Introduction
Purpose of the Report
The purpose of the Environmental Appraisal Report (EAR) is to inform the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage 1 assessment for the A75 Springholm and Crocketford Improvements; hereafter referred to as “the proposed scheme”. This EAR builds upon what was previously assessed for the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (hereafter referred to as “STPR2”) and the South West of Scotland Regional Transport Strategy 2023 to 2042 (hereafter referred to as “SWestrans RTS”). It enables an appraisal of key environmental constraints and potential environmental impacts associated with the six DMRB Stage 1 improvement strategies.
The six improvement strategies subject to assessment in this report are broadly defined. They are all sited within an area which will be referred to as the DMRB Stage 1 ‘Assessment Corridor’ as shown on Figure 1-1. The DMRB Stage 1 Assessment Corridor has been defined by considering existing constraints and potential improvement strategies through which road alignments could be developed to realign the existing A75 around Springholm and Crocketford, taking account of relevant road design standards in the DMRB.
The first four chapters of this EAR describe the purpose of the report, the proposed scheme, consideration of alternatives, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) methodology. The remaining chapters of the report present the assessments for each environmental factor, covering the legislation and policy frameworks, assessment methodologies including assumptions and limitations, study area, baseline conditions, potential for impacts, design mitigation with enhancement measures, and finally likely significant effects. The Cumulative Effects Chapter provides the assessment of potential cumulative effects and the Summary of Assessment Chapter provides a summary of likely construction and operational phase effects for each improvement strategy. The Acronyms and References chapters provide a list of acronyms and references used within this EAR.
Scheme Background
The A75 Trunk Road in the south-west of Scotland is 159km long and extends from Gretna and the A74(M) in the east, to Stranraer in the west. The route forms an important link for the Loch Ryan port facilities (Cairnryan). The principal towns along the route are Annan, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet, Newton Stewart and Stranraer. This background focuses specifically on previous work which identified the need for improvements around Springholm and Crocketford.
In August 1997, The Scottish Office commissioned a Route Action Plan Study for the entire length of the route. The aim of the Study was to bring together options for improvement of the A75(T) in the short, medium and long term, i.e. one to two years, two to five years and five to ten years, all with regard to Value for Money, Safety, and The Environment. The summarised output was titled A75 Gretna to Stranraer – Route Action Plan - Firm Strategy Report, published in October 1999. The short-term schemes identified localised lining, signing and junction improvements. The medium-term schemes, a number of dedicated overtaking sections, whereas the long-term schemes proposed a series of bypasses and dualling schemes. One of the recommendations for the long-term strategy included a Springholm Bypass which could consist of an off-line upgrade to Wide Single 2+1 (WS2+1) to provide guaranteed eastbound overtaking. Additionally, a bypass of Crocketford was appraised as a long-term option but not ultimately recommended to be progressed at that time.
The first Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR), published in October 2009, recommended that Transport Scotland should implement a targeted programme of measures to improve links to the Loch Ryan port facilities from the Trans-European Road Network. The recommendation was for short to medium term schemes such as physical works aimed at providing safer overtaking opportunities such as WS2+1 sections, climbing lanes and overtaking lay-bys, and improvements to the operation of junctions around Dumfries.
In January 2020, Transport Scotland published the South West Scotland Transport Study - Initial Appraisal - Case for Change . The key aim of the report was to consider the rationale for improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel on key strategic corridors in the South West of Scotland, including those served by the A75, A76, A77, A701 and A709 as well as the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock / Dumfries with a particular focus on access to the Loch Ryan port facilities. Following the development of the Transport Planning Objectives, and a process of option sifting and packaging, 23 multi-modal option packages across the study area were identified for further appraisal through the STPR process. Option Package 15 related specifically to the A75 and was described as the development of capacity enhancement measures on the A75, such as partial dualling, town/village bypasses and improved overtaking opportunities.
The second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), published in December 2022 by Transport Scotland, presented the Strategic Case for improved access to Stranraer and the Loch Ryan port facilities as Recommendation 40. Within this there are examples of improvement schemes one of which being A75 realignment around Springholm and Crocketford. These are the only two settlements on the A75 corridor not currently bypassed, and also where the speed limit drops to 30 mph.
In March 2024, Scottish Ministers were formally granted funding from the Union Connectivity Development Fund to progress Recommendation 40 from STPR2, specifically to progress initial design and assessment work in relation to the realignment of the A75 around Springholm and Crocketford. The Fund is an outcome of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review (UCR), published in November 2021. Within the UCR there is a recommendation that the UK Government (UKG) offer funding to the Scottish Government in order to support the upgrade of the existing A75 Trunk Road which would improve journeys between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The UK Government changed following a General Election held in July 2024 and the incumbent UK Government re-confirmed its commitment to funding of the initial design and assessment work.
Previous Environmental Assessment
As discussed in the Scheme Background section of this chapter, the A75 was considered as part of Recommendation 40 of STPR2, which focused on improving access to Stranraer and the ports at Cairnryan. All STPR2 Recommendations were assessed in the STPR2 Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The STPR2 SEA Environmental Report was publicly consulted on alongside the STPR2 Final Technical Report between December 2022 and February 2023.
The A75 was also included in the SWestrans RTS under the following themes that were included in the RTS and assessed in the RTS SEA:
- Theme 4: Reducing the Impact of Transport on Our Communities. Priority i: Investigate the feasibility of bypasses for Crocketford and Springholm on the A75 as well as other communities on the A7, A75, A76, A77 and A709 including Dumfries.
- Theme 8: Supporting Safe, Effective and Resilient Connections to Loch Ryan and Other Strategic Sites. Priority ii) Enhancements to the strategic road network including the A7, A75, A76, A77 and A709 should be taken forward to improve safety, journey times, diversionary routes and improve access to key locations across the region.
The RTS SEA was published in Autumn 2022 for a 12-week consultation period. The RTS SEA Post Adoption Statement was published in June 2024.
Legislative and Policy Framework
The following section provides a summary of the planning policies and context for obtaining approval for the proposed scheme. It is important to consider the relevant policies and legislation early in the planning process. This EAR represents an early stage of the decision process and will guide further work and future assessments to meet planning policies and legislation.
National Policies and Legislation
The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
The legal requirements regarding EIAs for road projects are contained in the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984. This Act was amended by the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, in order to transpose Directive 2014/52/EU, which amends the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for specific types of projects and involves the process of collecting data, consulting stakeholders, and evaluating potential environmental impacts to produce an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The purpose of the assessment is to identify and mitigate any likely environmental effects, and to supply the environmental information to decision-makers and statutory consultees to aid in the determination of an application for consent.
Under The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as amended, the proposed scheme is likely to be considered to be an Annex II project, and as such it is subject to screening. Therefore, it is not yet determined whether the proposed scheme will require an EIA in accordance with the Regulations.
Environmental assessment standards for road projects are outlined in the DMRB LA 104 - Environmental assessment and monitoring (revision 1) (hereafter referred to as “DMRB LA 104”), which provides specific guidance on individual environmental topics. In addition, Transport Scotland published Guidance - Environmental Impact Assessments for road projects which provides advice on key statutory requirements for undertaking EIAs for road projects.
National Planning Framework 4 (2023)
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2022 to 2023 emphasises the importance of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in delivering green, inclusive, and sustainable development across Scotland through to 2045. Adopted in February 2023, NPF4 integrates key policies such as the Infrastructure Investment Plan and the National Transport Strategy 2 (hereafter referred to as “NTS2”) Sustainable Travel Hierarchy and Sustainable Investment Hierarchy, embedding sustainable travel and sustainable investment principles into planning. NPF4 promotes a “local living” approach, aiming to create connected, liveable communities with reduced car dependency. The framework identifies the south of Scotland, including the A75 corridor between Springholm and Crocketford, as a regional priority for environmental protection, population growth, and green economic development. It also highlights the Stranraer Gateway as a National Development, supporting regeneration and strategic transport improvements, including the realignment of the A75, to enhance connectivity and socio-economic outcomes in south-west Scotland.
Climate Change Plan Update (CCPU) (2020)
In December 2020, the Scottish Government published Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 to reflect the enhanced climate ambitions set out in the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. This plan commits Scotland to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 at the latest. Aligned with the vision of NTS2, the plan envisions a sustainable, inclusive, safe, and accessible transport system that contributes to a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous Scotland for its communities, businesses, and visitors.
National Transport Strategy 2 (2020)
The NTS2 outlines a 20-year vision for a transport system that is sustainable, inclusive, safe, and accessible, supporting a healthier and more prosperous Scotland. It is built around four key priorities: reducing inequalities, taking climate action, enabling inclusive economic growth, and improving health and wellbeing. Specifically, for the A75, NTS2 emphasises its importance in enhancing Scotland’s connectivity for international trade, addressing the lack of direct freight routes to the continent, and ensuring resilience in the transport network. The A75’s role as a strategic link between England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland is seen as vital to achieving inclusive economic growth.
Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (2022)
STPR2 guides transport investment in Scotland to support the goals of the National Transport Strategy 2 (NTS2). It considers the transport needs of communities across all modes -active travel, bus, rail, road, and ferry - for both personal and commercial use. STPR2 is driven by five key objectives: taking climate action, addressing inequalities and improving accessibility, enhancing health and wellbeing, supporting sustainable economic growth and increasing safety and resilience.
Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 (2021)
Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 outlines bold and forward-looking objectives aimed at eliminating road deaths and serious injuries by 2050. To support this vision, the framework identifies five strategic outcomes that define the desired road safety environment. These outcomes are aligned with the five pillars of the Safe System approach: safe road use, safe vehicles, safe speeds, safe roads and roadsides, and effective post-crash response.
Reducing Car Use for a Healthier, Fairer and Greener Scotland (2022)
In January 2022, the Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) introduced a route map to support a 20% reduction in car kilometres, aiming to tackle climate change and promote a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous Scotland. This was detailed in Reducing car use for a healthier, fairer and greener Scotland . The route map was created to support the target of a 20% reduction in car kilometres committed to in the CCPU as a means to help achieve the overall target of achieving net zero emissions by 2045. It notes that a uniform 20% kilometre reduction will not be stipulated in all geographical areas.
This plan emphasizes collaboration across all levels of government and sectors and aligns with STPR2 recommendations for future transport investment. The route map envisions a transformative shift in how people live and travel—encouraging localism, safer streets for walking and cycling, improved access to public and shared transport for longer journeys, and increased use of digital services. Projects will need to consider how to promote alternative transport modes between local villages, showcasing the benefits of reduced car dependency.
Regional Transport and Planning Strategies
SWestrans Regional Transport Strategy 2023-42 (2023)
The SWestrans RTS, published in 2023, is the long-term transport strategy for the south-west of Scotland, developed under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005. It focuses on addressing transport challenges in Dumfries and Galloway over the next 20 years. A key focus is the A75, which is vital for freight movement to the Stranraer ports, with an estimated £20 million in goods transported west of Dumfries daily.
The strategy highlights the negative impacts of traffic on communities like Crocketford and Springholm, and includes Priority 18, which proposes investigating the feasibility of bypasses for these villages. Another major theme is ensuring safe and resilient access to Cairnryan, with Priority 57 calling for improvements to the strategic road network - including the A75 - to enhance safety, journey times, diversion routes, and regional connectivity.
South of Scotland Indicative Regional Spatial Strategy (2021)
Of the several actions detailed throughout the South of Scotland Indicative Regional Spatial Strategy , a key aim for transport and infrastructure is ‘to develop strategic transport and active travel linkages by focussing on strategic travel corridors and sustainable travel hubs’. This is key not only for improving links to and from port destinations but also to improve accessibility between communities, journey quality and provides opportunities to encourage active travel networks.
Dumfries and Galloway Active Travel Strategy 2 (2022-2032)
The Active Travel Strategy 2022 to 2032 (ATS2) outlines a 10-year plan to enhance both the infrastructure and culture of active travel - such as walking, wheeling, and cycling - across Dumfries and Galloway. Accompanied by a Delivery Plan, the strategy aims to better integrate active travel with public transport and improve road infrastructure.
It sets out ten strategic objectives, including, amongst others, enhancing safety on streets and in public spaces, encouraging short trips by walking or cycling and strengthening urban-rural connections.
Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 2 (2019)
Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) provides the planning framework for land use and development across villages, towns, and rural areas in Dumfries and Galloway. It promotes sustainable development through key principles such as avoiding flood-prone and high-quality agricultural land, reusing brownfield sites, maximizing existing infrastructure (including public transport), and encouraging mixed communities. Two policies particularly relevant to transport and accessibility are Policy T1 Transport Infrastructure and Policy T2 Location of Development/Accessibility.
Within the LDP2, the Spatial Strategy aims to ensure development occurs in the right places to meet community needs. In addition, in line with transport goals, LDP2 supports STPR (2008–2032) Intervention 11, which focuses on improving links between the A75 and Loch Ryan port facilities to enhance journey time reliability and access to Cairnryan.
Additionally, work is underway on Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3). An Evidence Report was reviewed by the Scottish Government in December 2024, with feedback returned in April 2025. The proposed LDP3 is expected to be submitted in 2027 and adopted later that year.