Air quality

This scheme is being undertaken along the A9 SB carriageway, southwest of Perth in Perth and Kinross. The immediate scheme extents are in cutting along the middle section of the works area. The carriageway is bordered by a soft grass verge, with areas of mixed woodland lining its boundary. Beyond this, the landscape opens out into expanses of arable land and agricultural fields.

A single residential property, Chapelbank House, along with its adjacent farm, lies within 200m of the site. The property is located approximately 161m north of the proposed scheme extents. There are no other sensitive air quality receptors within 200m of the works.

The primary factor affecting baseline air quality is traffic along the A9 road network combined with agricultural activities in the wider area. Manual count point 80347, located approximately 90m west of the works along the A9 carriageway, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 27,755 with 3,127 (11%) of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Perth and Kinross Council have declared two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), however, both are situated beyond 200m of the proposed scheme extents. See details below:

• Perth AQMA located approximately 7.5km northeast of the works has been declared in 2006 due to Particulate Matter of a diameter less than 10 microns (PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels exceeding government standards, and;
• Perth No. 2 – Creiff AQMA located approximately 14.5km southwest of the works has been declared in 2014 due to PM₁₀ and NO₂ levels exceeding government standards. However, this was revoked in 2024.

There are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations located within 200m of the works area. Furthermore, there are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) within 1km of the scheme extents.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap online mapping tool. The study area covered a 300m radius for designated cultural heritage assets and a 200m radius for non-designated cultural heritage assets.

There are no Conservation Areas located within 200m of the scheme extents.

Full details of designated assets can be found below:

• Battle of Dupplin Moor Battlefield (ID: BTL8) which is located approximately 73m northeast of the scheme extents. This battle was significant as it was the first battle of the Second War of Scottish Independence.
• Chapelbank Farmhouse Category C Listed Building (ID: LB11212) which is located approximately 160m north of the scheme extents. This has been recorded to be a early 19^th-centuray building.
• Masterfield Pit Alignments 450m NNE Scheduled Monument (ID: SM8768) which is located 280m south of the works. This monument comprises of two roughly parallel lines of pits, probably dating to the prehistoric period.

Full details of non-designated assets can be found below:

• Battle of Dupplin Moor (ID: MPK17754) Historic Environment Record (HER) which is located 72m northeast of the scheme extents. This recorded a battlefield, late medieval.
• Nether Keir National Record of Historic Environment (NRHE) (ID: 354737) located 94m north of the scheme extents. This has been record to be a 19^th centuary Milestone.
• Nether Keir HER (ID: MPK7761) located within the scheme extents. This recorded a farmstead.
• Nether Keir NRHE (ID: 90417) located 70m south of the scheme extents. This recorded a farmstead.
• Chapelbank NRHE (ID: 26627) located 150m north of the scheme extents. This recorded a farmstead.
• Dalreoch A9 Bridge NRHE (ID: 298322) located 50m southwest of the scheme extents. This is recorded to be a road bridge from the late 20^th
• Dalreoch A9 Bridge NRHE (ID: MPK17994) located 50m southwest of the scheme extents. This is recorded to be a road bridge from an unassigned period.

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

The immediate scheme extents are in cutting along the middle section of the works area. The carriageway is bordered by a soft grass verge, with areas of mixed woodland lining its boundary. Beyond this, the landscape opens out into expanses of arable land and agricultural fields. There are no distinctive cultural landscape or historical landscape features within the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Environment Web, no landscape designations, including National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or any Gardens and Designed Landscapes, are situated within 500m of the proposed scheme extents. There is an unnamed Long-Established Ancient (of plantation origin) Woodland (ID: 81) located approximately 269m north of the scheme extents. There are also no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) located within 500m of the works.

Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map, has identified that the LCT within the scheme extents can be classed as the following:

• 384 - Broad Valley Lowlands - Tayside characterised by broad, settled lowland agricultural valleys, with fertile soils. These share a range of common characteristics which set them apart from other valleys and glens. There are, however, significant variations in landscape character within this type, primarily relating to topography.
• 380 - Lowland Hills - Tayside comprises a series of low ridges and hills between Strathallan and Strath Tay, separating the lowland valleys.

Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment (HLA) Map has identified that the land within the scheme extents has been previously used as ‘Motorway and Major Roads’. This modern transport systems have focussed on the construction and extension of multi-laned motorways, with their associated service stations. Providing links between major cities, they cover considerable areas of land. The land surrounding the scheme extents can be classed as a mixture of ‘Fresh Water Area’ and ‘Woodland and Forestry – Plantation’.

Visual

Given the existing mixed woodland vegetation along both carriageways, the works are not expected to be visible from any residential dwellings or community facilities.

Transient visual receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A9, who will experience brief and intermittent views of the scheme. Typically, the views from the carriageway are pockets of woodland, with community area in the wider surroundings.

The following core paths can be found within 300m of the scheme extents:

• Core Path Cairnie Braes (old A9), Dalreoch Bridge to Cairnie Cottage (ID: METH/162) is located 95m north of the scheme extents;
• Core Path B9141 at Broom Villa via A9 underpass and banks of River Earn to old A9 at Dalreoch Bridge (ID: DNNG/118) is located approximately 121m west of the scheme extents, and;
• Core Path B9141 at Broom Villa via A9 underpass and banks of River Earn to old A9 at Dalreoch Bridge (ID: DNNG/118) is located 124m southwest of the scheme extents.

Users of the above core paths are not expected to have sight of the proposed works.

Biodiversity

Protected Areas

A desktop study was undertaken using NatureScot’s online research tool Sitelink. This investigation highlighted the following European designated sites:

South Tayside Goose Roosts Special Protection Areas (SPA) (ID: 8577) is located approximately 1.6km north of the scheme extents.

South Tayside Goose Roosts Ramsar (ID: 8456) is located approximately 1.6km north of the scheme extents.

There are no national designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Local or National Nature Reserves, within 200m of the scheme extents.

There are also no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) located within 500m of the works.

As all works will be contained within the carriageway boundary on a like-for-like basis and transient nature, a competent Amey ecologist has scoped out the requirement for a field survey, indicating a low likelihood of significant ecological impact.

Invasive plants

The NBN Atlas has recorded that the below target species and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) have a historic presence within 500m of the proposed works area:

• Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera);
• Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica);
• Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), and;
• Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium).

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has historically recorded that both rosebay willowherb and common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) can be found along the SB carriageway of the A9 along the scheme extents.

Geology and soils

Geology

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites or any Geological SSSIs that have connectivity or are within 200m of the scheme extents as noted by NatureScot’s Sitelink.

According to Britain’s Geology Viewer, the geology along the A9, within the scheme extents, consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

• Scone Sandstone Formation-Sandstone. These sedimentary rocks 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).

Superficial Deposits

• Alluvium-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).
• Till, Devensian-Diamicton. These sedimentary deposits are glacigenic in origin. They are detrital, created by the action of ice and meltwater, they can form a wide range of deposits and geomorphologies associated with glacial and inter-glacial periods during the Quaternary.

Soils

According to Scotland’s Soils Map, the scheme extents consist of the following soil profiles:

• Brown earth component soil deriving from drifts produced mainly from sandstones of Lower Old Red Sandstone age, often water-modified found on undulating lowlands with gentle and strong slopes: non-rocky, and;
• Mineral alluvial soils with peaty alluvial soils component soil deriving from recent riverine and lacustrine alluvial deposits found on flood plains with river terraces and former lake beds.

Land use

The national scale land capability for agriculture has been classed as both ‘2’ and ‘3.2’. The classification, ‘3.2’, dominates the scheme extents with this land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common.

There are no operational landfill sites located within 1km of the proposed works area.

Material assets and waste

Materials

Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) will be used for the resurfacing works. Where practical, all materials will comply with Transport Scotland’s amendment to the Specification for Highway Works, Clause 908TS Warm Mix Asphalt, which sets out performance requirements for WMA mixtures. WMA requires less heat, reducing energy use, making it more environmentally friendly in comparison to hot mix asphalt.

Other material required will consist of the following:

• Road studs;
• Vehicle fuel and oil, and;
• Road marking material.

Materials will be obtained from recycled, secondary, or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions. For example, the binder and base courses used for resurfacing will contain a percentage of recycled material.

Wastes

Wastes are anticipated to be carriageway planings which will primarily be recycled at a licenced facility, thereby reducing the amount sent to landfill and promoting circular economy practices. Other waste materials will include:

• Road studs;
• Vehicle fuel and oil, and;
• Road marking material.

Coring investigations have not identified the presence of coal tar.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will be prepared prior to the works which will detail how resource use and waste arising from the works will be managed throughout the scheme. This is required due to the scheme exceeding £350,000 in value and will help control and reduce the amount of waste produced, resulting in less landfilled waste. 

Noise and vibration

A single residential property, Chapelbank House, along with its adjacent farm, lies within 300m of the site. The property is located approximately 161m north of the proposed scheme extents. There are no other sensitive noise and vibration receptors within 300m of the works.

The primary factor affecting baseline noise and vibration is traffic along the A9 road network combined with agricultural activities in the wider area. Manual count point 80347, located approximately 90m west of the works along the A9 carriageway, shows that in 2024, the AADF for all motor vehicles was 27,755 with 3,127 (11%) of these being HGVs.

Scotland’s Noise Map has recorded that modelled day-time noise levels (L_day) in the areas surrounding the carriageway show levels of around 58-61dB and within the proposed works approximately 73-75dB. Nighttime noise level (L_night) in the areas surrounding the carriageway show levels of around 52-58dB and within the proposed works 68-69dB.

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

Population and human health

Due to the nature of the proposed scheme, a reduced buffer of 300m will be utilised for Population and Human Health impacts and mitigations.

The scheme is located along the A9 SB carriageway, in Perth and Kinross. This section of the A9 links to towns such as Aberuthven and Auchterarder prior to linking to settlements with cities such as Perth. Aberuthven contains community facilities including educational facilities and recreational grounds with a greater abundance and complexity of these facilities found within the city of Perth.

The surrounding area is primarily used for agriculture, with the nearest field situated directly adjacent to the A9 carriageway.

A single residential property, Chapelbank House, along with its adjacent farm, lies within 300m of the site. The property is located approximately 161 m north of the proposed scheme extents. There are no access/egress points located along the A9 within the extents of the scheme. There are no key community assets within 300m of the works.

There are no footways, Public Rights of Way (PRoW), streetlights or bus stops located within the scheme extents of the proposed works area. One layby is located along the A9 adjacent to the works at NGR NO 01420 17806.

The following core paths can be found within 300m of the scheme extents:

• Core Path Cairnie Braes (old A9), Dalreoch Bridge to Cairnie Cottage (ID: METH/162) is located 95m north of the scheme extents;
• Core Path B9141 at Broom Villa via A9 underpass and banks of River Earn to old A9 at Dalreoch Bridge (ID: DNNG/118) is located approximately 121m west of the scheme extents, and;
• Core Path B9141 at Broom Villa via A9 underpass and banks of River Earn to old A9 at Dalreoch Bridge (ID: DNNG/118) is located 124m southwest of the scheme extents.

There are no National Cycle Network Routes or any bridleways located within 300m of the works.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

According to SEPA’s Water Classification Hub, the River Earn (ID: 6800) is located approximately 43m south of the scheme extents at the closest point. This watercourse has an overall good quality as highlighted by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). An unnamed, unclassified tributary of the River Earn is located 334m north of the works.

There are no ponds located within 250m of the works.

Drainage along the scheme extents consists of both gullies and filter stones.

Flood risk

SEPA’s Flood Risk Map indicates that the A9 carriageway along the scheme extents is expected to face a medium to high probability (0.5–10%) of surface water flooding each year. The River Earn also presents a high likelihood of fluvial flooding (10%), with some of the affected areas extending into the scheme extents.

Groundwater

The A9 carriageway within the proposed scheme extents is located within the Scottish Government’s Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon)Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). NVZs are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. Areas such as the Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon) NVZ either result or would likely result in a concentration equal or exceeding 50mg/l of nitrates in either surface or groundwater as a result of agriculture.

Works also fall within the River Earn (ID: 6800) Drinking Water Protected Area (Surface).

The proposed works area is classified by two groundwater bodies. These being the Strathearn Sand and Gravel groundwater (ID: 150811) and the Crieff groundwater (ID: 150688). According to the WFD, both are classified as having overall ‘good’ quality.

Climate

Carbon Goals 

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 57% lower than baseline.
• 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 69% 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, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to 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. 

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the North East Network Management Contract (NE NMC) network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the NE NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.