semi natural origin) lies 200m northeast of the scheme extents.

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) designated by LLTNP within 300m of the schemes.

Geology and soils

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS’s) or SSSI’s designated for geological features within 300m of the schemes (SiteLink).

Superficial deposits within the scheme extents consist of Till and Morainic Deposits (diamicton, sand and gravel). Bedrock geology within the scheme extents is comprised of Loch Tay Limestone Formation (Metalimestone) and Pitlochry Schist Formation (psammite and semipelite) (BGS Geology Viewer).

Component soils within scheme extents are humus-iron podzols with peaty gleys (Scotland’s Soils).

Soils in the area around the scheme extent are comprised of Class 0 mineral soils, and peatland habitats are not typically found on such soils (Carbon and Peatland Map 2016).

This receptor has no constraints (as identified in Environmental Baseline) that are likely to be impacted by the proposed works and as such ‘geology and soils’ is scoped out and is not discussed further within this RoD.

Material assets and waste

The resurfacing works are required to replace the worn surface and general maintenance of the A84/A85 trunk roads, requiring binder inlay, and reinstallation 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 recovered for re-use in line with BEAR Scotland’s Procedure 126: The Production of Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings. The Contractor is responsible for the disposal of road planings, and this has been registered in accordance with a Paragraph 13(a) waste exemption issued by Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), as described in Schedule 3 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 2011.

If coal tar–bound material is encountered, opportunities for recycling or recovery will be explored where feasible and in accordance with current regulatory guidance. Where recycling is not practicable, the contaminated road planings will be classified and managed as Special Waste in compliance with the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011. 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 schemes do 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 TM on the A84/A85 carriageways.

Noise and vibration

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019-2023.

Modelled noise data from Environmental Noise Directive (END) Round 4 Noise Mapping for the A84/A85 at the scheme extent shows that the day, evening and night levels (Lden) fall between 59-62dB (Scotland’s Noise).

Baseline noise levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A84/A85 carriageways with secondary sources derived from nearby land management activities and urban activities associated with Lochearnhead.

Population and human health

The scheme lies in the village of Lochearnhead with numerous residential (approximately 100) and commercial properties within 300m of the schemes. The nearest of these is a residential property ‘Tigh na Crich’ and lies directly adjacent to the carriageway with no acoustic or visual screening from the scheme extents. Several access points to local roads and properties lie within the scheme extents.

Sections of paved pedestrian footpaths lie adjacent to both carriageways within the scheme extents. Numerous bus stops and parking facilities lie adjacent to the carriageways within the scheme extents.

National Cycle Network Route 7 (National Cycle Routes) lies parallel to the A84 carriageway west of the scheme at a distance of 290m.

Two walking routes designated by WalkHighlands ‘Craeg Mac Ranaich and Meall an t-Seallaidh’ and ‘Glen Ogle Trail, Lochearnhead’ utilise paved pedestrian footpaths within both scheme extents.

Starting points to five Core Paths lie along the A84/A85 carriageways within scheme extents, all of which lead away from the carriageway.

In 2024, Traffic Scotland recorded an average daily traffic (ADT) of 3,608 vehicles on the A85, approximately 2 – 3km southwest of the scheme extents (Site: ATC06003 A84(T) Leitters Farm [16225 A84T 76]), of which 9.7% were heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

TM for works on the A84 section will involve single lane closures with two-three-way temporary traffic lights and a convoy system in place. TM for works on the A85 section will involve a full road closure with regular amnesties.

Road drainage and the water environment

Loch Earn (ID: 100251) lies 10m south of the scheme extents at its closest point and was classed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as having an overall condition of ‘moderate’ in 2023 (SEPA).

The River Ogle (ID: 6824) at its nearest lies 110m southwest of the scheme. The River Ogle classed by SEPA under the WFD as having an overall condition of ‘high’ in 2023 (SEPA).

Several minor watercourses (unclassified by SEPA), including tributaries and drainage ditches, are culverted beneath the A85/A84 within the scheme extents and are located within 300 m of the proposed works.

SEPA Flood Map has highlighted a high risk of river flooding and surface water and small watercourse flooding within the scheme extents (i.e. 10% chance of flooding each year).

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).