Description of local environment

Air quality

For properties within 300m of the scheme refer to “Population and Human Health.

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping tool shows air quality in the wider bandings to be within the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme is located within the City of Edinburgh and West Lothian Council boundaries, which report five active and no active Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within their administrative boundaries respectively. The closest active AQMA is the “Glasgow Road 2013” AQMA, which is located approximately 1.5km north of the scheme extents, and has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There are 11 sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for air pollutant releases within 10km of the scheme extents in the last 10 years. Their details are as follows:

  • “Clifton Poultry Farm, Clifton Road, Newbridge” - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia – located approximately 475m south of the scheme extents.
  • “Hillwood Quarry, Ratho, Midlothian” – Mineral industry – declared for carbon dioxide and particulate matter <10 microns in diameter (PM10) – located approximately 700m northeast of the scheme extents.
  • “Clapperton Poultry Complex, Broxburn, West Lothian” - intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia, PM10, and total particulate matter – located approximately 1.55km southwest of the scheme extents.
  • “Gogarbank Poultry, Corstorphine, Edinburgh” - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia and PM10 – located approximately 5.3km east of the scheme extents.
  • “Ravelrig Quarry Kirknewton, Midlothian” – Mineral industry – declared for PM10 and PM5 – located approximately 4.3km south of the scheme extents.
  • “Kaimes Quarry Landfill Site, Kirknewton” – Waste and waste-water management – declared for methane – located approximately 4.8km south of the scheme extents.
  • “Dalmeny Hound Point, South Queensferry” – Energy sector – declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NVMOCs) – located approximately 5.8km northeast of the scheme extents.
  • “Balerno Poultry Farm, Lanark Road West, Balerno” - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia – located approximately 5.75km south of the scheme extents.
  • “Wyman Gordon Ltd, Livingston” – Production and processing of metals – declared for carbon dioxide – located approximately 4.35km west of the scheme extents.
  • “API Foils, Houston Industrial Estate, Livingston” – Other activities – declared for NVMOCs and toluene – located approximately 4.65km west of the scheme extents.
  • “Shin-Etsu Handotai, Wilson Road, Livingston” – Chemical industry – declared for ammonia (t) – located approx. 8.55km southwest of the scheme extents.

Baseline air quality within the scheme extents is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the M8 carriageway. Secondary sources are most commonly derived from motor vehicles travelling along local network roads, and day-to-day agricultural and land management activities

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools record five designated cultural heritage assets within 300m of the scheme extents.

There is one scheduled monument within 300m of the scheme extents. The “Union Canal, Fountainbridge to River Almond” scheduled monument (ID: SM11097) is located approximately 55m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.

There are four listed buildings within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of these is the “Clifton Hall Policies, East Lodge” Category B listed building (ID: LB26903), which lies approximately 15m south of the scheme extents. The next closest listed building lies approximately 100m north of the scheme extents.

Of lesser concern, there are numerous undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) within 300m of the scheme extents, six of which lie within the scheme extents. Their details are as follows:

  • “Birdsmill Motorway Bridge” Historic Environment Record (HER) site (ID: MED16751) and National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) site (ID: 279588).
  • “Birdsmill Railway Bridge” HER site (ID: 18514) and NRHE site (ID: 94461).
  • “Archaeological Watching Brief, Monitored Topsoil Removal and Excavation: Broxburn to Humbie Farm Gas Pipeline Reinforcement” HER site (ID: 4020).
  • “Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Walkover Survey, Broxburn to Humbie Farm Gas Pipeline Reinforcement, Broxburn, West Lothian” HER site (ID: 3784).

Construction of the M8 is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the trunk road boundary. The potential for the presence of unknown archaeological remains in the study area has therefore been assessed to be low.

Given that the works will be restricted to the existing M8 carriageway boundary, the potential for impacts to cultural heritage are deemed to be low. As such cultural heritage has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

Landscape and visual effects

The scheme is not located within a National Park (NP) or National Scenic Area (NSA) (SiteLink).

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the scheme extents is categorised as “Lowland Plain” (LCT 274) throughout most of the scheme extents, with a section of the scheme extents classified as “Lowland River Corridors – Lothians” (LCT 271) (Landscape Character Type Map).

The key characteristics of “Lowland Plain” are:

  • Smoothly rolling, large scale agricultural plain with local interruptions of volcanic hills forming visual foci.
  • Rivers cut through the farmland in incised valleys.
  • High quality agricultural land with a predominantly rural character, divided into a strong pattern of large arable fields by fences, hedges, occasional walls and a network of shelterbelts.
  • Policy woodlands and shelterbelts associated with designed landscapes, mansions, gatehouses and boundary walls contributing to character.
  • Numerous villages and hamlets, including industrial settlements.
  • Substantial but localised urban fringe influence around Edinburgh Airport, motorways and settlement expansion.
  • Gentle sinuous sweep of the Union Canal as it leaves Edinburgh and heads north-west.
  • Industrial heritage legacy, with prominent quarrying, landfill and shale bing impacts.
  • Important setting for western Edinburgh.

The key characteristics of “Lowland River Corridors – Lothians” are:

  • Predominantly deeply incised, narrow, meandering, distinctive, intimate river valleys formed by the rise and fall of sea levels since the end of the Ice Age.
  • Changing to more open, shallower and less well-defined corridors towards the upstream and downstream ends of the river corridors.
  • Densely wooded, enclosed steep-sided valley with mainly semi-natural broadleaf woodland.
  • The gorge-like valleys are sparsely settled, with isolated steadings amongst pastoral farmland on the higher, shallower slopes.
  • Significant recreational value due to public access.
  • Outstanding landscape features including aqueducts and viaducts.
  • Other features of interest in the landscape include rapids, weirs, waterfalls and mills.

The Historic Land-use Assessment (HLA) classifies the land-use within 300m of the scheme extents as:

  • Motorway and Major Roads.
  • Industrial or Commercial Area.
  • Rectilinear Fields and Farms.
  • Cultivated Former Parkland.
  • Designed Landscape.
  • Managed Woodland.

The “National Scale Land Capability for Agriculture” map classified the land surrounding the scheme extents as:

  • Class 2 - Land capable of producing a wide range of crops.
  • Class 1 - Land capable of producing a very wide range of crops.

There are four areas of ancient woodland located within 300m of the scheme extents (Ancient Woodland Inventory). Their details are as follows:

  • A 1.32ha area (ID: 34,346) of “Other” antiquity ancient woodland, meaning woodland first recorded on the “Roy map”. It is spanned by the M8 within the scheme extents.
  • A 3.1ha area (ID: 34,347) of ancient woodland of semi-natural origin which has been continuously wooded since at least 1750 (ASNO1750). It is spanned by the M8 within the scheme extents.
  • A 4.68ha area (ID: 34,348) of long-established (of plantation origin) woodland which has been continuously wooded since at least 1860 (LEPO1860). It is spanned by the M8 within the scheme extents.
  • A 5.65ha area (ID: 34,341) of ASNO1860 woodland. It is located approximately 185m north of the scheme extents at its closest point.

Areas 34,346, 34,347, and 34,348 are all continuous with one another.

There are six areas of woodland recorded on the Native Woodland Survey within 300m of the scheme extents. Their details are as follows:

  • A 4.13ha area of nearly-native lowland mixed deciduous woodland. It is mixed maturity and located adjacent to the south of the scheme extents.
  • A 1.07ha area of plantation of ancient woodland site (PAWS). It is mixed maturity and located approximately 15m north of the scheme extents.
  • A 1.58ha area of native lowland mixed deciduous woodland. It is mixed maturity and located approximately 15m north of the scheme extents.
  • A 2.33ha area of nearly-native lowland mixed deciduous woodland. It is mixed maturity and located approximately 30m south of the scheme extents.
  • A 0.52ha area of native lowland mixed deciduous woodland. It is mixed maturity and located approximately 85m north of the scheme extents.
  • A 0.95ha area of native lowland mixed deciduous woodland. It is mixed maturity and located approximately 290m south of the scheme extents.

The two areas of nearly-native woodland overlap significantly with areas 34,347 and 34,348 of ancient woodland listed above, and the PAWS woodland and 1.58ha area of native woodland overlap significantly with areas 34,346 and 34,347 of ancient woodland.

Other than the areas mentioned above, there are primarily broadleaved shelterbelts adjacent to the M8 carriageway at the east side of the scheme extents. Additionally, all of the classified areas mentioned above are continuous with other areas of unclassified woodland.

There are no areas of woodland covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents (TPO Map).

The existing trunk road is a prominent linear landscape feature. The trunk road corridor, for example, has a distinct character shaped by fast-flowing traffic, road markings, safety barriers, signage, landscaping, etc. The scale of the trunk road detracts from the quality and character of the wider landscape.

Biodiversity

There are no European Sites designated for nature conservation i.e. Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), or Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), located within 2km of the scheme extents. However, the scheme has hydrological connectivity with the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site which lies approximately 14km downstream of the scheme extents via the River Almond. Additionally, the scheme lies within buffer zones for the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site, Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA, and Westwater SPA and Ramsar site.

There are no Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of, or which share connectivity to the scheme.

The Firth of Forth SPA and Westwater SPA both have associated SSSIs. Their details are as follows:

The Firth of Forth SSSI is located approximately 7.1km north of the scheme extents at its closest point. The scheme also has hydrological connectivity with the Firth of Forth SSSI via the River Almond.

The Westwater Reservoir SSSI lies approximately 18.2km south of the scheme extent.

There are four Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCSs) within 300m of the scheme extents. They are:

  • “River Almond - Lin's Mill to Newbridge” passes below the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents.
  • “Union Canal - Wilkie's Basin to Ratho” is located approximately 30m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “Union Canal - Lin's Mill to Wilkie's Basin” is located approximately 55m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “Union Canal - Broxburn to Lin's Mill” is located approximately 280m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.

The NBN atlas also holds records of numerous bird species within 2km over a ten-year period. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) (WCA), all wild birds and their active nests are protected.

The NBN atlas holds the following records of invasive and injurious plants (as listed in the Network Management Contract):

Two injurious weeds:

  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris)
  • Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare).

No instances of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) or invasive native perennials.

The sole record is located approximately 1.76km northwest of the scheme extents.

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records the following instances of invasive or injurious plant species as listed within the NMC:

One injurious weed:

  • One instance of spear thistle.

One invasive native perennial:

  • Five instances of rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

No instances of INNS are recorded within the scheme extents.

The habitat immediately bordering the M8 within the scheme extents consists primarily of agricultural fields, the riparian area of the River Almond, and areas of primarily broadleaved treelines. While there is high availability of roadside vegetation, habitat immediately bordering the trunk road is assessed to be of reduced ecological value, due to the high likelihood of disturbances from moderate volume, fast-flowing traffic and that the M8 carriageway which also limits the connectivity and continuity for species between their potential habitats on either side of the road.

Geology and soils

There are no geological SSSIs or Geological Conservation Review Sites within 300m of the scheme extents (SiteLink). Additionally, there are no Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 300m of the scheme extents. 

The generalised soil type and major soil group within the scheme extents is primarily “Brown soils” with a small area at the far western side of the scheme with a major soil group of “Gleys” and generalised soil type of “Mineral gleys” (Scotland’s Soils).

Bedrock geology within the scheme extents is classified as “Calders Member-Sedimentary rock cycles, Strathclyde Group type” with superficial deposits of:

  • Till, Devensian-Diamicton
  • Glaciofluvial ice contact deposits-Gravel, sand and silt
  • Alluvium-Clay, silt, sand and gravel.

(British Geology Viewer).

There is no evidence of historical industrial processes or the storage of hazardous materials that could have given rise to significant land contamination.

Given the restriction of the works to the M8 carriageway boundary, and the lack of any excavation works, local geology and soils are unlikely to be affected by the proposed works. Therefore, “Geology and Soils” has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are required to repair defects identified in a visual survey. Materials used will consist of:

  • TS2010 10mm Site Class 1.
  • AC20mm Binder.
  • Thermoplastic Road Markings.
  • Embedded Road Studs.
  • Traffic Loops.

The value of the scheme is greater than £350,000 and as such, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required.

The 2220m scheme involves the removal of surface and localised areas of binder course. In total, approximately 2020 tonnes of bituminous material will be removed from site, of which 102 tonnes is classified as hazardous material containing coal tar. The coal tar bound planings will be removed from site and used within a separate BEAR Scotland scheme.

Noise and vibration

The works do not fall within a candidate quiet area (CQA).

The night-time noise levels (Lnight) modelled within the scheme extents ranges between 70 and 80 decibels (dB), decreasing to between 60 and 70 dB at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (community) (Noise Map Viewer).

Baseline noise and vibration in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles traveling along the M8 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along nearby local network roads and day-to-day agricultural activities.

Population and human health

A small number of residential and commercial receptors, and one community receptor are found within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of these is an outbuilding of “Clifton Hall High School” which lies approximately 15m south of the scheme extents. It is well screened from the scheme extents by a dense treeline. The closest residential receptor lies approximately 120m north of the scheme extents and is well screened from the scheme extents by the roadside embankment and topography of the surrounding fields.

There are no local access roads, laybys, or footpaths within the scheme extents.

Street lighting is present at the easternmost side of the scheme until the end of the Junction 2 WB onslip.

There is one core path within 300m of the scheme extents. Core Path “CEC 11 River Almond” is located approximately 60m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.

The scheme extents are located on the M8 WB carriageway which is a motorway with the national speed limit applying throughout. The average daily traffic (ADT) is moderate (17,619 motor vehicles (ID: CTCPF010W, 2026 data)) (Drakewell Data).

Road drainage and the water environment

There are two SEPA classified surface waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • “River Almond (Breich Water confluence to Maitland Bridge)” (ID: 3001) is a river in the River Almond catchment area. It passes below the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents and has a main stem approximately 17.5km in length. It was classified as having an overall status of “Poor” by SEPA in 2024.
  • “Union canal (Craigton to Murray Burn)” is a river in the River Almond catchment area. It passes approximately 65m south of the scheme extents at its closest point and has a main stem approximately 19.8km in length. It was classified as having an overall status of “Good ecological potential” by SEPA in 2024.

There are approximately six unclassified waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents. Their details are as follows:

  • “Drain 1”, a drainage waterbody which is located approximately 50m north of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “WB1”, a small waterbody located approximately 90m south of the scheme extents. It drains into the River Almond upstream of the scheme extents.
  • “Drain 2”, a drainage waterbody which is located approximately 120m south of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “Drain 3”, a drainage waterbody which is located approximately 175m north of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “Drain 4”, a drainage waterbody which is located approximately 180m north of the scheme extents at its closest point.
  • “Drain 5”, a drainage waterbody which is located approximately 235m north of the scheme extents at its closest point.

These waterbodies are too small (in terms of catchment area) to be classified as main stem waterbodies by SEPA under the water framework directive (WFD).

A search of the SEPA Flood Map online mapping tool shows that there are several areas of increased flood risk, primarily located at the western end of the scheme extents. These areas range from a low likelihood of flooding (0.1% chance each year) to a high likelihood of flooding (10% chance each year).

The scheme is located within the Livingston groundwater basin (ID: 150711). It was classified as having a “Poor” overall status in 2024 by SEPA. It is a Drinking Water Protected Area (DWPA) (SEPA).

A search of the Scotland's Environment (SE) determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, does not lie within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Climate

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (‘The Act’), and its subsequent amendment under the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019, sets the framework for the Scottish Government to address climate change. The Act has an ambitious target to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with any residual emissions balanced by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is five years earlier than the rest of the UK due to the greater potential for carbon sequestration in Scotland. 

The Act was amended to replace interim targets with carbon budgets. Carbon budgets are legally binding caps on greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland over five-year periods. In line with the Act, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) published advice on the level of Scotland’s four carbon budgets, covering the period 2026 to 2045, recommending what the Scottish Government sets its carbon budgets at for annual average levels of emissions. These recommendations are based on an ambitious but credible route to Net Zero for Scotland by 2045. 

Emissions reductions from surface transport are the largest contribution to meeting the first two carbon budgets. The pathway for surface transport emission reduction is primarily driven by the uptake of electric vehicles, in addition to measures to enable a shift from car use to public transport and active travel, which all play a role in reducing emissions from fossil fuel cars. Ensuring efficiency of existing transport infrastructure and improving/providing new active travel facilities is therefore important to support these carbon reduction budgets. 

Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to the above noted legally binding target of net-zero by 2045. Transport Scotland is committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network and this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport (Mission Zero for transport | Transport Scotland).