Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme extents cover a rural stretch of the A90 carriageway, south of Drumlithie between Laurencekirk and Stonehaven within Aberdeenshire. Baseline air quality is likely to be influenced primarily by traffic flow along the A90, with secondary sources from surrounding agricultural activities.

Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) in 2024 along the A90, approximately 295 metres (m) west of the scheme extents (site number: 80050) was counted at 10,550 total vehicles with 1,931 (18.3%) Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Aberdeenshire Council have no currently declared Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs), and there are no real-time air quality monitoring stations (Air Quality in Scotland) or any sites on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) located within 1km of the scheme extents.

There are four air quality-sensitive receptors located within 200m, including residential and agricultural properties. The closest receptor is a residential property associated with Candy Farm, located 20m north of the scheme extents at grid reference NO 79413 80077.

Cultural heritage

A desktop study using PastMap has been undertaken, where an asset has been listed more than once, its highest statutory designation has been recorded. This refers to designations including World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Battlefields and Listed Buildings.

No statutory cultural heritage features are located within the scheme footprint; however, one is located within 300m of the scheme:

Historic Environment Records (HERs) and National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) provide local and national level information on Scotland’s historic environment. There are approximately six located within 200m, with one located within the scheme extents:

  • Fiddes HER (NO78SE0090), which almost entirely covers the A90 carriageway within the scheme extents (centred at grid reference NO 7948 8043). This area has been identified as an HER following a desk-based assessment and walkover survey of the area in 2017 prior to instalment of new electricity cabling. No new sites were identified along the cable route or within a 100m buffer zone. 

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

The scheme lies within a rural setting, characterised by grazing and arable agricultural land, woodland and dispersed residential and agricultural properties.

There are no areas of Ancient Woodland or trees designated under a Tree Preservation Order directly lining the A90 carriageway along the scheme extents. No other areas designated for landscape features or quality, such as Garden & Designed Landscapes are located within 500m, or visible to or from the scheme.

The scheme falls within the Coastal Farmed Ridges and Hills - Aberdeenshire Landscape Character Type (LCT 24), defined by extensive broadly rolling farmland with scattered settlement.

Visual

There are approximately three stationary visual receptors associated with the scheme, with varying levels of visual exposure influenced by distance and vegetation. The closest receptor (Candy Farm) lies 20m from the A90 and has a direct, open view towards the proposed works. A second receptor (Fiddes Bridge House) is located approximately 30m from the works along the southbound carriageway, with no visual screening between the works area. The third receptor (Fiddes Bungalow) is set back over 500m from the scheme, however, due to its elevated position within rolling agricultural land, it retains wide views across the road towards the scheme.

Transient receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A90, and Walker, Cyclist and Horse-rider (WCH) users of short paths dispersed along the A90. Two footways are located at the A90 Drumlithie Junction, one along the northbound carriageway adjacent to the scheme extents and another along the southbound carriageway. Neither footway forms part of the Aberdeenshire Council Core Path network, or the National Cycle Network.

Biodiversity

Protected areas

No European Sites are located within 2km or have hydrological connectivity with the scheme. No nationally designated sites, such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are located within 500m of the works (Sitelink).

Field survey

An ecological field survey has been scoped out by a qualified ecologist due to the transient nature of the works, their containment within the carriageway surface, and absence of any protected species wildlife casualties along the scheme extents (Amey North East Environmental Data).

Invasive plants

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has recorded Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), an Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) located within 500m of the scheme extents. This is recorded within adjacent agricultural land, approximately 11m from the scheme extents. No injurious weeds or Transport Scotland target species have been identified along the roadside verges of the scheme extents.

The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas has not identified any INNS species within 500m of the scheme extents.

Geology and soils

Geology

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), or geological SSSIs located within 300m (Sitelink).

The underlying bedrock comprises sedimentary formations of the Cromlix Mudstone Formation, dating to the Devonian period (407.6-393.3 million years ago (Mya), and the Arbuthnott Garvock Group formed earlier in the Devonian period (419.2 Mya to 407.6 Mya) (British Geological Survey Geology Viewer).

Superficial deposits consist of diamicton associated with the Mill of Forest Till Formation deposited during the Quaternary period (116,000 to 11,800 thousand years ago).

The scheme is located within a moderately productive aquifer with locally flaggy sandstones, with siltstones, mudstones, conglomerates and lavas which yield moderate amounts of groundwater (GeoIndex British Geological Survey).

Soils

The local soil type within scheme extents is recorded as brown earths (Scotland’s Soils).

Contamination and Land use

The scheme lies within a rural area, with land use predominantly agricultural. The scheme is not located within a coal mining area as defined by the Coal Authority and Mining Remediation Authority. The closest record of a ceased mine is approximately 160m north (approximate grid reference NO 79959 80788) (GeoIndex British Geological Survey).

All works are contained to the engineered layers of the existing carriageway, resulting in limited potential for disturbance to geology and soils. As such, geology and soils has been scoped out of requiring further assessment in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and soils.

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. The use of WMA supports reduced energy consumption and lower carbon emissions during production while still meeting TS2010 performance requirements for durability and long‑term carriageway performance. Further detail is provided in the Climate section.

Other materials required will include road marking materials, road studs, vehicle fuel and oil.

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.

Coring investigations have not identified the presence of coal tar within treatment depths.

A Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will be prepared prior to the works due to the scheme exceeding £350,000 in value.

Noise and vibration

The scheme is located within a rural area, where baseline noise levels are primarily influenced by traffic on the A90, with secondary sources from agricultural activities. For AADF details, please refer to the Air Quality section above.

Modelled day-evening-night (Lden) noise levels along the scheme range between >75 to 80dB, and night noise levels (Lnight) for the period 23:00-07:00 range from >65B to 70dB. At the closest receptor (Candy Farm) located 20m from the scheme extents (NO 79413 80077), Lnight is recorded between >60-65dB (Scotland’s Noise Map).

There are seven noise-sensitive receptors (NSRs) located within 300m, including residential and agricultural properties

The works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan 2024-2028 (Road Maps) (TNAP).

Population and human health

The scheme lies within a rural area of Aberdeenshire, between Laurencekirk and Stonehaven, with several properties and small businesses located in proximity to the works:

  • Seven residential properties are located within 300m, the closest lies 20m north at grid reference NO 79413 80077.
  • Candy Farm is located 20m from the works.
  • A fuel station is located along the southbound carriageway, 15m from the scheme extents.

No community facilities (educational, medical, religious or recreational) are located within 300m.

There are no designated Aberdeenshire Council Core Paths along the scheme extents, however, several short informal paths are present along the A90 within the scheme extents. Two footways are located at the A90 Drumlithie Junction, one along each carriageway, and primarily facilitate access to two bus stops on the A90, and do not form part of a wider WCH network.

Access along the scheme extents includes two junctions, one layby, and one gated access road. These provide connections to local roads, agricultural land, residential properties and community facilities within Drumlithie. 

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

Forthie Water (ID: 23263) (Drumlithie Burn) a classified surface water designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) flows beneath the A90 within the scheme extents. It exhibits a ‘Moderate’ overall status under SEPA’s 2024 data Water Classification Hub data. No other classified or unclassified watercourses are located within 500m.

Road drainage along the scheme extents comprises filter drains and top entry gullies.

The scheme is not located within a surface water Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA).

Groundwater

The scheme lies within the Drumlithie groundwater body (ID: 150585) which is classified as having a ‘Good’ overall condition under the WFD in 2024 (Water Classification Hub).

The scheme lies within the Drumlithie groundwater Drinking Water Protected Area (ID: 150585) and within the Strathmore, Fife and Angus Scottish Government Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

The scheme is located within a moderately productive aquifer with locally flaggy sandstones, with siltstones, mudstones, conglomerates and lavas which yield moderate amounts of groundwater (GeoIndex British Geological Survey).

Flood risk

The scheme is not located within areas currently identified at risk of fluvial or pluvial flooding (SEPA Flood Maps), or within a Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) (2028-2034) at a high risk of future flooding.

Climate

Carbon Goals

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 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.

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the 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.

Monitoring, Management and Opportunities

To support our journey towards carbon neutral and zero waste we include potential opportunities for enhancement utilising circular economy principals within assessment of material assets.

Amey (working on behalf of Transport Scotland) undertake carbon monitoring. Emissions from our activities are recorded using Transport Scotland’s Carbon Management System.

Further information identifying how Amey will obtain the above Carbon Goals can be viewed within the Carbon Management and Sustainability Plan Roadmap to net-zero: STRNMC – North East.