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) are partially situated within 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 localised to the trunk road VRS installation works.
  • Construction activities are restricted to two locations along a 2.5 km section of the A9 trunk road, covering a total area of 1.3 km.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to nearby receptors or protected species that may be present in the wider area, out with those detailed in the HRA Proforma AA.
  • No INNS were recorded along the verges of the trunk road within the scheme extents during the ecological survey.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.
  • Residual impacts are considered to be beneficial for the travelling public which may use this stretch of carriageway. In addition, VRS installation will improve road safety following the works.

Location of the scheme:

  • The scheme fully lies within the existing A9 trunk road boundary. The A9 spans the River Tay SAC within the scheme extent. Due to the localised, minor nature of the works and mitigation measures, no AESI are predicted on the qualifying features of the SAC, as concluded in the HRA.
  • There are no GCRS or a geologically designated SSSI within 300m of the works.
  • There are no features of cultural heritage importance within 300m of the scheme; however, there are several minor cultural heritage features which overlap the scheme extent.
  • The requirement for a site compound is still to be confirmed; however, will most likely be located within TM on the made ground, if required.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:

  • Containment measures will be in place to prevent debris or pollutants from entering the surrounding environment.
  • It is not anticipated that any wastes will be generated during works and excavated material will be reused on site.
  • There will be permanent visual impacts as a result of the installation of new VRS; however, this will be in keeping with the visual quality of the current road furniture.
  • Works are programmed to be of short duration and undertaken during night-time hours; the works will also move progressively along the scheme.
  • The SEMP will include plans to address environmental incidents.
  • 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.
  • In the event that INNS are found on site, measures to prevent potential INNS spread will be implemented.

No in-combination effects have been identified.