Description of local environment

Air quality

VMS- A3

The scheme is located within a rural area of the B9152 within the Highland Council area. Baseline air quality is expected to be primarily influenced by traffic flow along the B9152 and the nearby A9 approximately 60m northwest, with secondary sources from surrounding agricultural activities.

There is no Average Annual Daily Flow (AADF) data for the B9152 however, an automatic count point located 900m north of the scheme extents (ID: 40821) on the A9 carriageway (Grid Ref: NH 88999 11068) recorded 9,242 vehicles per day in 2025, including 1,183 of these being HGVs.

VMS- A4

The scheme is located within a rural area of the A95 within the Highland Council area. Baseline air quality is expected to be primarily influenced by traffic on the A95 and the nearby A9 trunk road, located approximately 300m west of the scheme extents, with secondary sources from surrounding residential and agricultural activities.

The AADF data for the A95, obtained from a count point located immediately south of the scheme extents (Count Point ID: 30868), recorded 4,642 vehicles per day in 2025, of which 504 of these being HGVs.

There are no permanent air quality sensitive receptors within 200m of the proposed A3 and A4 VMS.

A review of the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) identified no registered air pollutant releases sites within 1km of either VMS signs. In addition, no air quality monitoring sites are located within 200m of VMS A3 and A4. 

The Highland Council currently has no declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), indicating that concentrations of key pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM₁₀), and particulate matter less 2.5 microns (PM₂.₅), are generally within the limits set by the Scottish air quality objectives.

There are no permanent air quality sensitive receptors within 200m of the proposed works. Given the rural setting, the absence of nearby sensitive receptors, and the relatively low traffic flows recorded on the local road network, baseline air quality conditions are anticipated to be good.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets and an area of 200m was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets.

Historic Environment Records (HERs) and National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) provide local and national level information on Scotland’s historic environment.

VMS - A3

There are no designated cultural heritage assets located within 300m of the scheme.

The following HER and NRHE are located within 200m of the scheme:

  • Easter Lynwilg Bridge ID- MHG23952 an HER located approximately 120m northeast of the works.
  • General Wade's Military Road, Alvie ID- MHG30057 located approximately 120m southeast of the works.

VMS- A4

There are no designated cultural heritage assets located within 300m of the scheme.

The Field System - Loch Nan Carraigean, REF- MHG40377 HER is located approximately 60m northeast of the works.

No direct impacts are anticipated on the identified non-designated assets as no land take is required and works remain within the trunk road boundary, involving replacements to existing infrastructure for both the A3 and A4 sites. No indirect impacts, such as impacts on setting of the assets will occur as the works are located over 50m from the HERs, with complete screening from the works.

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

The proposed A3 and A4 VMS signs are located within a rural landscape characterised by woodland, grazing land and agricultural fields.

The Scottish Landscape Character Assessment surrounding the signs identifies the area as Upland Strath, characterised by a large flat-bottomed strath with meadows and wetlands.

Five Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) sites are present within 500m of the works, with the closest being Wood ID-6843, approximately 190m south of A3 VMS and another being Granish (Ancient – of semi- natural origin (ID-7207), located 30m northwest of VMS-A4.

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within the scheme extents or within 500m both sign locations.

A desktop study using NatureScot Sitelink and PastMap has identified the following designated landscape areas within 500m of the works. These include:

 VMS – A3

  • Cairngorms National Park, within which the works are located;
  • Doune of Rothiemurchus Garden and Designed landscape (ID- GDL00139) located approximately 120m southeast of the works; and
  • Kinrara Garden and Designed landscape (ID- GDL00246) located approximately 360m south of the works.

VMS – A4

  • Cairngorms National Park, within which the works are located.

No other landscape designated sites such as National Scenic Areas (NSAs) and Local and Regional Nature Reserves have been identified within 500m of the works.

Visual

VMS-A3 and VMS-A4

No permanent visual receptors have been identified at either location due to the presence of mature vegetation and the enclosed nature of the surrounding landscape.

Transient visual receptors are limited to road users (motorists and public transport users) travelling through the areas, who will experience brief and intermittent views of the works.

Biodiversity

VMS- A3 and VMS -A4

A desktop review has been undertaken using SiteLink which has identified that the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is located approximately 260m east of the works at its closest point from VMS-3 and VMS-4. A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken.

Scotland’s Environment Map has not identified any Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) or National Nature Reserves (NNRs) within 200m of either site.

VMS-A3

There are five areas of woodland designated under the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) within 500m of the works with the closest with Wood ID-6843, located approximately 190m south of the works at its closest point.

VMS – A4

In addition to the River Spey SAC, Kinveachy Forest SAC and Special Protection Area (SPA) are located approximately 1.4 km west of the site.

Five Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) sites are located within 500 m of the works, the closest being Granish (ID 7207), an ancient semi-natural woodland located approximately 30m northwest of the site.

Ecology Field Survey

VMS- A3 & VMS- A4

An ecological field survey was undertaken by two Amey Ecologists on the 15th and 16th June 2026.

Geology and soils

VMS-A3 and VMS-A4

The National Soil Map of Scotland has identified the local soil type as humus-iron podzols.

A desktop study using NatureScot’s Sitelink has not identified any geological sensitive sites within 1km of the scheme extents.

A desktop study using the British Geological Survey Map identifies the local geology types as the following:

  • Bedrock geology: Pityoulish Formation-Psammite and semipelite. The origin of these rocks is uncertain and precludes a simple classification of their environmental setting or mode of formation. However, they have undergone metamorphism or crushing in a fault or shear zone.
  • Superficial deposits: Alluvium-Clay, silt, sand and gravel. These sedimentary deposits are fluvial in origin. They are detrital, ranging from coarse- to fine-grained and form beds and lenses of deposits reflecting the channels, floodplains and levees of a river or estuary (if in a coastal setting).

There are no landfill sites within 2km each VMS location.

VMS 3 and VMS 4 are not located within a Coal Mining Reporting Area as defined by the Coal Authority and Mining Remediation Authority.

Material assets and waste

Materials

VMS A3 & A4

Materials required are as follows:

  • VMS sign face and post;
  • Paving and hardstand;
  • Ducting and cabling; and
  • VRS barrier.

New metal components will include a proportion of recycled content, subject to supplier specifications, and a concrete mix incorporating cement replacement products is also proposed.

Wastes

VMS A3 & A4

The waste produced by the scheme will consist of: 

  • Excavated material;
  • Existing VMS sign face and post; and
  • Existing VRS.

The waste hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Dispose) will be employed throughout the investigation and construction works.

All waste will be managed in accordance with the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, under the relevant SEPA waste authorisation for recovery, reuse or disposal.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will not be prepared prior to the works due to the scheme value being less than £350,000.

Noise and vibration

For baseline information on the wider setting, refer to the Air Quality section.

Both VMS locations are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan Road Maps.

VMS-A3

One residential property, Lynwilg House, is located approximately 250m northwest of the works and is the only Noise Sensitive Receptor (NSR) within 300m of the site.

According to the Scotland Noise Map, modelled day-evening-night noise levels (Lden) along the scheme extents range from >60 dB to 65 dB, while night-time noise levels (Lnight; 23:00-07:00) range from >55 dB to 60 dB. Similar Lnight levels (>55 dB to 60 dB) are predicted at Lynwilg House.

VMS-A4

There are no residential properties or other NSRs within 300m of the works.

According to the Scotland Noise Map, modelled day-evening-night noise levels (Lden) along the scheme extents range from >60 dB to 65 dB, while night-time noise levels (Lnight; 23:00-07:00) range from >55 dB to 60 dB.

Population and human health

A reduced 300m buffer has been applied to reflect the localised nature of the works, which comprise the replacement of existing VMS infrastructure within the existing road corridor.

Private Property and Housing

Proposed works at each location will be contained within the existing carriageway boundary, requiring no land take from private or residential land.

VMS-A3

One residential property, Lynwilg House, is located approximately 250m northwest of the works.

VMS-A4

There are no residential properties within 300m of the works.

Development Land and Businesses

VMS- A3

The following businesses are located within 300m of VMS-A3.

  • Kinara distillery, approximately 250m northwest of the site; and
  • Aviemore Dog Park, approximately 20m northwest of the site.

VMS-A4

The following businesses are located within 300m of VMS-A4.

  • Granish Quarry, approximately 100m east of the site.

Agricultural Land Holdings

VMS-A3 and VMS-A4

Both sites are located within a semi-rural area, with grazing agricultural land situated south of the scheme extents. No agricultural access points are located within the works areas. All works will be undertaken within the existing carriageway boundary, and no land take from agricultural land will be required.

Community Land and Assets

VMS-A3 and VMS-A4

No community assets, including educational, medical, religious or recreational facilities, are located within 300m of either site.

Walking, Cycling and Horse-Riding (WCH) Routes

VMS-A3 and VM-A4

There is no WCH provision adjacent to the scheme extents on the A9 and the A95, including National Cycle Network routes or core paths. The route is not street lit, and there are no bus stops or lay-bys within the works area.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

VMS- A3

A desktop review of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub has identified the River Spey (ID: 23097), approximately 40m southeast of the location. SEPA has classified this watercourse as having an overall status of ‘Poor Ecological Potential’.

The Allt-na-Criche River is located approximately 70m northeast of the scheme and passes beneath the carriageway before discharging to the River Spey.

The site lies within the River Spey (ID: 23097) Surface Water Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA).

VMS -A4

A desktop review of Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub has identified the River Spey (ID: 23097), approximately 260m southeast of the location. SEPA has classified this watercourse as having an overall status of ‘Poor Ecological Potential’.

The Allt-na-Criche River is located, 200m northeast of the scheme and passes beneath the carriageway before discharging to the River Spey.

The scheme is located within the River Spey (ID: 23097 Surface Water Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA).

Groundwater

VMS-A3 and VMS- A4

The SEPA Water Classification Map identifies the underlying groundwater body as Spey Sand and Gravel (ID: 150814,) which is classified as being in ‘good’ condition.

Neither site is located within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Both sites are located within Upper Spey Sand and Gravel Groundwater Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA) (ID: 150814).

Flood risk

SEPA’s Flood Map has not identified any areas of flooding on the B9152 or A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.

The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act).The budgets are as follows:

  • 2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 50% lower than baseline.
  • 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 60% lower than baseline.
  • 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
  • 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.

These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.

Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, representing for 37% nationwide, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 50% by 2030. To support this, Transport Scotland’s Fourth Carbon Management Plan is committed to reaching Net Zero emissions across corporate activities by 2027. This will contribute to achieving a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.

Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040.