Description of local environment

Air quality

For baseline air quality information regarding residential, community and commercial receptors in the area, refer to ‘Population and Human Health’ section below. 

There are no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA); Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS); and no records on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) within 10km of the scheme extent.

Baseline air quality is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the A9; with secondary sources likely derived by the nearby land management activities.

Cultural heritage

A search of the PastMap mapping tool identified the following Listed Buildings within 300m of the scheme: 

  • Dalwhinnie, Wade Bridge Over River Truim (Reference: LB7665) is a Category B Listed Building is located approximately 85m west of the scheme extent.

Of lesser Cultural Heritage value, a number of Historic Environment Records (HERs) and National Records of the Historic Environment (NRHE) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of these is River Truim NRHE (ID:117360) Period unassigned, located approximately 75m west of the centre of the scheme extent.

There are no Garden and Design Landscapes, Conservation Areas, Battlefields, World Heritage Sites, Historic Marine Protected Areas, and Protected Military Remains within 300m of the scheme extent.

As the works are restricted to the engineered ground of the A9 trunk road boundary and there are no significant cultural heritage features within proximity to the proposed works, there is negligible potential for cultural heritage impacts as a result of the proposed works and this receptor is not considered further in this RoD.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme extents are located within Cairngorms National Park (CNP) (Site ID: 8623). The CNP is designated for the following General Special Qualities:

  • Magnificent mountains towering over moorland, forest and strath.
  • Vastness of space, scale and height.
  • Strong juxtaposition of contrasting landscapes.
  • A landscape of layers, from inhabited strath to remote, uninhabited upland.
  • ‘The harmony of complicated curves’.
  • Landscapes both cultural and natural.

There are no National Scenic Areas, or sites designated for its landscape and visual character within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The scheme is located within the ‘Upland Glen - Cairngorms’ Landscape Character Type (LCT 126). Key characteristics are as follows:

  • Strong evidence of glacial processes, including steepened sides and level floors, shattered rock faces on higher slopes, hummocks of resistant rock on some glen floors and terraces of glacial deposits at the edges of glen floors. 
  • Often form arrival points into the Cairngorms National Park.
  • Size varies from large e open passes to narrower, more secluded glens.
  • Enclosed predominantly by steep slopes.
  • Frequently differing land-use on one side of the glen to the other - linked to aspect.
  • Improved, grazed fields on glen floors and floodplains.
  • Mostly settled, some only sparsely, but often extensive evidence of past settlement, including prehistoric hut circles and associated field systems, pre-improvement townships, and seasonal shielings.
  • Some landmark historic buildings.
  • Access varies from narrow roads, estate and forestry tracks to main routes, but most have some form of road running through them.
  • Varied experience when passing through glens from open and expansive to sheltered and secluded.
  • Views to adjacent uplands; from which parts of the glens are visible and provide contrast.

Land use (HLA map) within 300m of the scheme extent is classified as:

  • Plantation
  • Rough grazing
  • Reservoir

The A9 Trunk Road, within the North West Network Management Contract (NMC), connects Perth with Thurso. It commences immediately north of Inveralmond Roundabout in Perth leading generally northwards for a distance of 357 kilometres to its junction with an unclassified road leading to Holborn Head lighthouse at Scrabster. The A9 is a mixture of single carriageway, ‘2+1’ carriageway and stretches of two-lane dual carriageway.

Biodiversity

There is a total of 3 European sites designated for biodiversity features within 2km which have ecological connectivity to the scheme:

  • The Drumochter Hills Special Protection Area (SPA) (NatureScot Site Code: 8491) is located approximately 270m east of the scheme extent.
  • The River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code: 8365) is located approximately 20m west of the scheme extent.
  • The Drumochter Hills SAC (Site Code: 8243) is located approximately 270m east of the scheme extent.

Due to the ecological connectivity between the scheme and the River Spey SAC, and the Drumochter Hills SAC and SPA a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken. Refer to the relevant assessment section below for details.

The Drumochter Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (Site Code: 541) is located approximately 30m east of the scheme extent and overlaps with both the Drumochter Hills SAC and SPA.

There are no other locally or nationally designated sites for biodiversity features (e.g. Local or National Nature Reserves) within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas holds multiple records of bird species within 2km of the schemes, including those listed as qualifying features of the nearby designated European sites (the search criteria included only records in the last 10 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 following invasive and injurious weeds (as listed in the Network Management Contract (NMC)) were identified in proximity to the scheme extent, using the same search criteria:

  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)
  • Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare)

The Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) holds no records of any invasive or injurious weeds (as listed in the NMC) along the A9 within 300m of the scheme.

The habitats surrounding the scheme extent on the A9 are comprised of rough grassland, heathland, coniferous woodland / upland birchwood plantation and riparian habitat associated with the River Truim. These habitats have the potential to support a range of species out with features within the designated sites. Nesting birds may use plantation woodlands and Peatlands between March and August inclusive.

There are no ancient woodlands listed on the Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI) within 300m of the scheme extent.

There are no individual trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) by the HighlandHigland Council, within 300m of the scheme extent.

The BEAR Scotland NW Environment Team conducted an Ecological Constraints Survey (ECS) in August 2026 to inform environmental assessment of the resurfacing works. The survey was undertaken in accordance with relevant species-specific best practice guidance and covered the scheme and a maximum survey buffer of 300m.

Geology and soils

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS) within 300m of the scheme (SiteLink).

The Drumochter Hills SSSI (NatureScot Site Code: 541) is located approximately 30m east of the scheme extent. The SSSI is designated for the following geological feature:

  • Fluvial Geomorphology of Scotland

Soil composition around the area of the scheme extent is rated as class 2 by the Carbon & Peatland Map 2016, indicating nationally important carbon-rich soils, deep peat and priority peatland habitat. The soils surrounding the scheme extent are classified as peaty gleyed podzols and peaty rankers with lithosols (Scotland’s soils).

Bedrock Geology (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists primarily of Gaick Psammite Formation-Psammite, with a small area of Scottish Highland Ordovician Minor Intrusion Suite-Pegmatite located in the centre of the scheme extent. Superficial Deposits (BGS Geology Viewer) within the scheme consists of Till, Devensian-Diamicton.

Material assets and waste

The resurfacing works will use the following materials:

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

The scheme is 481m long and consists of general maintenance of carriageway resurfacing to replace the worn surface. Wastes are anticipated to be primarily planings from the carriageway surface course.

Coal tar has not been identified on site and there is no requirement for a site compound. Storage of plant and equipment will be within TM on the A9 carriageway.

The scheme is currently valued at £200,000. This is below the threshold of £350,000 needed to trigger a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP). As such, it is not required.

Noise and vibration

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

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

Modelled noise data for the A9 at the scheme extent shows that the day, evening and at night (Lden) fall between 60-70dB (Scotland's Noise Map).

Due to the rural location of the scheme, baseline noise levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic travelling along the A9, with secondary sources derived from land management activities.

Population and human health

There are no residential or commercial properties within 300m of the scheme extent.

National Cycle Network Route 7 (National Cycle Routes) runs parallel to the scheme extent, approximately 45m west at its nearest point.

Core Path UBS28 utilises a section of National Cycle Network Route 7 and lies parallel to the A9 approximately 45m west of the extent.

There are no walking routes designated by WalkHighlands within the scheme extent.

A junction to the A889 lies within the scheme extents which connects Dalwhinnie and other settlements with the A9 northbound carriageway. There are two bus stops, located either side of the A9 in proximity to the A9 junction with the A889. One layby lies adjacent to the A9 southbound carriageway 200m south of the scheme.

According to Scottish Road Works Commissioner, there are no other roadworks within 300m of the scheme extent.

In 2025, the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) count was calculated (via automatic counter) on the A9 trunk road at the closest site to the scheme extent approximately 4.5km south (Count point: 50748) and accounted for 10,815 motor vehicles, with 13% of these heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) (Transport Scotland Traffic Count Data).

Road drainage and the water environment

The scheme is underpinned by the Strathnairn, Speyside and Cairngorms groundwater body (ID: 150709), in the Scotland river basin district. It is 3,726 square kilometres in area. It was given an overall status of ‘Good’ in 2024 by the SEPA under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

The River Truim (from source to Allt Cuaich confluence) is a river (ID: 23638), in the River Spey catchment of the Scotland river basin district and lies 20m east of the scheme at its nearest point. The main stem is approximately 15.6 kilometres in length. The water body has been designated as a heavily modified water body on account of physical alterations that cannot be addressed without a significant impact on water storage for hydroelectricity generation. The river was given an overall status of ‘Moderate Ecological Potential’ in 2024 by SEPA under the WFD.

The SEPA Flood Map records areas on the A9 within the scheme extents as having a medium to high likelihood of river and surface water and small watercourse flooding (e.g., 0.5% to 10% likelihood 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).