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 records that air quality in the wider bandings are within the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme is located within the West Lothian Council boundary which reports no active Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within its administrative boundary. The closest AQMA, “Air Quality Management Area Glasgow Road 2013”, found within the City of Edinburgh Council boundary, is located approximately 2.92km northeast of the scheme extents and is declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂).

There are approximately twelve 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:

• “Clapperton Poultry Complex, Broxburn, West Lothian” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia, PM₁₀, and total particulate matter – located approximately 800m south of the scheme extents.
• “Clifton Poultry Farm, Clifton Road, Newbridge” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia – located approximately 1.2km southeast of the scheme extents.
• “Hillwood Quarry, Ratho, Midlothian” – Mineral industry – declared for carbon dioxide and particulate matter <10 microns in diameter (PM₁₀) – located approximately 2.7km east of the scheme extents.
• “Wyman Gordon Ltd, Livingston” – Production and processing of metals – declared for carbon dioxide – located approximately 3.62km southwest of the scheme extents.
• “API Foils, Houston Industrial Estate, Livingston” – Other activities – declared for NVMOCs and toluene – located approximately 3.78km southwest of the scheme extents.
• “Ravelrig Quarry Kirknewton, Midlothian” – Mineral industry – declared for PM₁₀ and PM₅ – located approximately 5.48km southeast of the scheme extents.
• “Kaimes Quarry Landfill Site, Kirknewton” – Waste and waste-water management – declared for methane – located approximately 5.7km southeast of the scheme extents.
• “Balerno Poultry Farm, Lanark Road West, Balerno” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia – located approximately 6.68km south of the scheme extents.
• “Dalmeny Hound Point, South Queensferry” – Energy sector – declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NVMOCs) – located approximately 6.82km northeast of the scheme extents.
• “Gogarbank Poultry, Corstorphine, Edinburgh” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia and PM₁₀ – located approximately 7.4km east of the scheme extents.
• “Shin-Etsu Handotai, Wilson Road, Livingston” – Chemical industry – declared for ammonia – located approximately 7.57km southwest of the scheme extents.
• “Stepend Poultry Farm, West Calder, West Lothian” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia – located approximately 9.3km 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 activities.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools record four designated cultural heritage assets within 300m of the scheme extents, one Scheduled Monument, and three Listed Buildings.

The “Union Canal, River Almond to River Avon” Scheduled Monument lies approximately 45m southwest of the scheme extents at its closest point. It passes below the M8 carriageway approximately 50m southwest of the western side of the scheme.

The three Listed Buildings within 300m of the scheme are all bridges over Union Canal. The closest of these to the scheme is “Union Canal Bridge 21, Near Lookaboutye” (ID: LB7433) which is a Category C Listed Building located approximately 100m southeast of the scheme extents.

Of lesser concern, there are approximately twenty-two undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) located within 300m of the scheme extents. Of these, four lie partially or fully within the scheme extents. These are:

• “Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment And Walkover Survey, Broxburn To Humbie Farm Gas Pipeline Reinforcement, Boxburn, West Lothian” Historic Environment Record (HER) site (ID: 3784).
• “Union Canal, Learielaw Culvert” HER and National Record of the Historic Environment Site (NRHE) (IDs: 180594, 54440, and 55028).

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 and depth and the distance between the nearest designated assets and the scheme extents, the potential for impacts to cultural heritage are deemed to be negligible. 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), which has the following key characteristics:

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

• Motorway and Major Roads.
• Rectilinear Fields and Farms.
• Industrial or Commercial Area.

The national scale land capability for agriculture classifies land surrounding the scheme as being “Class 2” - Land capable of producing a wide range of crops.

There are no areas of ancient woodland recorded on the Ancient Woodland Inventory, areas of native woodland recorded on the Native Woodland Survey, or any individual trees or areas of woodland covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) within 300m of the scheme extents.

The scheme is bordered to the south by a shelterbelt consisting of strips of semi-mature broadleaved woodland, sections of hedgerows and areas of scrub.

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

No European designated sites lie within 2km of the scheme extents, i.e., Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), or Ramsar Sites. However, the scheme does share hydrological connectivity with the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site, and Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA via an unclassified waterbody, which passes below the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents and drains into the River Almond, which ultimately drains into the Firth of Forth. Additionally, the scheme lies within buffer zones of qualifying features of the Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site, Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA, and Westwater SPA and Ramsar Site. Details of these sites are given below:

The Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar Site lies approximately 7.5km north of the scheme extents at their closest point.

The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA is located approximately 9.57km northeast of the scheme extents at its closest point.

The Westwater SPA and Ramsar Site is located approximately 18.26km south of the scheme extents at their closest point.

Additionally, the Firth of Forth and Westwater SPAs are underpinned by Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There are no SSSIs within 300m of the scheme extents.

There is one Local Nature Conservation Site (LNCS) within 300m of the scheme extents:

• “Union Canal – Broxburn to Lin’s Mill” is located approximately 40m southwest 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.

A search of the NBN online mapping tool records the following invasive and injurious plant species as listed within the Network Management Contract (NMC) within 2km of the scheme extents (within the last 10-years):

Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS):

• Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera).

Injurious Weeds:

• Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare).

No instances of invasive native perennials.

The closest of these records to the scheme extents pertains to spear thistle which is located approximately 1.58km southeast of the scheme extents.

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

• Five instances of the invasive native perennial rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

No instances of INNS or injurious weeds.

The habitat immediately bordering the M8 Prior to Union Canal WB consists primarily of broadleaved shelterbelt, agricultural fields, and Union Canal, with further agricultural land, and residential and industrial land in the wider area. While there is some availability of roadside vegetation, habitat immediately bordering the M8 carriageway is assessed to be of reduced ecological value, due to the high likelihood of disturbances from high volume, fast-flowing traffic and that the M8 carriageways limit the connectivity and continuity for species between their potential habitats on either side of the road.

An Environmental Constraints Survey (ECS) was conducted on the 13^th of August 2025 for a previous scheme relating to drainage works adjacent to the M8 WB. The purpose of the ECS was to investigate any potential environmental constraints for planned vegetation removal works. The survey area included the verge adjacent to the M8 WB and covered the entire scheme extents of the M8 Prior to Union Canal WB.

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 major and generalised soil groups within the scheme extents are classified as “Brown soils” in the central and western portion of the scheme, with the major soils in the east classified as “Noncalcareous gleys” while the generalised soil type is “Mineral gleys” (Scotland’s Soils).

Bedrock geology in the scheme extents is classified as:

• Calders Member-Sedimentary rock cycles, Strathclyde Group type.
• Burdiehouse Limestone-Limestone.
• Hopetoun Member-Sedimentary rock cycles, Strathclyde Group type.
• Dunnet Sandstone-Sandstone.

Superficial deposits are classified as “Till, Devensian-Diamicton” (BGS 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 out with the carriageway, 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 rectify a number of defects which have been identified in the road surface. Materials used will consist of:

• TS2010 10mm Site Class 1.
• AC20 Dense Binder 40/60.
• AC32 Base.
• Tack/Bond coat.
• Thermoplastic Road Markings.
• Embedded Road Studs.

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

The approximately 920m scheme involves the removal of surface and binder course. In total, approximately 1,028 tonnes of bituminous material (740t of surface course, 230t of binder course, and 58t of base course) will be removed from site, of which 44.23 tonnes are 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

There are residential, commercial and farmstead properties within 300m of the scheme extents. For further details see “Population and Human Health”.

The works do not fall within a candidate quiet area (CQA) as defined by the Agglomerations Noise Action Plan (ANAP).

The nighttime noise levels (LNGT) modelled within the scheme extents range between 70 and 75 decibels (dB), with levels decreasing to between 35 and 55dB at the nearest property.

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

There are approximately three residential properties, one farmstead, and one commercial property within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of these is the “Learielaw Farm” farmstead, which lies approximately 90m north of the scheme extents at its closest point. It receives little screening from the scheme extents, with clear sightlines from the M8 WB carriageway to the property. The closest residential property lies approximately 185m north of the scheme and is well screened by the raised roadside embankment and the roadside treeline.

The Union Canal Water Path (2a) and Towpath (2b) lie approximately 40m southwest of the scheme extents at their closest points (West Lothian Core Paths). They both pass below the M8 carriageway approximately 50m southwest of the scheme extents.

There is no street lighting throughout the scheme. There are no other community receptors within the immediate vicinity of the scheme.

The scheme extents are located on the M8 carriageway, which is a motorway with the national speed limit applying throughout. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow is high (36,672 motor vehicles (ID: JTC00629, 2026 data)) (Transport Scotland).

Road drainage and the water environment

There is one SEPA classified waterbody within 300m of the scheme extents. “Union canal (Craigton to Murray Burn)” (ID: 8) is a river in the River Almond catchment area. It passes approximately 40m southwest 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 2023.

There are approximately four unclassified waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of these, “Drain 1”, passes below the M8 carriageway within the scheme extents and ultimately drains into the River Almond. The next closest unclassified waterbody lies approximately 65m southwest of the scheme extents. These waterbodies are too small (in terms of catchment area) to be classified as main stem waterbodies by SEPA under the Water Framework Directive.

A search of the SEPA Flood Map online mapping tool shows that most of the scheme extents has an increased flood risk. Flood risk is primarily located within the hard shoulder and Lane 1 within the scheme extents, and ranges between a low (0.1%) and high (10%) likelihood of flooding 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).