Description of main environmental impacts and proposed mitigation

Air quality

Impacts

On site construction activities carry the potential to produce airborne particulate matter, dust and generate emissions that may have a temporary impact on local air quality levels and act as a nuisance to nearby residents.
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.

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 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.
Surfaces will be swept where loose material remains following planing.

No significant effects are predicted on air quality. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 105: Air Quality no further assessment is required.

Landscape and visual effects

Impacts

There will be no operational impacts on visual receptors including the national park as works entail the like-for-like resurfacing of the A95 carriageway within the scheme extents.
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.
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.

Mitigation

Works will be contained within the A95 carriageway extents.
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.
Visual screening will be used where possible to minimise visual impacts on surrounding receptors.
Where possible, vehicles, plant and machinery will be stored out of sight from nearby visual receptors. All site areas will be well-kept and tidy.
The National Park Authority (NPA) was notified of the works on the 5^th January and are content that no further mitigation measures are required.

The residual effect on landscape and visual effects is deemed to be not significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Impacts

During night-time programming, misdirected site lighting and additional noise could cause temporary disturbance to any surrounding nocturnal species.
Due to the scheme being contained within the pavement boundary, the ancient woodland identified within 500m of the scheme extents and the Transport Scotland Target Species identified within the carriageway verge will not be impacted by the works.
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 proposed 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.
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 proposed works will cause significant disturbance to wildlife.
The proposed works will not lead to any loss of habitat.
The proposed works will not be located within the designated site. The proposed works will not cause any obstruction to any of the key species.
Best Practice pollution prevention measures will be implemented throughout the works.

Mitigation

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 E&S Team.
Directional lighting will be used for all construction activities where works are required at night to minimise the impact of temporary lighting on foraging and commuting nocturnal species. This will include avoiding light spill onto watercourses and adjacent woodland parcels.
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.
Additional mitigation measures in Noise and Vibration and Road drainage and the water environment will be implemented.

It has been determined that the proposed scheme will not have direct or indirect significant effects to local Biodiversity.

Material assets and waste

Impacts

The design life for the TS2010 surfacing proposed is estimated to be 20 years. This will reduce the requirement for maintenance to this section of road over the period.
The works will result in contribution to resource depletion through use of virgin materials.
GHG emissions will be generated by material production and transporting to and from site.
Transportation and recovery of materials/waste will require energy deriving from fossil fuel, a non-renewable source.

Mitigation

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.
Any non-contaminated road planings arising from the works will be fully recycled in accordance with SEPA’s guidance on the Production for Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings.
Any tar-contaminated planings will be treated as special waste and taken off site for treatment/disposal at a licenced waste facility. The Contractor is responsible for the management and disposal of road planings arising from the works. All waste will be managed in accordance with the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2025, under the relevant SEPA waste authorisation for recovery, reuse or disposal. For example, road planings will be prioritised for recovery or reuse, through recycling into new asphalt, in line with the waste hierarchy.
Waste will be transferred to SEPA-authorised facilities by carriers with valid waste carrier registration. A waste transfer note (WTN) will be completed for removal of waste from site and retained for two years, in line with statutory Duty of Care requirements.
A SWMP will be prepared prior to the works which will detail how resource use and waste will be managed. This will help control and reduce the amount of waste produced, resulting in less landfilled waste.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, the residual significance of effect on material assets and waste is considered to be not significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 110: Material Assets and Waste, no further assessment is required.

Noise and vibration

Impacts

TS2010 road surfacing is shown to have superior durability and noise reducing features compared to standard road surfacing mixes. Vehicle travellers and nearby local amenity users will benefit from improved road surfacing as a result of the scheme.
Noise heavy works will likely be required (temporarily) during night-time hours, which could cause disturbance for nearby sensitive receptors (such as residential properties within 300m).
Those living alongside diversion routes will be impacted by the scheme with increased traffic levels on local roads generating additional noise than is the norm.

Mitigation

The noisiest works will be completed before 23:00 where feasible.
Plant/machinery will be fitted with silencers/mufflers.
No plant, vehicles or machinery will be left idling when not in use.
A soft start to the works will be undertaken, whereby plant/machinery will be turned on sequentially as opposed to simultaneously.
Amey’s environmental briefing on noise and vibration will be delivered to operatives prior to the start of construction.
Amey’s ET&S team has contacted Highland Council’s Environmental Health Team to notify of the works and discuss any noise related concerns.
Residential properties within 300m will be notified in advance of the works via letter drop, providing details of timings, nature, and duration of the works.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, and due to the works being of a minor, temporary, transient nature, 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

Construction site lighting during night-time hours could cause disturbance for residential properties in close proximity, and for the nearby amenity users.
TM for the works will involve diversion routes and the re-routing of traffic. Nearby residents of surrounding settlements may experience travel disruption due to presence of TM, which may lead to increased journey lengths and times.
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.
Single access points to properties and private land will be impacted by the scheme.
The core path within 500m will not be impacted as it is on the opposite side of the River and all works are restricted to the A95 carriageway boundary.

Mitigation

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.
Temporary site lighting used throughout the scheme will be directional and pointed only at the area of works.
Site specific control measures regarding noise and vibration, landscape and visual effects and air quality can be found in the relevant sections (above).
Due to night-time programming, properties within 300m of the scheme extents will be notified in advance of the works. Pre-notification will include details of proposed timings, duration of the works.
Single access points to properties and private land will be maintained at all times throughout the scheme.

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, leaks or seepage of fuels and oils associated with plant to escape and reach drainage systems if not controlled, which may impact the water environment.
If not appropriately controlled, debris and runoff from the works 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.

Mitigation

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 storage area after use.
No refuelling will take place within 10m of any watercourse, including field drains and road drainage.
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.

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

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.

Vulnerability of the project to risks

As the works will be limited to the like-for-like resurfacing of the carriageway, there will be no change in vulnerability of the road to risk, or in severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.

It has been determined that the proposed scheme will not alter the vulnerability of the existing trunk road infrastructure to risk of major accidents or disasters.

Assessment cumulative effects

The Scottish Road Works Commissioner's Interactive Map does not highlight any other works in the area at the time of construction.

Highland Council’s Planning Portal does not highlight any proposed developments or planning applications on the A95 carriageway within 2km of the scheme.

Amey’s current programme of works has not highlighted any other works on the A95 that will be undertaken in conjunction with the scheme.

No other nearby schemes which may result in a combined effect on nearby receptors have been identified.

Any future schemes will be programmed to take into account already programmed works, and as such any effect (such as from TM arrangements and potential construction noise) will be limited.

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