Description of local environment

Air quality

Baseline air quality levels are likely to be influenced by traffic volumes and associated emissions from the A95 carriageway and surrounding agricultural activities. The Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) in 2024 for the A95 carriageway, located approximately 5km southwest of the scheme (estimated count point ID: 10866), accounted for 3,160 vehicles, with 402 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

There are two properties within 200m of the works, with the closest located approximately 88m north of the works. There are no non-residential air quality sensitive receptors within 200m of the scheme.

Highland Council has not declared any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). No real-time air quality monitoring stations are present within 200m of the scheme extents.

The Scottish Pollution Release Inventory (SPRI) has not identified any polluting facilities within 1km of the scheme extents.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using PastMap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets and an area of 200m was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets.

Designated cultural heritage assets within 300m:

  • Battle of Cromdale, Battlefields, 11m south

Non-designated cultural heritage assets within 200m:

  • Battle Site, Battle of Cromdale, Historic Environment Record (HER), 11m south
  • Pollowick, National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE), 86m north

Landscape and visual effects

The area surrounding the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents consists of agricultural land with scattered residential properties and the River Spey to the east, and dense woodland to the west. The mature trees and scrub provide a slight amount of screening from the A95 carriageway to the surrounding residential properties.

The scheme is located within the Cairngorms National Park (ID: 183408) (Scotland’s Environment Map).

No National Scenic Areas (NSAs) or Garden Designed Landscapes (GDLs) have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents (PastMap, Sitelink).

Highland Council Core Paths have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents:

  • CP (ID: LBS116a) is present within and adjacent to the scheme extents, crossing over the A95 carriageway; and
  • CP (ID: LBS1i) is located approx. 255m north of the scheme, along the west bank of the River Spey.

Scotland’s Landscape Character Type Map lists the landscape character type present within the scheme extents to be ‘Undulating Wooded Farmland – Cairngorms’ and can be categorised as the following:

  • Undulating terrain of ridges, uneven terraces, knolls, gullies, gorges and hummocks enclosed by low ridges of hills.
  • Generally well-wooded, with conifer forest on ridges and upper slopes, fragmenting into conifer shelter woods at lower levels.
  • Individual and loose clumps of broadleaved trees and woodland between farms.
  • Large forest trees, policy woodland and parkland related to Castle Grant, lodges and larger farms.
  • Pastoral fields, with fenced or hedgerow edges, some reverting to wetland and rough grazing in less well-drained areas.
  • Dispersed traditional farmsteads and newer houses on better drained higher land, linked by minor roads and a network of farm tracks.

Scotland’s Historic Land-Use Map lists the land surrounding the scheme extents as rectilinear fields and farms, plantation, freshwater area, and rough grazing.

No trees under a Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents.

Scotland’s Ancient Woodland Inventory has identified Tom an Uird Wood area of ‘Long-Established (of plantation origin)’ ancient woodland (site ID: 36) located adjacent to the scheme and overlaps with the scheme extents.

Biodiversity

The A95 carriageway verge within the scheme extents contains sporadic mature trees and scrub to the east and dense woodland to the west.

Scotland’s Ancient Woodland Inventory has identified Tom an Uird Wood area of ‘Long-Established (of plantation origin)’ ancient woodland (site ID: 36) located adjacent to the scheme and overlaps with the scheme extents.

NatureScot’s Sitelink has identified the River Spey Special Area of Conservation (SAC) located 200m north of the scheme and hydrologically connected to the scheme extents.

Due to the potential for likely significant effects on the designated European site, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken for the scheme.

NatureScot’s Sitelink has identified the River Spey Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) (ID: 170091) located 200m north of the scheme and hydrologically connected to the scheme extents.

The NBN Atlas resource has not identified the presence of any Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the scheme extents; however, it has identified the presence of Transport Scotland Target Species rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) within 500m of the scheme extents.

Field Survey

Following a desk-based review, an Amey ecologist considered that a site visit was deemed necessary as the works involve vegetation cutback and excavation. A site visit was undertaken by Amey ecologists on 11th and 12th March 2026. This survey highlighted the following key constraints:

  • The River Spey SAC is located 200m north of the scheme at closest point and is hydrologically connected by the drainage channel transversing the site from the small stone bridge culvert;
  • A clear, shallow, slow flowing drainage channel approximately 1m wide runs from a culvert under a stone bridge carrying the A95 carriageway;
  • Areas of grassland, scattered trees, scrub, and woodland are located within and adjacent to the scheme extents, including woodland associated with Tom An Uird Wood Ancient Woodland site;

Geology and soils

The scheme is not located within 200m of any Geological Conservation Review sites (GCRs), or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) designated for their geological significance (NatureScot’s Sitelink).

The National Soil Map of Scotland lists the soil present within the scheme extents to be that of Humus-iron podzols.

Bedrock Geology:

Nethybridge Psammite Formation-Psammite. These rocks were sedimentary in origin but have subsequently undergone metamorphism.

Superficial Deposits:

River Terrace Deposits (Undifferentiated)-Gravel, sand, silt and clay. These sedimentary deposits are fluvial in origin. They are detrital, ranging from coarse- to fine-grained and form beds and lenses of deposits reflecting the channels, floodplains and levees of a river or estuary (if in a coastal setting).

Material assets and waste

Materials required are detailed below.

  • Concrete;
  • Granular material (6F5 capping/filter stone);
  • Topsoil (sitewon material from scrape to be used as far as practical);
  • Asphalt; and
  • PVC drainage pipes.

Materials will be derived from recycled, secondary or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions.

Excavated material will be reused and backfilled on site.

A concrete mix using cement replacement products is proposed.

Filter stone may contain a percentage of recycled content from previous schemes.

A proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% -15% with up to 10% in surface course.

Wastes

Anticipated wastes from the works are listed below.

  • Felled trees; and
  • Asphalt (50m length, 6m width of road to be excavated out and reinstated).

All waste leaving the site will be removed from site by a licence waste carrier. All waste documentation will be provided when requested.

Where practicable, excavated material will be reused on site for reinstatement. Any surplus excavated soils that cannot be reused will be removed from site by a licensed waste carrier; however, these may be recycled for use elsewhere on the road network where suitable.

All waste will be disposed of following regulations of the Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (EASR).

Filter stone and soils will be reused and/or recycled in future schemes.

Uncontaminated road planings resulting from the required works will be fully recycled in accordance with the criteria stipulated within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) document ‘Guidance on the Production of Fully Recoverable Asphalt Road Planings.

This scheme value is not in excess of £350k and therefore a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required to be produced.

Noise and vibration

Baseline noise and vibration levels are likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic from the A95 carriageway and surrounding residential and agricultural activities. The AADF in 2024 for the nearest traffic count point on the A95 carriageway (estimated count point ID: 10866), accounted for 3,160 vehicles, with 402 of these being HGVs.

There are two properties within 300m of the works with the closest located approximately 88m north of the works. No non-residential noise sensitive receptors have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents.

Scotland’s Noise Map has indicated modelled day-evening-night noise levels (Lden) in the areas surrounding the carriageway to be around 55-71 dB within 80m. Night-time noise levels (Lnight) surrounding the carriageway show levels of 47-62 dB within 80m.

The scheme is not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined within the Transportation Noise Action Plan.

Population and human health

The scheme is located along a rural stretch of the A95 carriageway approximately 1.1km northeast of the village of Cromdale, Highland Council.

There are two properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, with the closest located 88m north of the works.

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

There is a farm located approximately 230m west of the scheme.

There are noNational Cycle Network (NCN) routes or bridleways (RideMaps Scotland) within 300m of the scheme.

Highland Council Core Paths have been identified within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • CP (ID: LBS116a) is present within and adjacent to the scheme extents, crossing over the A95 carriageway; and
  • CP (ID: LBS1i) is located approx. 255m north of the scheme, along the west bank of the River Spey.

There are two bus stops or laybys located within the scheme extents, including: E Pollowick Road End Northbound (NB) and E Pollowick Road End Southbound (SB).

The A95 carriageway within the scheme extents is not street-lit and contains no pedestrian footways.

There are two single access points to adjacent property and forestry land are located within approximately 10m of the scheme extents.

There is a layby located along the SB lane of the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.

The works will be fully contained within the carriageway boundary, requiring no land take from residential, agricultural, business, or community land.

Road drainage and the water environment

River Spey - R. Nethy to R. Avon (ID: 23096), a classified surface watercourse designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is located approximately 88m north of the scheme extents at its closest point. It exhibits a ‘Good’ overall status under SEPA’s 2024 water classification data. This river is located within the River Spey catchment of the Scotland river basin district. This is an inland surface water, not influenced by normal tidal action at this location (SEPA Water Classification Hub).

A minor, unnamed, unclassified (under the Water Framework Directive) watercourse/field drain traverses the scheme extents, flowing beneath the carriageway and discharges into the River Spey watercourse.

The groundwater conditions within the scheme extents (entitled ‘Upper Spey Sand and Gravel’, site ID: 150814) is noted as being in ‘Good’ condition under the WFD (SEPA Water Classification Hub).

There is no risk of surface water flooding or river flooding within the scheme extents (SEPA Flood Maps).

The scheme is located within the ‘Upper Spey Valley’ (ID: 150814) Drinking Water Safeguard Zone (Ground).

The scheme is not located within a Scottish Government Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVR).

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 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.