Description of local environment

Air Quality

The scheme is located along the A92 carriageway between Muirhead and Freuchie in Fife (See Figure 1: Scheme Location Map). Local air quality is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the A92; however, secondary sources may include agricultural activities from the surrounding arable land and community activities within Freuchie. Manual count point 10801, located approximately 760m north of the works along the A92, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 9,489 with 674 (7%) of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

There are approximately 60 residential properties, including farming residences, located within 200m of the scheme extents, the closest being Ashlea and Millwaters situated adjacent to the A92 carriageway. There are no non-residential sensitive air quality receptors apart from local Farms, including Forthar Mill Farm located 75m east.

Each Local Authority in the UK is responsible for reviewing and assessing air quality in their respective areas to ensure that the National air quality objectives are met. Where areas are failing to meet the National objectives, Local Authorities are required to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). Fife Council has not declared any AQMAs.

There are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations situated within 200m of the scheme extents. Furthermore, there are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) within 1km of the proposed area of works.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) UK Ambient Air Quality Map presents predicted background air pollutant concentrations across the UK. According to the 2024 dataset, background annual mean Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) concentrations within the proposed works area are below 3.2 µg/m³. This value is within National air quality pollution limits (40 µg/m³).

Cultural Heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap online mapping tool. The study area covered a 300m radius for designated cultural heritage assets and a 200m radius for non-designated cultural heritage assets. Where an asset has been listed more than once, its highest statutory designation has been recorded.

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

• Freuchie Mill Category C Listed Building (ID: LB8820) which is a large 4-storey cornmill with 5-storey kiln having pyramidal roof located approximately 300m north-east at NGR NO 28988 06608.

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 seven located within 200m, with the closest being Forthar Mill Farm Bridge NRHE (ID: 29825) located approximately 120m east at NGR NO 2863 0582.

Landscape and Visual Effects

Landscape

The scheme extents are located within a rural area between Freuchie and Muirhead in Fife. The immediate scheme area is bordered by hedgerows and shrub vegetation along the carriageway verge. Tree cover is limited along the A92, with only a small pocket of woodland located adjacent to the northbound carriageway near the centre of the scheme. The wider landscape to both the east and west is characterised by open agricultural fields. The nearest built‑up settlement is the town of Freuchie, situated approximately 70m to the north at its closest point. There are no historical or cultural landscape features within the scheme extents.

There are no landscape designations, including National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or Gardens and Designed Landscapes, located within 500m of within sight of the proposed works. There are also no Ancient Woodlands Inventories (AWI) within 500m of the scheme extents provided.

Approximately 15 Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) can be found within 500m, the closest being TPO E0107 located approximately 457m west of the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map, the LCT within the scheme extents can be classed as ‘Lowland Hills and Valleys’ characterised by a series of low hills and valleys predominantly of boulder clay with outcrops of bedrock, the valleys closely associated with the main river systems and a number of burns draining to the coast. They form an expansive area including much of lowland Fife, between the volcanic uplands and Foothills and the coastal systems and comprising separate areas.

Visual

A footway runs alongside the A92 NB carriageway within the extents of the proposed works area. Users of this path will have views of the works. This footpath runs to and from Freuchie and connects footways linking to other towns such as Muirhead to the east.

Transient visual receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A92.

Due to the lack of vegetation bordering the scheme extents and the flat topographic nature of the surrounding landscape and within the scheme extents, multiple residential properties will have sight of the construction activities. Properties located adjacent to the works and those along Fortharfield are expected to experience the greatest visual impact.

Biodiversity

Protected Areas

A desktop study using NatureScot’s online research tool, Sitelink, has not identified any European designated sites that have connectivity or lie within 2km of the scheme extents. This resource has not identified the presence of national designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Local Nature Reserves or National Nature Reserves) within 200m of the scheme extents.

Invasive Plants

The NBN Atlas and Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has not identified any Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) or target species along the carriageway verge within the extents of the scheme. 

Geology and Soils

Geology

Bedrock geology underlying the proposed scheme extents consists of Ballagan Formation-Claystone, siltstone and ferruginous dolostone. These sedimentary rocks are lacustrine or shallow-marine in origin. They are detrital, generally fine-grained (but can include layers of coarser material) and form beds of carbonate-rich deposits sometimes including precipitated beds of evaporites.

Superficial deposits within the works and surrounding area has been identified as being Till, Devensian-Diamicton which are glacigenic in origin and glaciofluvial sheet deposits-Gravel, sand and silt. These sedimentary deposits are glaciofluvial in origin. 

There are no Local Geodiversity Sites, Geological SSSIs or any Geological Conservation Review Sites within 200m of the scheme extents or any that have connectivity to the proposed works area as highlighted by NatureScot’s Sitelink online research tool. 

Soils

According to Scotland’s Soils Map, the component soils within the scheme extents can be identified as brown earth derived from drifts mainly from Upper Old Red Sandstone. These soils can be found on undulating lowlands with gentle and strong non-rocky slopes.

Land Use and Contamination

The national scale land capability for agriculture within the works area can be classed as ‘2’. This land is capable of producing a wide range of crops.

Coring investigation have identified the presence of coal tar.

There are no landfill sites located within 1km of the scheme extents.

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. WMA requires less heat, reducing energy use, making it more environmentally friendly in comparison to hot mix asphalt.

Other material required will consist of the following:

• Road studs;
• Vehicle fuel and oil, and;
• Road marking material.

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 identified the presence of coal tar. All special waste will be transported by a suitable licenced contractor and be accompanied by a correctly completed special waste consignment note (SWCN) providing information about the waste, the producer and the person the waste is being handed to; the SWCN will be kept for three years, the Site Responsible Manager is responsible for ensuring these are retained onsite.

The Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) 2018 classes waste asphalt (uncontaminated) as a Low-Risk Waste Activity (LRWA) under ‘LRWA 3 - Treating asphalt road planings in a milling machine’. This means that uncontaminated road planings arising from the works do not require authorisation and will be fully recycled in accordance with SEPA’s guidance on asphalt road planings.

Furthermore, the recycling of Asphalt Waste Containing Coal Tar (AWCCT) will be undertaken in line with SEPA’s position statement on AWCCT (document ref WAS-PS-06). This includes ex-situ recycling which will always be considered as an option, particularly when there is AWCCT present.

The proposed scheme does not require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP).

Noise and Vibration

The scheme is located within a rural area where local noise and vibration levels are likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the A92; however, secondary resources may include agricultural activities from the surrounding arable land and community activities within Freuchie. For AADF details, please refer to the Air Quality section above.

There are approximately 100 residential properties, including farming residences, located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being Ashlea residence and Millwaters residence situated adjacent to the A92 carriageway. The closest Farm is Forthar Mill Farm located 75m east The only other non-residential sensitive noise and vibration receptor is Freuchie Bowling Club located approximately 254m north-west of the works area.

There are two residential properties, both located adjacent to the works area, that may be impacted by increased vibration levels.

According to Scotland’s Noise Map, modelled day-time noise levels (L_day) at the nearest receptors have been recorded to range between 54-66dB, whereas within the scheme extents, the noise level is approximately 71dB. Noise levels during nighttime hours (L_ngt) within the surrounding area ranges from 55-60dB whereas within the scheme extents noise has been recorded to be 65dB.

The works do not fall within any city noise agglomerations (e.g. Glasgow, Falkirk, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh). An agglomeration refers to an urbanised area where the population more than 100,000 people and a population density equal to or greater than 500 people per km². These areas are shown on a map or plan prepared and published by the Scottish Ministers displaying noise management areas and quiet areas.

One Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) has been identified within Fife by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2024-2028).

Population and Human Health

Due to the short-term, transient nature of the proposed scheme, a reduced buffer of 300m has be applied when assessing Population and Human Health impacts and mitigation requirements.

Community Land and Assets

The scheme extents are located within a rural area in Fife along the A92 carriageway. This section of the A92 carriageway provides connectivity between smaller settlements, including Freuchie and Muirhead, before linking these communities to larger urban centres such as Glenrothes and the city of Stirling. These smaller towns - particularly Freuchie - are predominantly characterised by residential areas and community facilities, including schools, places of worship, and recreational spaces. A wider range and greater concentration of such facilities are present within Glenrothes and Stirling.

There is one bus stop (ID: 34345828) located within the extents of the scheme along the NB carriageway. This bus runs routes multiple towns and cities such as St Andrews, Dundee City Centre and Cupar.

No laybys are located within the scheme extents.

Agriculture, Private Property and Housing

There are approximately 100 residential properties, including farming residences, located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being Ashlea residence and Millwaters residence situated adjacent to the A92 carriageway. There are multiple access/egress points to residential properties within the scheme extents, some of which are the sole entrance/exits to properties. These access points are located at NGRs NO 28658 06312, NO 28648 06249 and NO 28528 05866.

The closest farm is Forthar Mill Farm located 75m east.

There are also multiple access points to agricultural fields within the extents of the proposed works area.

Development Land and Businesses

Multiple businesses are located within 300m of the scheme extents with the only other key community asset being Freuchie Bowling Club located approximately 254m north-west of the works area.

Walkers, Cyclists and Horse-Riders (WCH)

One footway runs alongside the A92 NB carriageway within the extents of the proposed works area. Users of this path will have views of the works. This footpath runs to and from Freuchie and connects footways linking to other towns such as Muirhead to the east and forms part of Freuchie to Kirkforthar Feus Core Path (ID: R198). The only other core path within 300m is Freuchie Mill Core Path (ID: R199) located 164m north of the works.

The only National Cycle Network Route (NCNR) is NCNR 1 located approximately 164m north along the same route as the Freuchie Mill Core Path. This route is part of the long-distance Coasts and Castles route spanning the United Kingdom and the North Sea Cycle Route connecting the Forth Road Bridge at North Queensferry to Dundee, St Andrews, Arbroath and Aberdeen.

There are no bridleways located within 300m of the scheme extents.

Road Drainage and the Water Environment

Surface Water

There are no classified watercourses located within 500m of the scheme extents according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Multiple smaller, unclassified watercourses are situated within 500m including Freuchie Brun which flows parallel to the works area approximately 70m east at the closest point.

Works are not located within a Scottish Drinking Water Protected Area (Surface).

Drainage along the A92 carriageway within the scheme extents consist of open-top gullies.

Flood Risk

According to SEPA’s Flood Risk Map, there are localised areas along the scheme extents that are predicted to experience a ‘Low’ to ‘Medium’ (0.1%-0.5% probability per annum) likelihood of surface water flooding.

Groundwater

The WFD has recorded that the groundwater within the scheme extents consists of Falkland groundwater (ID: 150606) which has been recorded to have an overall ‘Good’ quality in 2024.

Works fall within the Scottish Government’s Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon) Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). NVZs area areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. Areas such as the Strathmore and Fife (including Finavon) NVZ either result or would likely result in a concentration equal or exceeding 50mg/l of nitrates in either surface or groundwater as a result of agriculture.

Climate

Carbon Coals

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.