Description of main enviromental impacts and proposed mitigation

Air quality

Construction activities associated with the proposed works may temporarily impact local air quality in the surrounding area and pose a nuisance to nearby receptors. Construction activities will likely emit dust and particulate matter into the atmosphere, such as during the breaking out of concrete from signage foundations and VRS posts and terminals. Furthermore, there will likely be an increased HGV and plant presence along this section of the carriageway during the construction period.

TM will likely cause delays, increased congestion and increased traffic emissions.

Post construction there will be no change to traffic flow characteristics (e.g. traffic composition, speed or flows).

Given the nature and scale of the works and the following mitigation measures, the risk of significant impacts on air quality is considered low. Any impacts will be temporary, for the works duration only.

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:

Materials that have a potential to produce dust, such as excavated material, will be removed from site as soon as possible, unless being re-used on site (cover or fence stockpiles to prevent wind whipping);
Drop heights from conveyors and other loading or handling equipment will be minimised;
Vehicles entering and leaving the work area will be covered/sheeted to prevent escape of materials during transport;
Equipment will be readily available on site to clean any dry spillages and clean up spillages as soon as reasonably practicable after the event using wet cleaning methods.

The following additional mitigation measures will be implemented:

When not in use, plant and vehicles will be switched off and there will be no idling vehicles.
All plant and fuel-requiring equipment used during construction will be well maintained to minimise emissions.

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

Cultural heritage

No designated cultural heritage features are identified within the scheme extents, with the closest asset, a listed building located 260m from the scheme end. There are no anticipated impacts to the identified designated features as no land acquisition is required. Furthermore, vibration effects from the scheme are not anticipated to be significant due to the nature of the works.

Original construction of the A96 carriageway and associated infrastructure (signage and VRS) is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present. Therefore, the potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains in the study area is low, with works restricted to the trunk road boundary.

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

Plant and machinery will be stored within the carriageway boundary as far as reasonably practicable. Where areas out with the carriageway are to be accessed, it will be reduced as far as possible and ideally limited to access on foot.
If a change to the construction programme onsite is required that involves changes to scheme extents Amey’s Environmental Team will be notified.

No significant effects are anticipated to cultural heritage. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 106: Cultural Heritage, no further assessment is required.

Landscape and visual effects

There will likely be a short-term impact on the landscape character and visual amenity of the site as a result of the presence of construction plant, vehicles, and TM.

However, vehicles, plant and materials will be restricted to areas of made ground on the A96, construction works are programmed to be undertaken overnight, and the works will continuously move along the scheme length during the scheme duration.

The works are not anticipated to impact the range, or sensitivity of views, or level of screening from any visual receptors. Upon completion of the works, no residual impacts are anticipated, as once complete the visual appearance will remain largely unaffected. The installation of new and upgraded VRS and signage will not detract from overall landscape quality or distinctiveness due to the A96, and existing infrastructure being a predominant feature within the landscape.

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

Throughout all stages of the works, the site will be kept clean and tidy, with materials, equipment, plant and wastes appropriately stored, reducing the landscape and visual effects as much as possible.
Works will avoid encroaching on land and areas where work is not required or not permitted. This includes general works, storage of equipment/containers and parking.

With the above mitigation measures in place, it is anticipated that any landscape and visual effects associated with the proposed works will not be significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Construction activities have the potential to have a temporary adverse impact on biodiversity in the area as a result of vehicle presence and the potential for disturbance to protected species within close surroundings; and potential to pollute habitats from noise and artificial site lighting. Findings from the PEW indicate that in the absence of mitigation, the proposed works could negatively impact protected species, and have the potential to spread giant hogweed on, or off site.

There is potential for the works to pollute aquatic habitats from construction activities such as such as excavation and breaking out of concrete foundations. If there is mobilisation or run-off of pollutants, sediment or debris into the watercourse or drainage systems. Please see Road Drainage and the Water Environment section for further details.

There is no anticipated impact to the areas of AWI located adjacent to the scheme extents as no vegetation clearance, or land take is required.

A HRA has been undertaken due to the potential for likely significant effects (LSE) to Mortlach Moss SAC and its qualifying features. This concluded no LSE to the designated area as:

The habitat area of the designated site will not be reduced as a result of the scheme.
There will be no change in the level of disturbance to key species as a result of the scheme.
No habitat fragmentation will occur as a result of the scheme.
There will be no reduction in species density as a result of the scheme.
There will be no change in the key indicators of conservation value.
The scheme will not reduce the ability of the designated site to cope with climate change.

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

Works will remain outwith 5m of any recorded stand of giant hogweed. If this is not possible, works will only commence under a method statement which details the proper working methodologies to limit the spread of this species.
A ‘soft start’ will be implemented on site each day. This involves switching on plant/vehicles sequentially as opposed to simultaneously to ensure a gradual increase in noise for minimal disturbance.
Site lighting will be directional and aimed away from sensitive ecological receptors including trees and watercourses as far as is reasonably practicable.
Should a protected species be encountered or move on site, works will be temporarily stopped, and Amey’s Environmental Team will provide advice.
Amey’s Environmental Team will be contacted if:
There are any sightings of protected species on, or within close surroundings of the active works area; and
Unforeseen site clearance, or additional construction activities are required.
Plant, vehicles and materials will be contained within areas of engineered ground and not stored on grass verges as far as reasonably practicable. If required, reinstatement of any damaged areas will be undertaken upon completion of the scheme.
Amey’s environmental briefings on ‘Invasive Plants’ and ‘Protected Species’ will be delivered to all site operatives prior to works commencing.

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

Geology and soils

Excavation works for sign posts, VRS barrier posts and terminals have the potential to result in minor soil disturbance, with exposed soils having the potential to become polluted, for example through accidental pollution from fuel spillage.

Any potential impact is not significant and does not carry the potential to affect the overall function or quality of the soil resource. Furthermore, excavations are not anticipated to be at a depth to adversely impact geology.

There is no anticipated impact to the GCRs and SSSI due to the distance from the scheme and nature of the works with no pathways present.

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

Vehicles and materials will not be stored or parked on grass verges where possible. Where damage occurs, the reinstatement of the grass verge will be carried out. 
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.
Additional pollution prevention measures as outlined in the Road Drainage and the Water Environment section below will also be adhered to during construction.

With mitigation measures in place there is no significant effect anticipated 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

There is potential for impacts as a result of resource depletion through use and transportation of new materials. However, metal materials, for the new VRS will contain a percentage of recycled material, and due to the scale and scope of works no significant impacts are anticipated for material assets and waste.

There is potential for impact with regard to pollution from materials and wastes if they are not appropriately managed.

The following mitigation measures will be implemented:

All waste will be transported by suitable licenced contractor and have a valid Waste Transfer Note (WTN).
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.
Operators will have a duty of care to ensure the safe handling, storage, and transfer of waste. This includes maintaining proper documentation and ensuring that waste is only transferred to licensed carriers.
Waste will be stored in suitable containers and covered.
Where possible, different waste streams will be separated at the source.
The waste hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Dispose) will be employed throughout the construction works.
Good materials management methods (e.g., ‘just-in-time’ delivery) will be implemented wherever possible, to minimise/prevent the disposal of unused materials.
Containment measures will be in place to prevent debris or pollutants from entering the surrounding environment, such as drain covers.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are predicted for materials and wastes. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 110: Material Assets and Waste no further assessment is required.

Noise and vibration

Construction activities and working methods associated with the proposed works including excavation and breaking ground, have the potential to cause noise, and vibration impacts through the use of machinery (e.g. excavator, hydraulic breaker and auger drill) and construction vehicles. This potential disturbance will likely impact NSRs surrounding scheme extents, however, this is not anticipated to significantly increase noise levels from ambient levels.

TM, and associated congestion may also contribute to increased noise levels during the construction period.

Upon completion of the works, no adverse noise and vibration impacts are anticipated.

Please see Biodiversity section for further noise impacts with regard to surrounding wildlife.

The relevant Best Practicable Means outlined in British Standard (BS) 5228:2009+A1:2014 ‘Code of practice for Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites’ will be implemented and followed in order to reduce noise and vibration disturbance. The BS provides specific detail on suitable measures for noise control in respect to construction operations; for example:

Where reasonably practicable, quiet working methods will be employed, including use of the most suitable plant, reasonable hours of working for noisy operations, and economy and speed of operations.
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.
Operations will be sequenced to minimise simultaneous use of high-noise equipment, and a ‘soft start’ to works will be in place, whereby plant/machinery/vehicles are started sequentially as opposed to simultaneously.
Electrically powered equipment will be used where feasible instead of diesel or petrol alternatives.
Plant and machinery will be regularly maintained to prevent excessive noise from worn parts or inefficient operation.
On-site construction tasks will be programmed to be as efficient as possible, with a view to limiting noise disruption to local sensitive receptors. Where night-works are to be undertaken, the noisiest works should be undertaken before 23:00 where possible.

The following further mitigation measures related to noise and vibration will be in place:

Amey’s Noise and Vibration environmental briefing will be delivered to all site operatives before works start.
A letter drop will be delivered to residents within 300m to notify them of upcoming works, TM arrangements timings and duration.
Aberdeenshire and Moray Council Environmental Health Teams have been contacted to notify of night-time programming.

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

Population and human health

No significant congestion issues are noted during the proposed construction hours; however, increased journey times may occur due to TM measures. These are not considered significant due to works being undertaken overnight, outwith peak traffic hours. Furthermore, no full road closures or diversion routes will be required to facilitate the works.

Numerous laybys and access points to local roads and residential and agricultural land are within the scheme extents, with the potential for the works to impact access/egress and use of laybys. However, the works will move progressively along the full scheme extent during the construction period and specific measures will be in place to mitigate against significant impacts. For example:

Access/egress will be maintained/granted throughout the construction period.
Any temporary layby closures will be advertised on approach.
Construction lighting will be directional, to prevent illuminating surrounding properties to avoid a nuisance at night.
Aberdeenshire and Moray Council’s Environmental Health Teams have been notified of the works.

Local residents and road users will be informed of the proposed working schedule, in particular the times and durations of the works. This will include:

Notification via a letter drop to properties within 300m will be issued prior to commencement of the works, due to night-time programming and road restrictions;
Pre-construction notice of the works and journey planning via social media; and on approach to scheme extents.

Please see the Landscape and Visual Effects section above for an assessment of the visual impacts to visual receptors.

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

Road drainage and the water environment

During the works, there is potential for temporary impacts on the water environment. This includes potential changes in water quality from pollution events (either by accidental spillage fuels, waste material, or concrete, or by mobilisation of these in surface water) during the works which may have a direct or indirect effect on the surrounding water environment.

Various watercourses flow beneath the carriageway and are within the scheme surroundings; however, no in-water works will take place and there is no requirement for the abstraction or transfers of water from, or discharges to a waterbody. As such, the potential for a direct pollution incident within a waterbody is unlikely.

Amey’s Environmental Briefing ‘Water Pollution and Prevention’ will be delivered to site operatives prior to works commencing.
All operatives will be aware of SEPA’s Guidance for Pollution Prevention (GPP) documents.
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 both during and following the works.
All site operatives will be made aware of site spillage response procedures and in the event of a spill all works associated with the spill will stop, and the incident reported. Spill kits will also be available within all site vehicles and spill kits will be replenished onsite when required.
The Amey control room will be contacted if any pollution incidences occur (24 hours, 7 days a week).
In the event of a pollution incident, SEPA will be notified without delay.
Weather reports will be monitored prior to and during the works with all construction activities temporarily halting in the event of adverse weather/flooding event in order to adequately control run-off/drainage to prevent pollution.
All storage areas (fuels, machinery, plant, materials) where required will be located/stored:
Away (>10m) from watercourses and surface water drainage systems; and
Away from areas that see high vehicular movement (as far as reasonably practicable) to prevent damage by collision or extremes of weather.
Fuels stored within a drip tray, bund or other form of secondary containment.
Curing concrete for foundations will be protected/covered from precipitation to prevent runoff contamination.

With mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated 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

Construction activities associated with the proposed works have the potential to cause local air quality impacts as a result of the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through the use of vehicles and machinery, material use and production, and transportation of materials to and from site. However, given the nature of the scheme, the volume of materials required to be imported on site is not significant.

The following mitigation measures will be in place:

Where possible, materials and suppliers will be sourced locally to reduce GHG emissions associated with travel distance.
Where waste is to be disposed of, this will be disposed at a local waste management facility where possible.
Plant, machinery and vehicles will not be left idling when not in use.
Further actions and considerations for this scheme are detailed in the above Material Assets and Waste section.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects are anticipated on Climate. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 114: Climate, no further assessment is required.

Vulnerability of the project to risks

The A96 carriageway within the scheme has small, localised patches identified at risk of surface water and river flooding. Works will be programmed as far as is reasonably practicable to avoid periods of adverse weather or heavy rainfall.

The construction activities will be confined within the carriageway boundary, ensuring no increased risk or severity of major accidents or disasters impacting the environment. Upon completion, overall road safety will be enhanced through the renewal of VRS safety barriers.

Assessment cumulative effects

Moray Council Planning Portal has highlighted four extant planning applications within 500m of the scheme extents:

25/00220/S36SCN Land South Of The B9115 Edintore Moray AB55 5PJ (Consultation request on an EIA screening opinion for a 400 MW Battery Energy Storage System);
25/00265/APP Newtack Keith Moray AB55 5PH (Change of use of agricultural land to temporary compound);
25/00048/APP Land Approx 400 Metres South East Of Blackhillock Substation Keith (Installation of diesel generators, fuel storage and ancillary equipment associated with the consented BESS).
25/00043/S36 Land At Gibston Farm Blackhillock Keith (Construction and operation of a 349MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with associated infrastructure including access roads, sub-station buildings, supporting equipment, fencing, drainage and landscaping).

Aberdeenshire Council Planning Portal has identified one extant planning application within 500m of the scheme extents:

APP/2025/0674 Glenhead Of Coachford Cairnie Huntly AB54 4TU (Erection of Kennels and Office Building (Sui Generis)).

The Scottish Road Works Commissioner’s Interactive Map has not identified any road works along the A95, or surrounding area that would conflict or result in cumulative effects with the proposed scheme.

At present, Amey’s programme of works has not highlighted any works or relevant proposed developments or planning applications during the proposed timescale at the location of the works.

During construction, activities associated with the works may have minor temporary disturbances such as changes to noise and vibration and air quality, and potential disturbance to local wildlife.

No in-combination effects are anticipated with the proposed scheme and identified planning applications due to timescales, and application status’ (the scheme is anticipated to be completed in August 2025). It is not expected that the decided planning permissions will overlap with the strategic road safety scheme, and furthermore due to the nature of the scheme and mitigation measures, no significant cumulative effects are anticipated.

The scheme is not anticipated to have significant environmental effects having regard to its nature, scale and location. The residual impacts arising from the works can be appropriately mitigated and thus no cumulative or in-combination effects are anticipated.

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