Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located within a largely rural area of Angus, within Finavon. The A90 is a major north-to-south carriageway within eastern Scotland, running from Edinburgh to Fraserburgh. 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 just north of the Bridge (site number: 80383) was counted at 21,160 total vehicles, with 15.6% (3,033) Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Angus Council has not declared any 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. The closest air quality monitoring station is located in Forfar, approximately 8km from the scheme extents. Pollution levels in the general vicinity of the works are anticipated to be lower than that at the monitoring station due to its rural location.

No air quality receptors are located within 200m of the scheme.

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 designated assets are located within the scheme extents however; four Category B Listed Buildings are located within 300m:

  • Tannadyce House Lodge (LB17727) located 220m northwest.
  • Tannadyce House Lodge Gates (LB17728) located 220m northwest.
  • Finavon Castle - Doocot (LB17724) located 300m southwest.
  • Finavon, Former Blacksmith's Workshop and Dwelling (LB44942) located 290m northeast.

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

  • Finavon HER (Reference: NO45NE0036) located northwest of the Bridge, within the field where the site compound and access track will be located. This record is recorded as cropmarks - Indeterminate marks recorded during aerial reconnaissance in 1981.
  • Finavon Bridge is a HER (Reference: NO45NE0114) and NRHE (Reference: 173469). The current road bridge replaced the previous Finavon Bridge, carrying the carriageway over the River South Esk.

Landscape and visual effects

Landscape

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

The scheme falls within the Broad Valley Lowlands - Tayside Scottish Landscape Character Type (LCT) (LCT 384), defined by extensive agricultural land, broad straths, and lower local hills. The general site topography beneath the Bridge is a slight slope towards the River South Esk, with semi-mature and mature riparian vegetation along the River South Esk.

No areas designated for landscape quality such as National Scenic Areas, National Parks, National Nature Reserves, Conservation Areas, Garden and Designed Landscapes, or locally-designated areas such as Local Nature Reserves and Country Parks are located within 500m of the scheme, or within the zone of visual influence (Sitelink and Historic Scotland Designations).

There are no areas of Ancient Woodland or trees designated under a Tree Preservation Order directly lining the A90 carriageway, or riverbanks along the scheme extents.

Visual

No stationary visual receptors of the scheme are identified, owing to the general landscape arrangement with natural screening, and distance from surrounding properties.

Transient receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A90, and Walker, Cyclist and Horse-rider (WCH) users of the following routes:

  • A footway travelling along the A90 carriageway, over the Bridge and above the scheme extents.
  • An underpass is located beneath the Bridge, adjacent to the River South Esk and within the scheme boundary.
  • A footway located along the southbound carriageway, adjacent to the scheme extents.

Biodiversity

The structure spans the River South Esk, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) (NatureScot Site Code: 8364).

There are no locally or nationally designated biodiversity sites located within 300m of the scheme (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), or National Nature Reserves) (Sitelink).

Refer to Landscape and Visual Effects section for details on ancient woodland and TPOs.

A series of ecological surveys and assessment have been undertaken with this information being utilised to inform ecological sensitivities and requirements relevant to the works.

A Preliminary Ecological Walkover (PEW) was completed by Amey Ecologists in October 2024.

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) and Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), Invasive Non-Native Species have been recorded within the general working area, and upstream of the structure. An INNS method statement has been undertaken, detailing INNS management and biosecurity protocols. 

Consultation has been undertaken with NatureScot and the Esk District Salmon Fishery Board.

As the works lie within the River South Esk SAC, a Stage 2 Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken to assess potential impacts on qualifying interests of the European site.

Geology and soils

Geology

Bedrock geology comprises sedimentary sandstone of the Scone Sandstone Formation. Superficial deposits comprise sedimentary deposits of alluvium (clay, silt, sand and gravel) (British Geological Survey Geology Viewer).

No Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) or SSSIs designated for geological features are located within 200m of scheme extents (Sitelink).

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

Soils

Underlying soils comprise alluvial soils (National Soil Map of Scotland). The site compound is located within an agricultural field, with a Land Capability for Agriculture of 3.1, inferring land is capable of producing consistently high yields of a narrow range of crops and/or moderate yields of a wider range.

Contamination

Desk-based investigations undertaken by Amey’s Geotechnical Team have indicated no significant historical development within the site beyond the construction of the bridge and associated embankments, which are anticipated to be constructed of made ground.

The site is designated as a British Drilling Association (BDA) ‘Green’ Site for the purpose of the contract due to the lack of historical land uses in and directly surrounding the Site.

The scheme is not located within a coal mining area as defined by the Coal Authority and Mining Remediation Authority.

Material assets and waste

Materials

Materials required are as follows:

  • Concrete (inside the mattresses) - C28/35.
  • Reinforced concrete for piles, pile cap and retaining wall - C32/40.
  • Steel grade S500 for reinforcement.
  • Fabric formwork for the concrete mattress: The fabric used in the manufacture of fabric formwork units shall be a specially woven polyamide/polypropylene fabric that is designed to avoid entrapped water voids and allow for bleeding during the concrete curing.
  • 4-tonne and 8-tonne rock nets.

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 rock nets and mattresses that previously were installed on site will be reused, as practically as possible, as part of the permanent works. However, where not feasible, 2-tonne rock nets and mattresses will be required.

Wastes

Wastes are anticipated to be:

  • Excavated riverbed material;
  • Rock bags (removed from the temporary works, which are not being reused on site); and,

Excavated riverbed material will be reused on site. This as-dug material will be placed as a layer (300mm) over the concrete scour protection measures.

Noise and vibration

The scheme is located within a largely rural area of Angus, within Finavon. The A90 is a major north-to-south carriageway within eastern Scotland, running from Edinburgh to Fraserburgh. Baseline noise levels are likely to be influenced primarily by traffic flow along the A90, with secondary sources from surrounding 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 >65 to 70dB, and night noise levels (Lnight) for the period 23:00-07:00 range from >55 to 60dB (Scotland’s Noise Map).

There are approximately 16 noise sensitive receptors (NSRs) within 300m of the scheme extents, with the closest approximately 205m south at NO 49231 57047. NSRs include residential properties and business and community facilities including a cafe and hotel, the Red Lion Inn Finavon. At the nearest receptor, Lden is identified at >55 to 60dB.

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 Angus, within Finavon, with several residential, community and business properties located within proximity to the works:

  • 15 residential properties are located within 300m, the closest lies approximately 205m south at NO 49231 57047.
  • The Red Lion Inn and café is located approximately 210m northwest of the Bridge.

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

There are no Angus Council Core Paths located along the scheme extents, however, the following non-designated Walker, Cyclist, Horse-rider (WCH) routes are:

  • A footway travelling along the A90 carriageway, over the Bridge and above the scheme extents.
  • An underpass is located beneath the Bridge, adjacent to the River South Esk and within the scheme boundary.
  • A footway located along the southbound carriageway, adjacent to the scheme extents.

No access points are directly along the bridge extents, however, local road access off the A90 is within 300m of the Bridge, including the B957 local road, providing access to residential and agricultural land. Site access, including where the site compound is established is located within agricultural land to the northwest of the Bridge. Engagement with affected landowners regarding land access and compound arrangements is ongoing. Amey have made enquiries; however, the Contractor is responsible for securing all necessary access permissions.

Two bus stops are located within 300m, approximately 210m north along the A90 north and southbound carriageways. The A90 carriageway above the scheme extents is not street-lit.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

The River South Esk (ID: 5799) a Water Framework Directive (WFD)-classified watercourse flows beneath the Bridge and will be directly affected by in-channel working. It exhibits a ‘Moderate’ overall status under SEPA’s 2024 data (SEPA Water Classification Hub. This watercourse forms part of the River South Esk SAC, with further details on this European site and regulatory requirements provided in the Biodiversity section.

Lenmo Burn (ID: 5806), also within the River South Esk catchment, is located approximately 430m south of the scheme extents and is classified with a ‘Moderate’ overall status under the WFD. No other classified or unclassified watercourses lie within 500m of the scheme extents.

Drainage from the A90 carriageway is conveyed through top-entry gullies.

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

Groundwater

The scheme lies within the South Esk Valley and Montrose Coastal groundwater body (ID: 150806), with a ‘Good’ overall condition under the SEPA’s 2024 classification (SEPA Water Classification Hub).

The scheme is not located within a groundwater DWPA, however, falls within the Strathmore, Fife and Angus Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ), designated by the Scottish Government.

Underlying geology compromises a moderately productive aquifer, characterised by locally flaggy sandstones, with siltstones, mudstones, conglomerates and lavas capable of yielding moderate amounts of groundwater (GeoIndex British Geological Survey).

Flood risk

The River South Esk presents a ‘High’ likelihood of fluvial flooding, with SEPA’s Flood Map indicating an annual probability of approximately 10% (1 in 10-year event). The surrounding floodplain and adjacent agricultural land are also identified as having a ‘Medium’ to ‘High’ likelihood of fluvial flooding, with an estimated probability of between 0.5% (1 in 200-year event) and 10% (1 in 10-year event).

The scheme does not fall within a currently designated Potentially Vulnerable Area (PVA) for the 2022-2028 cycle. However, it is located within the 2028-2034 PVA 451, Finavon, reflecting the recognised flood risk within this risk of the River South Esk.

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.