Assessments of the environmental effects

The M8 Claylands to Hermiston Hard Shoulder Eastbound scheme lies within the buffer zone of qualifying species of the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site, the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA and the Westwater SPA and Ramsar Site. A HRA has concluded that the works will not result in LSE on any of the qualifying species of the European Sites, and as such an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is not required.

As detailed in the Description of Main Environmental Impacts and Proposed Mitigation section, there are no significant effects anticipated on any environmental receptors as a result of the proposed works.