Vulnerability of the project to risks

Numerous areas lie directly adjacent to the scheme, and across the scheme that have a high likelihood (10% chance each year) of flooding due to surface water and small watercourses flooding. Works will be programmed as far as is reasonably practicable to avoid periods of adverse weather or heavy rainfall. There will be no change to the likelihood of flooding on the A99 within the scheme extents upon completion of the works.

Works are restricted to areas of engineered ground of the A99 trunk road and TM will be designed in line with existing guidance. TM will consist of a lane closure with regular amnesties. Local residents will be notified of working hours and provided with appropriate contact information. Pedestrians or other NMUs will be accommodated within the traffic management setup.

A Traffic Management Plan (TMP), which includes measures to avoid or reduce disruption to road traffic, will be produced in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual (Department of Transport 2009). The TMP will ensure that there is no severance of community assets, access routes or residential development.

The works will not result in any change in vulnerability of the A99 carriageway to risk, or in severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment. The resurfacing and structural maintenance of the A99 carriageway is designed to protect users of the A99 trunk road and will have a beneficial impact on road users.

These measures along with mitigation measures and standard working practices will be detailed in the SEMP and adhered to on site. The vulnerability of the project to risks of major accidents and disasters is considered to be low.