Description of Local Environment

Air Quality

The scheme is located along the M8 in the east of Glasgow. This location is characterised by its dense residential setting with over 100 residential properties located within 200m of the works. Further non-residential air quality receptors within 200m of the works include the following:

Cranhill community gardens located approx. 110m south.
Cranhill Development Trust community centre located approx. 165m south.
Croftcroighn Park located approx. 60m north.

Glasgow City Council have declared three Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA), however none are located within 200m of the scheme extents. There are no air quality monitoring stations located within 200m of the works.

Baseline air quality is likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic along the M8 carriageway. According to data from the nearest manual count point (1000) the Annual Average Daily Flow of Traffic (AADF) in 2024 for all motor vehicles along the M8 was 79,900 with 4,893 of those being Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs).

A review of the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) confirms that no registered pollutant-emitting facilities are located within a 1km radius of the scheme extents.

Cultural Heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. The study area included a 300m buffer for designated cultural heritage assets; none were identified within this area. This refers to designations including World Heritage Sites, Scheduled Monuments, Battlefields and Listed Buildings.

Approximately 30 non-designated cultural heritage assets are located within 200m of the scheme extents. Please refer to Table 1 below for a full list off assets within the scheme extents.

Table 1: Non-Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 300m
Name	Reference Number	Description	Distance from Scheme
Monkland Canal, Queenslie Bridge, Glasgow	Ref: 171662, Ref: 46616	Canmore and Historic Environmental record (HER)	Within the scheme extents
M8, Monklands Motorway, Garthamlock, Auchinlea Park Footbridge	Ref: 184742, Ref: 48015	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents
M8, Monklands Motorway, Section Between Junction 11 And Auchinlea Park Footbridge	Ref: 184740, Ref: 184741	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents
Monkland Canal, Glasgow	Ref: 171663, Ref: 46615	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents
Glasgow, Monkland Canal, Pipe Line	Ref: 197810, Ref: 47898	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents
Monkland Canal, Milncroft Bridge, Glasgow	Ref: 171643, Ref: 47449	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents
Monkland Canal, Gartcraig Bridge, Glasgow	Ref: 197801, Ref: 197801	Canmore and HER	Within the scheme extents

Landscape and Visual Effects

Landscape

The scheme is located along the M8 within an area predominantly characterised by industrial land use, with some residential properties situated adjacent to the carriageway.

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 Motorway and Major Roads, Managed Woodland Industrial or Commercial Area and Recreation Area.

Visual

The predominant views from the scheme are characterised by vegetation lining both sides of the road. As a result, visibility of the proposed works will generally be limited. The most noticeable views are likely to occur from the adjacent high-rise residential blocks, where upper-floor occupants may experience partial or elevated views of the works.

In addition to these residential receptors, transient receptors such as road users will experience intermittent and short-duration views as they travel along the route. These views will typically be filtered by existing vegetation and roadside features, reducing the overall visual impact.

Biodiversity

Protected areas

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 any local designations such as Local Nature Reserves within 1km of the scheme extents.

Invasive plants

The NBN Atlas has highlighted the following Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) within 500m of the works:

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum)
Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Ameys Southwest database highlights Giant Hogweed at NGR: NS 65956 66112 and Japanese Knotweed at NGR: NS 65082 66069 along the verge of the M8 within the scheme extents.

A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool has highlighted the target species Rosebay Willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), Common Ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), Creeping Thistle (Cirsium arvense) and Japanese Knotweed along the verge.

Field Survey

Due to the scope of works including verge works involving filter stone replacement and verge clearance, two competent ecologists have undertaken a Preliminary Ecological Walkover (PEW) prior to construction.

Geology and Soils

Geology

SiteLink notes there are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), or geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of scheme extents.

Bedrock geology comprises (The British Geology Viewer):

Western Midland Valley Westphalian to Early Permian Sills - Olivine-microgabbro. Igneous bedrock formed between 319 and 272.3 million years ago during the Carboniferous and Permian periods.
Scottish Middle Coal Measures Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, coal measure type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 318 and 315.2 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.

Superficial deposits consists (The British Geology Viewer) of:

Lacustrine Deposits - Silt and clay. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.

Soils

Scotland’s Soil Map does not highlight any soil data within the scheme extents due to the urban nature of the works location.

All works are contained to the engineered layers of the existing carriageway, resulting in limited potential for disturbance to geology and soils. As such, geology and soils has been scoped out of requiring further assessment in line with DMRB Guidance document LA 109: Geology and Soils.

Material Assets and Waste

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 with the remaining requirement sourced from primary materials.

Waste arising from construction

Old traffic sign faces and posts
Old filter drain material
Asphalt planings

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.

It is Amey policy to reuse or recycle as much waste material as possible.

Following on-site coring investigations and testing, no coal-tar was identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent. 

As the works are classified as two separate schemes, and the combined value of each scheme does not exceed £350,000, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is not required.

Noise and Vibration

The scheme is located along the M8 in the east of Glasgow, where baseline levels are primarily influenced by traffic from the M8. For AADF details, please refer to the Air Quality section above.

Scotland Noise Map notes that the noise within the scheme extents ranges from between 67dB and 80dB LDAY during daytime hours and 60dB and 70dB LNGT during night-time hours. The noise data from the closest receptor during daytime hours is 61dB LDAY and 55dB LNGT during nighttime hours.

There are over 200 residential properties located within 300m of the works. Further non-residential noise receptors within 300m of the works include the following:

Cranhill community gardens located approx. 110m south
Cranhill Development Trust community centre located approx. 165m south.
Croftcroighn Park located approx. 60m north.
Elmcroft Nursery School located approx. 205m north.
Quarriers Ruchazie Nursery is located approx. 283m north.

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).

Population and Human Health

The scheme is located along the M8 in the east of Glasgow. This location is characterised by its dense residential setting with over 200 residential properties located within 300m of the works. Further community facilities within 300m of the works include:

Cranhill community gardens located approx. 110m south
Glasgow Fort Shopping Centre located approx. 100m north.
Cranhill Development Trust community centre located approx. 165m south.
Croftcroighn Park located approx. 60m north.
Elmcroft Nursery School located approx. 205m north.
Quarriers Ruchazie Nursery is located approx. 283m north.

According to Core path Scotland, there are several core paths located within 300m of the scheme extents, however core path C73A runs over the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents. There are no National Cycle Routes or bridleways located within 300m of 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

Surface water

According to Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub there are no designated watercourses located within 500m of the scheme extents. Hogganfield Loch is located approx. 870m north from the works.

Surface water drainage along the M8 is controlled via roadside gullies located on both sides of the carriageway.

Groundwater

The underlying groundwater body is identified as Glasgow and Motherwell groundwater (ID: 150677), which is classified as having ‘poor’ overall ecological potential.

The scheme area is not located within a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone .

Flood risk

SEPAs Flood Maps has highlighted a high likelihood of surface water flooding along the M8 along the scheme extents. This suggests that each year this area has a 10% chance of flooding.

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

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, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to 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 SW NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.

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.

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