Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required

This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) spans the River Almond which forms a part of the River Tay SAC which is a sensitive area within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017). Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.

The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:

Characteristics of the scheme:

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of VRS and bridge parapets, with all works restricted to the A9 trunk road boundary.
  • Construction activities are restricted to an area of 0.1 ha along a 120m stretch of the A9.
  • The works will be temporary, localised, and completed during day-time hours over 4 weeks.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • By replacing the bridge parapets and VRS the road safety for travelling public at this section of the A9 will be improved.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme is confined to the A9 trunk road boundary with no requirement to ender land out with the trunk road.
  • The A9 within the scheme extents spans the River Almond which forms a part of the River Tay SAC. The HRA concluded that proposed works will not result in AESI on the qualifying features of the SAC.
  • The scheme is located within Perth Air Quality Management Area. Mitigation measures for pollution prevention will be in place.
  • One residential property lies 140m west of the scheme, however this is suitably screened by woodland.
  • There are no dedicated NMUs facilities within the footprint of the scheme.
  • The Bertha Roman Fort Scheduled Monument lies 50m northeast of the northern scheme extent and the old Almond Bridge Listed Building (Category B) lies 120m west of the scheme. There will be no impacts on these features as no excavation or significant vibration is expected and the features lie outwith the scheme.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:

  • Any impacts on air quality or noise levels are minor, short-term and temporary during the construction period. With mitigation measures in place, the potential impacts on local receptors and the air quality management area are minor and not significant.
  • Any short-term impacts on pedestrians, cyclists or equestrians are considered negligible.
  • The works will not result in loss of habitat except minor vegetation clearance, in an area which is subject to a routine maintenance directly adjacent to the A9 carriageway.
  • Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste.
  • The SEMP will include plans to address environmental incidents.
  • No impacts on the environment are expected during the operational phase as a result of works. The works are expected to result in positive impacts on road users during the operational phase.
  • As the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the structural components, there is no change to the vulnerability of the road to the risk or severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.

Mitigation measures detailed above (and in the SEMP) will be put in place with the objective to prevent and, if required, subsequently control any potential impacts on sensitive receptors.