Description of local environment

Air Quality

The scheme is located along the southbound side of the M74 carriageway at Junction 11. The surrounding area is characterised as rural, mainly surrounded by areas of agricultural land with small areas of residential, commercial and managed woodland.

There are three residential properties within 200m of the works, with the closest property (Nether Fauldhouse) located approximately 50m west of the works.

Baseline air quality is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the M74 carriageway. The Average Annual Daily Flow (AADF) in 2024 for the main M74 carriageway just south of the scheme extents (site no. 80203), accounted for 31,084 vehicles, with an average of 22% Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV).

According to the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) there are no registered sites for air pollutant releases located within 1km of the works. There are also no air quality monitoring sites located within 200m of the works. 

South Lanarkshire Council have declared two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA), however, none are located within the scheme extents.

No other sensitive receptors have been identified within 300m of the works.

Cultural Heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. No designated features of cultural or historical significance were identified within the scheme footprint or within the 300m of the works.

The following non-designated features of cultural heritage have been identified within 200m of the works:

  • Archaeological Evaluation: Poniel South, South Lanarkshire (Ref- 5441) Historic Environment Record (HER) which is located approximately 110m southwest of the works.
  • Nether Fauldhouse Farm (Ref- 41255/ 180204) a HER/ National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) located approximately 60m east of the works.
  • Cairnhouses (Ref- 41254/ 180205) a HER/NRHE located approximately 20m west of the works.
  • Archaeological Assessment: Birkhill, Coalburn, South Lanarkshire (Ref- 3749) a HER located approximately 20m west of the works at its closest point.
  • Walkover Survey On Broken Cross Muir (Ref- 191) a HER located approximately 40m east of the works at its closest point.

Landscape and Visual Effects

The surrounding area is characterised as rural, mainly surrounded by areas of agricultural land with small areas of residential, commercial and managed woodland. The carriageway being in a cutting and the strips of woodland lining the carriageway provide screening to the surrounding residential properties.

The Scottish Landscape Character Assessment map has identified the land character type as Plateau Farmland - Glasgow & Clyde Valley. The key characteristics of this landscape consist of the following:

  • Extensive, open, flat or gently undulating landform.
  • Dominance of pastoral farming, but with some mosses surviving.
  • Limited and declining tree cover.
  • Visually prominent settlements and activities such as mineral working.
  • Rural character of the Plateau Farmland has reduced as tree cover has declined and the visual influence of settlements, transport infrastructure and mineral working has increased.

A desktop study using NatureScot Sitelink and PastMap online interactive map has not highlighted any areas designated for landscape character within 300m of the works.

There are no Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) within the scheme extents or within 500m of the works.

Visual receptors of the works include transient users of the M74 carriageway.

Biodiversity

A desktop study has been undertaken using SiteLink and has identified the Coalburn Moss Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The SAC is located approximately 400m west of the works at its closest point. Due to the works taking place within 2km of this SAC, a Habitats Regulations Appraisal (HRA) has been undertaken.

The Coalburn Moss Site is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Amey’s Environmental Database has not identified any Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the works.

Scotland’s Environment Map has not identified any Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland (AWIS) within the scheme extents; however, an area of ancient woodland (Site-14, Wood ID-31318,) is located approximately 60m south of the works.

Scotland’s Environment Map has not identified any Local or National Nature Reserves within 200m of the scheme.

An ecological field survey was undertaken by two Amey Ecologists on the 9th of April 2026.

Geology and Soils

The National Soil Map of Scotland has identified the local soil type as brown soils.

A desktop study using NatureScot’s Sitelink has not identified any geological sensitive sites within 1km of the scheme extents.

A desktop study using the British Geological Survey Map identifies the local geology types as the following:

  • Bedrock geology: Passage Formation-Sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan Group type. These sedimentary rocks are fluvial, palustrine and shallow-marine in origin. They are detrital, forming deposits reflecting the channels, floodplains and deltas of a river in a coastal setting (with periodic inundation from the sea).
  • Superficial deposits: Till, Devensian-Diamicton. These sedimentary deposits are glacigenic in origin. They are detrital, created by the action of ice and meltwater, they can form a wide range of deposits and geomorphologies associated with glacial and inter-glacial periods during the Quaternary.

There are no landfill sites within 2km of the scheme extents.

Material Assets and Waste

Materials

Materials required are as follows:

  • Bituminous surfacing materials (TS2010, EME2 binder/base);
  • Thermoplastic road markings;
  • Concrete;
  • Paint;
  • Iron milled in road stud shoes, thermoplastic reflective inserts;
  • Lubricant;
  • Vehicle fuel;
  • Oil;
  • Kerbing;
  • BEJ material;
  • Metal joint;
  • 225mm diameter PVC pipe;
  • Metals;
  • Type B filter material;
  • Soil/top soil (where required); and
  • Nosing mortar.

A proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) will be incorporated into asphalt production, with typical values of 10%–15% used in base and binder courses and up to 10% in the surface course. The use of TS2010 surface course allows a broader range of aggregate sources to be utilised compared to traditional stone mastic asphalt (SMA), thereby reducing reliance on imported aggregates and increasing the use of more sustainable materials. New metal components will include a proportion of recycled content, subject to supplier specifications, and a concrete mix incorporating cement replacement products is also proposed.

Where feasible, road studs will be sourced from recycled materials, while road paint will be obtained from primary sources. Filter stone will include recycled content from previous schemes, and any excavated material will be reused as backfill wherever possible to minimise waste.

Wastes

The waste produced by the scheme will consist of:

  • Road planings;
  • Road studs;
  • Road kerbs;
  • Silted type 8 filter materials;
  • Soil and detritus; and
  • Potential damaged pipework.

On-site investigations of the carriageway (including coring and testing) have not yet been undertaken and therefore the presence of coal tar within the carriageway surface is unknown.

All waste will be managed in accordance with the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations 2018, 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.

Noise and Vibration

For baseline data on the scheme’s immediate surroundings and wider context, please refer to ‘Air Quality.

There are eight residential properties within 300m of the works, with the closest property (Nether Fauldhouse) located approximately 50m west of the works.

Baseline noise levels are mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the M74 carriageway with surrounding agricultural activities as a secondary source. The Average Annual Daily Flow (AADF) in 2024 for the main M74 carriageway just south of the scheme extents (site no. 80203), accounted for 31,084 vehicles, with an average of 22% Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV).

According to Scotland Noise Map, existing noise levels within the scheme extents range from approximately 70dB to 75dB (Lnight) at night. At the nearest identified receptor, baseline noise is recorded at around 55 to 60dB at night, providing a representative indication of current acoustic conditions in the area. 

No other Noise Sensitive Receptors (NSRs) are located within 300m of the works.

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transportation Noise Action Plan, Road Maps.

Population and Human Health

A study area of 300m was used due to the like-for-like nature of the works, and their containment within the M74 carriageway boundary.

There are eight residential properties within 300m of the works, with the closest property (Nether Fauldhouse) located approximately 50m west of the works.

There are no community facilities or businesses within 300m of the works.

There are no Walkers, Cyclists, and Horse-Riders (WCH) provisions within the scheme extents or within 500m that will be impacted by the works.

There are no bus stops or laybys within the scheme extents and no access to agricultural fields or residential properties.

There is no streetlighting within the scheme extents.

Road Drainage and the Water Environment

A desktop study using the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub has identified the Poniel Water, a watercourse (ID: 10097) which is culverted beneath the M74 carriageway within the scheme extents. SEPA has classified this watercourse as having an overall status of ‘Moderate Ecological Potential’.

Alder Burn, a 6m wide watercourse identified at NS 84568 35035. This burn is also culverted under the M74 within the scheme extents and flows into the Douglas Water, classified as ‘moderate’ condition by SEPA.

Another unnamed watercourse was identified at NS 84139 36230. This small watercourse, around 2m wide, culverts under the M74 within the scheme extents.

The SEPA Water Classification Map notes the groundwater in the area (ID: 150545, Douglas Coalfield North) is considered to be in ‘poor’ condition.

Road drainage along the scheme extents is in the form of filter stones.

The scheme is not located within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

SEPA’s Flood Map has identified multiple areas along the M74 carriageway within the scheme extents at High risk (10% annually) of surface water flooding.

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.

The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act).The budgets are as follows:

  • 2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 50% lower than baseline.
  • 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 60% lower than baseline.
  • 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
  • 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.

These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.

Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, representing for 37% nationwide, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 50% by 2030. To support this, Transport Scotland’s Fourth Carbon Management Plan is committed to reaching Net Zero emissions across corporate activities by 2027. This will contribute to achieving a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.

Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040.

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the South West Network Management Contract (SW NMC) network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the SWNMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.