Description of Local Environment
Air Quality
The scheme is located along the M8 in Glasgow City centre surrounded by industrial parks and residential properties. There are over 100 residential properties located within 200m of the works, the closest one being approx. 90m north located along Cuddies Walk. The non-residential air quality receptors located within 200m of the works include:
- Power League Glasgow Sports Complex located approx. 30m west from the carriageway.
- St Mungo's RC Church located approx. 109m southwest from the carriageway.
- St Mungo's Nursery Class located approx. 88m southwest from the carriageway.
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary located approx. 170m east from the works.
The scheme is located within the Glasgow City Centre Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) which has declared pollutants such as Particulate Matter PM10, and Nitrogen dioxide NO2.
Baseline air quality is likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic along the M8 carriageway. The closest manual count point along the M8 (30812) records that the Annual Average Daily Flow of Traffic (AADF) in 2024 for all motor vehicles along the M8 was 155,367 with 7,025 of those being Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs).
The Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) has identified the following SPRI’s within 1km of the scheme:
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary located approx. 170m east from the works.
- Wellpark Brewery located approx. 900m southeast from the works.
Cultural Heritage
A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap applying a 300m study area to identify designated cultural heritage assets. These are presented in Table 1 below. Within 200m of the proposed works, numerous non-designated cultural heritage assets have also been identified. However, only those located within the scheme extents are detailed in Table 2.
| Name | Reference number | Description | Distance from scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 Parson Street, St Mungo's Retreat with Retaining Walls, Piers, Gates and Railings | Ref: LB32813 | Listed Building | Approx 95m southwest |
| 60 Parson Street, St Mungo's Church | Ref: LB32814 | Listed Building | Approx 110m southwest |
| 17 Parson Street, Martyr's School with Retaining Walls and Gates | Ref: LB32619 | Listed Building | Approx 112m southwest |
| 82-92 (Even Nos) Castle Street, Royal Infirmary, Including Clock Tower Building and Archway, Gates and Railings | Ref: LB32650 | Listed Building | Approx 118m southeast |
| Glasgow Central Area | Not Applicable | Conservation Areas - Designated to protect the area's special architectural and historic character. | Approx 118m southeast |
| Glasgow, Remains of Bell's Pottery, Kyle Street | Ref: SM7353 | Scheduled Monuments - The monument comprises the remains of Bell's Pottery, also known as The Glasgow Pottery, which commenced production in the 1830's manufacturing simple fireclay products, and subsequently became one of Scotland's few producers of high-quality porcelain. | Approx. 20m south |
| Forth And Clyde Canal, Port Dundas Canal Basin, Glasgow | Ref: SM6689 | Scheduled Monument - The monument consists of a canal basin complex and a short stretch of canal, both now disused and cut off from the rest of the canal network. The canal basin, called Port Dundas, was opened in 1790 as an extension to the Glasgow Branch of the Forth and Clyde Canal. | Approx 90m north. |
| Name | Reference number | Description | Distance from scheme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glasgow, Martyr Street, Church | Ref: 381563 | Canmore | Within the scheme extents. |
| Glasgow, 311 Royston Road, St Roche'S Church | Ref: 45017 | Canmore | Within the scheme extents. |
| Glasgow, 76 Kennedy Street, St Rollox Flint Glass Works | Ref: 48026 | Historic Environmental Record (HER) | Within the scheme extents. |
| Archaeological Works: Remediation Works at Sighthill, Glasgow | Ref: 6133 | HER | Within the scheme extents. |
Landscape and Visual Effects
The scheme is situated along the M8 corridor in an area primarily defined by industrial land use, with a small number of residential properties located adjacent to the carriageway. The predominant views from the site are of vegetation lining both sides of the road. No residential properties will have direct visibility of the proposed works.
According to Scotland’s Environmental Web, there are no ancient woodlands or Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)’s located within 500m of the works. The scheme is not located within a National Park (NP) or National Scenic Area (NSA).
The Scottish Landscape Character Type (LCT) Assessment Map highlights the landscape within the scheme extents as Urban.
According to the Historic Landscape Assessment (HLA) Map the landscape surrounding the scheme extents is classified as comprising recreation areas, motorway and major roads and industrial or commercial areas.
Biodiversity
Sitelink does not highlight any European designated Sites designated for nature conservation i.e. Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), or Ramsar Sites located within 2km or share connectivity with the scheme extents. Sitelink has not identified the presence of national designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves) within 1km of the scheme extents.
The NBN atlas and Ameys SW database has not highlighted any Invasive-Non-Native Species (INNS) within the scheme extents, however from aerial images Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is located within the scheme extents at NGR: NS 59376 66356.
The following INNS have been identified within 500m of the scheme extents:
- Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
- Small-leaved cotoneaster (Cotoneaster microphyllus)
A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool has highlighted the target species Rosebay Willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) along the verge.
Due to the urban location and minor verge works Amey’s Principal Ecologist has ruled out the need for a Preliminary Ecological Walkover (PEW).
Geology and Soils
SiteLink notes there are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), or geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of scheme extents.
The British Geology Viewer notes the soil geology within the scheme extents consists of the following:
Superficial deposits
- Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.
Bedrock geology
- Upper Limestone Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 329 and 324 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.
- Limestone Coal Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 329 and 328 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.
Scotland’s Soil Map does not highlight any soil data within the scheme extents due to the urban nature of the works location.
Material Assets and Waste
Key materials required for activities
Site Construction
Material required
- TS2010 Surface Course
- AC20 Bituminous Binder
- AC32 Bituminous Base
- Vehicle fuel;
- Road marking materials and studs;
- Oil; and
- New sign posts
- New VRS
Origin/Content
TS2010 Surface Course allows a wider array of aggregate sources to be considered when compared to typical stone mastic asphalt (SMA). As a result, the use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate source.
A proportion of RAP is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% - 15% with up to 10% in surface course.
All of the materials listed will contain a % of recycled material. The rest will come from primary sources.
Key wastes arising from activities
Site Construction
Waste Arising
- Asphalt Planings
- Old signposts
- Old VRS terminals
Disposal/Regulation
Uncontaminated road planings arising from the works will be fully recycled under a SEPA Paragraph 13(a) Waste exemption in accordance with guidance on the Production for Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings.
From November 1st 2025 these exemptions will be phased out in favour of Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR). However, where planings meet SEPA’s criteria, they will be fully recycled.
Following on-site coring investigations and testing, no coal-tar was identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent.
As the scheme is greater than £350,000 a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required.
During coring investigations, no coal tar was identified.
Noise and Vibration
There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the works, the closest one being approx. 90m north located along Cuddies Walk. The non-residential noise sensitive receptors located within 300m of the works include:
- Power league Glasgow Sports Complex located approx. 30m west from the carriageway.
- St Mungo's RC Church located approx. 109m southwest from the carriageway.
- St Mungo's Nursery Class located approx. 88m southwest from the carriageway.
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary located approx. 170m east from the works
Baseline noise levels are primarily influenced by vehicle traffic along the M8 carriageway. The nearest manual count point (30812) indicates that the Annual Average Daily Flow of Traffic (AADF) in 2024 was 155,367 vehicles, including 7,025 Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs). The volume and composition of this traffic, particularly the presence of HGVs are key contributors to ambient noise levels within the scheme extents.
According to the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019-2023 and the Glasgow agglomeration: noise action plan, the scheme extents are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA).
Scotland Noise Map notes that the noise within the scheme extents ranges from between 72dB and 79dB LDAY during daytime hours and 67dB and 75dB LNGT during night-time hours.
Population and Human Health
According to Core Path Scotland Core path C52 is a footbridge that runs over the M8 within the scheme extents. There are no National Cycle Routes or bridleways located within the scheme extents.
While the M8 is well-served by public transport infrastructure, there are no bus stops located within the scheme extents. Street lighting is present throughout the scheme extents, supporting visibility and safety during evening hours. There are no designated laybys along this section of the road.
Road Drainage and the Water Environment
According to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub, the designated watercourse Molendinar Burn (ID: 10047) is located approx. 400m east of the proposed works. This watercourse is classified as having ‘moderate’ overall ecological potential.
According to SEPA Flood Maps, there is a high (10%) likelihood of surface water flooding near the start of the scheme extents.
The underlying groundwater body is identified as Glasgow and Motherwell groundwater (ID: 150677), which is classified as having ‘poor’ overall ecological potential.
Surface water runoff along the M8 is managed via roadside gullies positioned on either side of the carriageway. Additionally, the scheme area is not located within a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone , indicating a lower risk of nitrate-related water pollution.
Climate
Carbon Goals
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 57% lower than baseline.
- 2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 69% lower than baseline.
- 2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline.
- 2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.
Monitoring, Management and Opportunities
To support our journey towards carbon neutral and zero waste we include potential opportunities for enhancement utilising circular economy principals within assessment of material assets.
Amey (working on behalf of Transport Scotland) undertake carbon monitoring. Emissions from our activities are recorded using Transport Scotland’s Carbon Management System.
Further information identifying how Amey will obtain the above Carbon Goals can be viewed within the Carbon Management and Sustainability Plan Roadmap to net-zero: STRNMC – South West.
Policies and Plans
This Record of Determination (RoD) has been undertaken in accordance with Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (RSA EIA Regulations) along with Transport Scotland’s Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance (Guidance – Environmental Impact Assessments for road projects (transport.gov.scot)). Relevant guidance, policies and plans accompanied with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)) LA 101 and LA 104 were used to form this assessment.