Description of main environmental impacts and proposed mitigation

Air quality

Impacts

During the construction activities, including the embankment stabilization and drainage improvements, there is the potential for an increase in dust and emissions from plant and machinery. This may result in slight, temporary deterioration in air quality within the local area and could cause a nuisance due to increased dust.
TM being implemented during the scheme may result in an increase in associated vehicle emissions through idling vehicles and increased congestion, particularly on diversion routes.
All identified impacts are expected to be temporary, intermittent, and limited to the duration of the construction works. As such, no long-term changes in air quality are predicted.

Mitigation

Best practice and measures as outlined in the ‘Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction (January 2024)’ published by the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), which includes the following mitigation relevant to this scheme will be followed:
The site layout will be planned (including plant, vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)) so that machinery and dust causing activities are located away from receptors, as far as reasonably practicable;
Materials that have a potential to produce dust will be removed from site as soon as possible, unless being re-used on site (stockpiles will be covered or fenced to prevent wind whipping);
Cutting, grinding or sawing equipment will be fitted or used in conjunction with suitable dust suppression techniques such as water sprays or local extraction, e.g. suitable local exhaust ventilation systems;
Drop heights from conveyors and other loading or handling equipment will be minimised;
Vehicles carrying wastes and materials will be covered when entering and leaving the work area to prevent escape of materials during transport;
Equipment will be readily available on site to clean any dry spillages and spillages will be cleaned up as soon as reasonably practicable after the event using wet cleaning methods; and
When not in use, plant, vehicles and NRMMs will be switched off and there will be no idling vehicles.
Plant, vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) will be regularly maintained, paying attention to the integrity of exhaust systems to ensure such fuel operated equipment is not generating excessive fumes.
Green driving techniques will be adopted, and effective route preparation and planning will be undertaken prior to works.
Where possible, materials will be sourced locally.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted on air quality. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 105: Air Quality no further assessment is required.

Cultural Heritage

Impacts

There are two cultural heritage assets located approx. 11m south of the scheme, including the Battle of Cromdale battlefield and HER. While works will be contained within the carriageway boundary with no land acquisition, temporary minor impacts on the settling of the battlefield asset may occur during construction. However, these effects are anticipated to be short-term, localised and not significant. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has been consulted regarding the scheme.
Temporary, minor visual impacts may occur during construction as a result of the presence of operatives, plant, and vehicles and TM, however, these effects are short-term and localised to the scheme extents.
There will be a short-term impact on the landscape character and visual amenity of the area due to the presence of construction vehicles and traffic management. However, this will be restricted to the existing A95 carriageway and will be limited to the short duration of the works.
The original construction of the A95 carriageway is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present. Therefore, the likelihood of unknown archaeological remains within the works area, confined to the carriageway boundary has been assessed to be low.

Mitigation

Site operatives will be made aware of the Battlefield sites and HER assets located within close proximity to the works area.
Plant and machinery will be stored within the carriageway boundary as much as possible, ensuring they do not encroach on the identified cultural heritage features.
Should excavations uncover discolour soils, or pieces of ceramic, bone or other materials of note, works will cease and the Amey Environment team contacted.
Should the nature of the works change, the Amey Environment team will be contacted prior to works commencing.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) was notified of the works on 18^thMarch 2026.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated on cultural heritage as a result of the scheme. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 106: Cultural Heritage Assessment no further assessment is required.

Landscape and visual effects

Impacts

Visual receptors identified have the potential to be visually impacted by the scheme during construction due to the presence of TM, plant, vehicles, machinery and operatives. There will be no operational impacts on visual receptors including the national park as works entail the like-for-like embankment stabilisation and drainage improvement works along the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.
The general setting of the area (including national park) may be impacted during construction due to the presence of TM, plant, vehicles, machinery and operatives. No permanent impacts are anticipated to the Cairngorms National Park.
The scheme entails like-for-like embankment stabilisation and drainage improvements and requires the removal of approximately eight trees along the embankment. The scheme will not extend beyond the current carriageway boundary. As such, no vegetation removal, trimming, or impacts to ancient woodland are anticipated. Temporary visual impacts on views of the ancient woodland edge are anticipated during the construction phase as a result of the TM and construction activities.
The works will be contained within the carriageway boundary, and, as far as reasonably practicable, will avoid encroachment into the Ancient Woodland (ID: 36); therefore, no impacts on Ancient Woodland are anticipated.
Plant, vehicles, machinery and operatives operating within the verge have the potential to visually impact the soft-state ground and vegetation present.

Mitigation

Works will be contained within the A95 carriageway extents and will avoid encroaching into Ancient Woodlands.
Throughout all stages of the works, the site will be kept clean and tidy, with materials, equipment, plant and wastes appropriately stored, reducing landscape and visual effects as much as possible.
Plant, vehicles, and materials will be contained to hardstanding areas within the carriageway boundary (as far as reasonably practicable). If damage to the landscape occurs, reinstatement of soil, grass or grass seed will be carried out.
Asset installation will be of a minimal visual impact (if any due to the like-for-like nature of the scheme) and will be in keeping with the current setting of the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.
Vegetation cutback (where required) will be kept to a minimum and will avoid opening any gaps in the tree/shrub line, thus avoiding the introduction of residential visual receptors.
The National Park Authority (NPA) was notified of the works on 18^th March 2026. A response has been received from the National Park Authority, confirming that the NPA have no comments on the proposed works.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated on landscape and visual effects as a result of the scheme. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Impacts

Works have the potential to impact the (albeit, limited) aquatic ecosystem within the unnamed field drain through changes in water quality, noise and vibrational disturbance and via direct physical impacts from nearby bank improvement and culvert works. This includes (but is not limited to) impacts from improper disposal of materials into the channel, seepage of chemicals, silting, changes to flow rates and erosion.
Construction activities have the potential to cause temporary adverse impacts on biodiversity and protected species due to vehicle presence, noise and artificial site lighting. This may disturb protected species within the scheme surroundings.
The works will be contained within the carriageway boundary, and, as far as reasonably practicable, will avoid encroachment into the Ancient Woodland (ID: 36); therefore, no impacts on Ancient Woodland habitats are anticipated.
There is potential for likely significant effects on the River Spey SAC.
The area of grassland on the sloped verge embankment and adjacent to the field, including areas supporting rosebay willowherb, will be subject to localised habitat loss as a result of excavation and embankment stabilisation works.
No bird nests were recorded during the survey. However, as works are set to occur during the main bird nesting season (March to August inclusive) there is the potential to impact birds which could be nesting in the habitats within and adjacent to the site.

Mitigation

Any vegetation and earth removed will not be disposed of into the field drain channel. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that the works do not result in increased erosion of the bed or banks of the field drain.
No operatives, plant, vehicles or machinery will enter the watercourse at any point throughout the proposed scheme, with all works taking place from the field drain's banks and the carriageway boundary. All reasonable steps including debris netting and controlled excavations will be in place to limits debris entering the field drain beneath the carriageway.
Any installations to the banks surrounding the channel of the field drain, including the installation of the new culvert will not enhance the rate of outfall into the watercourse present, and will not alter the hydromorphology and flow rate of the field drain itself.
A Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) was undertaken and has concluded that there will be no Likely Significant Effects (LSE) on the River Spey SAC due to the following:
The works will not lead to a reduction of habitat area as the scheme works will be restricted to the existing carriageway only and there will be no in-water works.
There is a potential for the works to cause disturbance to key species in the locale. To minimise disturbance best practice measures will be put in place. Additionally, as there will be an existing level of noise and lighting coming from the A95 traffic and as works are brief and unintrusive, it is not expected that the works will cause significant disturbance to wildlife.
The works will not be located within the designated site. The works will not cause any obstruction to any of the key species.
Best Practice Pollution Prevention measures will be implemented throughout the works.
Disturbed areas will be reinstated following construction through re-seeding with an appropriate grass and other species mix, and, where practicable, replanting of native species to promote habitat regeneration.
Works will be contained within the A95 carriageway extents and will avoid encroaching into Ancient Woodlands.
Operatives will remain vigilant for the presence of protected species within or near the works. If a protected species is seen in or near the scheme, all works will be stopped until the animal passes by. The protected species will not be approached, and the area will be temporarily isolated until the animal has moved on. Any sightings will be reported to the Amey Environment Team.
Impacts from noise will be kept to a minimum through the use of appropriate mufflers and silencers fitted to machinery. All exhaust silencers will be checked at regular intervals to ensure efficiency.
No vehicles, machinery or materials will be parked/stored on any soft verges where possible.
The Amey environmental briefing on protected species will be delivered to all site operatives before works start.
Additional mitigation measures in Noise and Vibration and Road drainage and the water environment will be implemented.
Due to the potential of foraging and commuting species in the area, the following standard construction safeguards will be followed:
There will be a slow start up of equipment if required to gradually increase levels of noise and vibrations onsite, as sudden noises can be more disturbing.
Where equipment can be used with hoods, doors or sleeves to reduce noise levels, these will be used wherever possible.
Open excavations will be fenced off and/or covered to avoid animals becoming trapped or injured. A mammal ladder (e.g. wooden plank) will be erected to allow any that may become trapped to escape. All excavations will be checked each morning to ensure no animals have become trapped overnight and an ecologist contacted for advice should any animals be encountered.
Consideration will be given to where spoil is stored, mammal proof fencing will be considered if spoil is to be stored on site for long periods of time.
Some species which are mainly active during dawn and dusk. Attempts will be made to avoid working in the vicinity during the hours of darkness and within 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset (March to October), and 1 hour after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset (November to February).
No equipment will be stored within suitable habitat.
Any clearance of suitable habitat or activities which are to occur within 5m of vegetation will require a suitably qualified/experienced ecologist to undertake a nesting bird check. Nesting bird checks will be undertaken within 48 hours prior to any vegetation clearance works taking place.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted on biodiversity. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 108: Biodiversity, no further assessment is required.

Geology and soils

Impacts

There is potential for impacts to soil quality as works require embankment stabilisation and drainage improvements within the scheme extents along the A95 carriageway. This can create adverse conditions, including erosion and polluted soils.
There is potential for spills, leaks or seepage of fuels and oils associated with machinery to escape if not controlled which may negatively affect the soil environment.
The generation of concrete dust from excavation can raise the pH of soil resulting in erosion and soil infertility.

Mitigation

All works and plant, machinery and vehicles will be contained within the carriageway boundary at all times to prevent damage to soils present on the verge areas.
See additional pollution mitigation measures in the Road Drainage and Water Environment section below.
Spill kits will be available on site and all operatives will be fully trained in their use. Fuels and chemicals required for the works will be stored securely in designated areas with secondary containment measures.
Weather reports will be monitored prior to the works, with all construction activities temporarily halting in the event of predicted high rainfall or wind.
After the works have been completed, excavations will be backfilled with soils/materials and reinstated to the original ground level. The area will be left level and free from debris.
Dust suppression systems, such as dampening down or the use of collection vacuums, will be used when cutting concrete.
Excavated soils will not be stored on site, and will be appropriately contained/covered and protected from the elements.
Excavation of soils will be kept to a minimum and only where necessary, with any excavated soils being re-used on site as far as reasonably practicable.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted on geology and soils. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and Soils, no further assessment is required.

Material assets and waste

Impacts

Virgin aggregates used in the scheme will result in loss of natural resources, reduction of finite resources and loss of biodiversity.
The nature of the scheme requires large HGVs resulting in local air quality degradation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, combined with combustion fuel usage.
Energy will be required for the scheme in the form of non-renewable fossil fuels for transport of materials and personnel, and for plant operation. The use of non-renewable fuels to power plant and machinery will be a contributing factor to GHG emissions.

Mitigation

Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR) classes uncontaminated waste asphalt 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 can be fully recycled in accordance with SEPA’s ‘Activities exempt from waste management licensing – Paragraph 13(a)’. Contaminated road planings, such as Asphalt Waste Containing Coal Tar (AWCCT) will be recycled under SEPA’s Position Statement on Cold Recycling (Reference: WAS-PS-06). Environmental authorisation from SEPA is not required for the recycling of AWCCT if the conditions within the aforementioned document are adhered to. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring that AWCCT is stored on an impermeable surface with a sealed drainage system, is not stored on site for more than 12 months, and treatment occurs at the place where the waste asphalt was produced.
All waste will be transported by a suitable licenced contractor and will be accompanied by correctly completed waste transfer note. All special waste will be transport by a suitable licenced contractor and will be accompanied by 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.
All waste will be transported by a suitable licenced contractor and will be accompanied by correctly completed waste transfer note.
Where possible, materials will be obtained locally, and operatives deployed from the local depot where possible to reduce haulage and scheme associated journeys, reducing impact of associated Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions on climate change.
The contractor will adhere to waste management legislation and ensure they comply with waste management Duty of Care.
Materials will be sourced from recycled origins as far as reasonably practicable within design specifications.
Where possible all materials will be reused throughout the network, if not possible they will be recycled locally.
Where practicable, materials arising from the works will be re-used on site to minimise waste generation and reduce the need for imported materials.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted as a result of the material assets required and the wastes being produced. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 110: Material Assets and Waste, no further assessment is required.

Noise and vibration

Impacts

Works are programmed during daytime working hours and are unlikely to cause disturbance for residential properties within 300m of the scheme extents.
Those living alongside diversion routes will be impacted by the scheme with increased traffic levels on local roads generating additional noise.
The works will not change the existing baseline noise level during operation for any sensitive receptors.

Mitigation

On-site construction tasks will be programmed to be as efficient as possible, with a view to limiting noise disruption to local sensitive receptors.
Effects from noise will be kept to a minimum through the use of appropriate mufflers and silencers fitted to machinery. All exhaust silencers will be checked at regular intervals to ensure efficiency.
A ‘soft start’ to works will be in place, whereby plant/machinery/vehicles are started sequentially as opposed to simultaneously.
Amey’s environmental briefing on noise and vibration will be delivered to operatives prior to the start of construction.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted for Noise and Vibration. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 111: Noise and Vibration and no further assessment is required.

Population and human health

Impacts

TM has potential to cause temporary disruption to bus services, including bus timetables (i.e. congestion and increased travel times) and potential temporary impacts to bus stop access or short-term closures during construction.
TM for the works will involve diversion routes and the re-routing of traffic. Nearby residents may experience travel disruption due to presence of TM, which may lead to increased journey lengths and times. Those living by, and utilising diversion route roads may also experience travel disruption and disturbance as a result of the scheme.
There will be no permanent or temporary impacts on land take from private land, community facilities or agricultural land as a result of the scheme as all works will be contained within the carriageway boundary.

Mitigation

Local residents within 300m of the scheme extents and road users will be notified in advance of the works and all associated TM arrangements.
TM will be advertised upon approach and in advance of the scheme. When in place, TM will be monitored to ensure it is effectively managing traffic flow.
Any temporary bus stop closures associated with the works will be advertised in advance and managed in consultation with the local authority public transport team, with alternative arrangements provided where required.
Site specific control measures regarding noise and vibration, landscape and visual effects and air quality can be found in the relevant sections (above).

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects on population and human health are predicted. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 112: Population and Human Health, no further assessment is required.

Road drainage and the water environment

Impacts

Potential for spills, routine runoff, leaks or seepage of fuels and oils associated with plant to escape and/or leach into the watercourse if not controlled, which may negatively affect the surrounding water environment and surface/ground water quality. There is potential for the unnamed field drain beneath the scheme extents to be polluted with alkaline concrete wash water from the proposed works entering the drainage system.
Changes to the flow rate of the unnamed field drain and impacts from spillage/routine runoff have the potential to impact groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems.
The proposed scheme has the potential to detrimentally impact the banks of the field drain if carried out incorrectly, with the potential for sediments to enter the watercourse and the potential for erosion increased as a result.
If not appropriately controlled, debris and runoff from the works on the A95 carriageway surface has the potential to enter nearby drains and watercourses and could detrimentally impact water quality.
In the event of a flooding incident, debris may be mobilised and could enter the road drainage having a detrimental effect on the surrounding local water environment.
The Drinking Water Safeguard Zone identified will not be impacted by the scheme due to the nature of the works (e.g. minor, transient etc.) combined with the relevant pollution control measures.

Mitigation

No operatives, plant, vehicles or machinery will enter the watercourse at any point throughout the proposed scheme, with all works taking place from the field drain's banks and the carriageway boundary. All reasonable steps including debris netting and controlled excavations will be in place to limits debris entering the field drain beneath the carriageway.
Any vegetation and earth removed will not be disposed of into the field drain channel.
All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure that the works do not result in increased erosion of the bed or banks of the field drain. This will be undertaken with controlled excavations and relevant buffer zones (where applicable) from working areas to the watercourse.
Any installations to the banks surrounding the channel of the field drain, including the installation of the new culvert will be designed in such a way as to not enhance the rate of outfall into the watercourse present, and will not alter the hydromorphology of the field drain itself.
Best practice, as detailed by SEPA’s Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP5 and PPG6), will always be followed onsite. This will ensure that any potential debris/spills are not allowed to enter road drainage unchecked.
Appropriate measures will be implemented onsite to prevent any potential pollution to the natural water environment (e.g. debris, dust and hazardous substances). This will include, but will not be limited to, spill kits being present onsite at all times, and the use of funnels and drip trays when transferring fuel, and utilisation of drain covers/shielding boards.
Any pollution incidences will be reported to the Amey control room.
Operatives will conduct regular checks of the work site, especially in periods of heavy wind and rainfall.
All debris which has the potential to be suspended in surface water and wash into the local water environment will be cleaned from the site following the works.
Bunds will be provided around drums up to 205 litres with a buffer of 25% of their capacity, and around bulk storage to a capacity of 110% of the stored fuel/oil.
All plant and fuel storage at the site compound will be located on hardstanding and sited more than 10m from any watercourse.
All plant and fuel storage areas will be located away from areas that see high vehicular movement to prevent accidental damage.
All oils and fuels will be returned to the storage area after use.
No refuelling will take place within 10m of any watercourse, including field drains and road drainage.
If the mixing of concrete on site is required, site operatives will apply suitable controls to prevent the mixture escaping to the surrounding environment:
All mixing will take place a minimum of 10m away from watercourses and drains where possible.
All drains within proximity to any mixing will be securely covered or sealed off.
Weather reports will be monitored prior to and during all construction activities. In the event of adverse weather/flooding events, all activities will temporarily stop, and only reconvene when deemed safe to do so, and when run-off/drainage can be adequately controlled to prevent pollution.
Amey’s environmental briefing on Water Pollution Prevention will be delivered to all site operatives before works start.

Providing all works operate in accordance with current best practice, as demonstrated by SEPA’s Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPPs), no significant effects are predicted on the water environment. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 113: Road Drainage and the Water Environment no further assessment is required.

Climate

Impacts

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions will be emitted through the use of machinery, vehicles and materials used (containing recycled and virgin materials) and transporting to and from site.

Mitigation

Local suppliers will be used as far as reasonably practicable to reduce travel time and GHG emitted as part of the works.
Vehicles/plant will not be left on when not in use to minimise and prevent unnecessary emissions.
Further actions and considerations for this scheme are detailed in the above Material assets and waste section.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, the residual significance of effect on climate is considered to be not significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 114: Climate, no further assessment is required.

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