Description of local environment

Air quality

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 the air quality zones in the wider area record bandings in the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme is located within the Stirling Council boundary area, which has no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within its administrative boundary. The closest AQMA, ‘Falkirk Town Centre’, is located approx. 10.9km southeast of the scheme extents and is declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10).

There are ten sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for pollutant releases to air within 10km of the scheme within the last 10 years:

  • “Station Road, Cowie” – Paper and wood production and processing – declared for antimony, arsenic, benzo(a) pyrene, cadmium, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chromium, copper, dioxins and furans (as ITEQ), dioxins and furans (as WHO TEQ), formaldehyde, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2 as NO2), NMVOCs, total particulate matter, and zinc – located approximately 3.1km east of the scheme extents.
  • “Superglass Insulations Limited, Stirling” – Mineral industry – declared for ammonia, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, methane, nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2 as NO2, non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), and phenols (total as C) – located approximately 3.3km north of the scheme extents
  • “Bakelite Synthetics UK Ltd.” – Chemical industry – declared for formaldehyde – located approximately 3.4km east of the scheme extents.
  • “Stirling STW, 29 Whitehouse Road, Stirling” – Waste and waste-water management – declared for methane – located approximately 4.2km north of the scheme extents.
  • “Cowiehall Quarry, Stirling” – Particulate matter (PM10) and smaller (t) – located approximately 4.9km northeast of the scheme extents.
  • “Cambusview Poultry Unit, Cambus, Alloa” – Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – declared for ammonia, particulate matter (PM10), and total particulate matter – located approximately 5.9km north.
  • “UCP, Bridge of Allan, Stirling” – Other activities – declared for HFCs – located approximately 8km north of the scheme extents.
  • Longleys Meat Plant, Bridge of Allan – Animal and vegetable products from the food and beverage sector – declared for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – located approximately 8.2km north of the scheme extents.
  • “O-I Manufacturing UK Ltd.” – Mineral industry – declared for antimony – located approximately 8.5km northeast.
  • “Black Devon Landfill Site, Alloa” – Waste and waste-water management – declared for methane – located approximately 3.9km northeast of the scheme extents.

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the M80. Secondary sources are most commonly derived from motor vehicles travelling along local network roads, day-to-day agricultural land management activities.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools record two designated cultural heritage assets within 300m of the scheme extents. These are two inventory battlefields (IB):

  • The scheme extents lie within the boundary of the Battle of Sauchieburn IB (BTL38).
  • The Battle of Bannockburn IB (BTL4) lies approx. 180m north of the scheme extents.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, approx. 19 undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest of which relate to:

  • Herdsbrae - Historic Environment Record (HER) - Classification: Farmhouse and National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE) – Classification: Farmhouse period unassigned, located approx. 10m east of the scheme.
  • Stirling, M80 J9 – NRHE - Classification: No Class (Event) (21st Century), which relates to a metal detector survey undertaken in support of works along the M80 Offslip, located approx. 30m west of the scheme.

The remaining UCHAs all lie more than 130m from the scheme.

Construction of the M80 carriageway 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.

Landscape and visual effects

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

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the study area is ‘Lowland Hill Fringes - Central’ (no. 150) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The key characteristics of which are as follows:

  • Undulating, rolling topography rising to larger scale hill landforms.
  • Gradation of topography creates transitional landscape linking the open hills of more pronounced relief and the neighbouring settled valley landscapes.
  • Diverse landcover of arable and open improved and unimproved pasture land, interlocks with woodland and forestry, with some estate landscapes with frequent beech hedgerows and shelterbelts.
  • High proportion of woodland cover including large coniferous blocks, mixed shelterbelts and broadleaf tree clumps.
  • Scattered residential development and small settlements on slopes, with recent expansion in some areas.
  • Minor roads.
  • Concentration of small water bodies, reservoirs and small watercourses.
  • Strong interrelationship between stepped escarpment and lower foot slopes in Gargunnock/Fintry and East Touch Fringe.
  • Estate and designed landscapes give distinctive character to East Touch Fringe area.
  • Hill fringes offer important panoramic views to neighbouring hills, valleys and straths, as well as large settlements such as Glasgow and Falkirk.

A sense of remoteness and isolation in some areas despite proximity to settlement and relatively limited geographic extent. Land Use within 300m of the scheme is categorised into the following:

  • Designed Landscape,
  • Managed Woodland,
  • Motorway and major roads, and
  • Rectilinear fields and farms.

The national scale land capability for agriculture classifies land surrounding the scheme as being:

  • ‘Class 3.2’ - Land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common.

Woodland within the study area consists of:

  • Approx. 3ha of lowland mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland, registered as native woodland on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) and registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland (AWIS), borders the M80 northbound Offlslip approx. 70m west of the scheme extents.
  • Approx. 1.5ha of mixed mainly coniferous woodland, borders the M80 southbound within the scheme extents.
  • Approx. 0.7ha of mixed mainly coniferous, is located approx. 60m east of the scheme.
  • Approx. 0.5ha of mixed mainly coniferous woodland, is located approx. 100m east of the scheme.
  • Approx. 0.8ha of broadleaved woodland, is located approx. 100m east of the scheme.
  • Approx. 0.81ha of hawthorn scrub registered on the NWSS, is located approx. 240m north of the scheme extents.
  • Approx. 9.5ha of mixed mainly coniferous woodland, registered on the AWIS, borders the M80 270m south of the scheme extents.

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

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

The NatureScot Sitelink online mapping tool identifies that The Firth of Forth Special Protection Area and Ramsar Site lies approx. 4.6km northeast of the scheme extents. There is no hydrological connectivity between the scheme and the designated sites.

The scheme is not situated within 2km of, and does not share connectivity with, any other European Sites designated for biodiversity features e.g., Special Area of Conservation (SAC), SPA, Ramsar.

There are no Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS), or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of the scheme extents.

However, the Firth of Forth SPA is underpinned by the Firth of Forth SSSI.

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

A search of the NBN online mapping tool records no plant species as listed within the Network Management Contract (NMC), within 2km of the scheme extents (in the last 10-years).

A search of the Asset Performance Management System (AMPS) online mapping tool records the following instances of INNS, invasive native perennials, or injurious weeds within the scheme extents (within last 10-years):

One INNS:

  • Giant hogweed (2014, 2018) recorded at the southern scheme extents

One invasive native perennial:

  • Rosebay willowherb (2014)

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) an invasive native perennial (as listed in the Trunk Road Inventory Manual) at various locations within the verges of scheme extents (2014).

The scheme extents are predominantly bordered by arable and pastoral agricultural land. The result of this intensive agricultural land management is to restrict the occurrence of semi-natural and natural vegetation types. Most field boundaries are post-and-wire fencing, with vegetative features further delineating field boundaries e.g., shrub hedgerow, rough grassland, ruderal herb stands, scrub and tree shelterbelt. Linear features at field boundaries have wildlife value, both as corridors in an intensively managed landscape, and as habitats for birds and small animals.

Habitat immediately bordering the trunk road tends to be of low intrinsic value because the existing road verge is subject to cyclic maintenance e.g., grass cutting, weed control, tree, and shrub cut-back etc. The roadside verge to the south of the scheme extents consists mainly of managed grass, with some shrubs in proximity to overbridges. Roadside vegetation generally offers low ecological habitat due to its limited scale, fragmented nature and high potential for disturbance owing to cyclic trunk road landscape maintenance, and the proximity of the trunk road (with its fast-flowing traffic). The presence of the trunk road also restricts continuity of, and connectivity between, habitats either side of the trunk road boundary.

Geology and soils

The M80 within the scheme extents is not located within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS), and there are no Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 300m or which share connectivity to the scheme extents. 

The National Soil Map of Scotland online mapping tool records that the generalised soil type recorded beneath the scheme extents is Mineral gleys and Brown soils and major soil group recorded beneath the scheme extents is Gleys and Brown soils.

The British Geological Survey online mapping tool records that the superficial geology in the scheme extents is comprised of:

  • Till, Devensian (Diamicton).

The bedrock geology in the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Limestone Coal Formation (sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan group type).

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 M80 carriageway boundary, and the lack of any earthworks, 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 resurface the worn carriageway and reinstate road markings. Materials used will consist of:

  • TS2010 Surface Course, 10mm aggregate Site Class 1.
  • AC20mm Binder.
  • Thermoplastic Road Markings.
  • Embedded Road Studs.

The scheme has a value greater than £350,000. As a result, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required.

The scheme involves removal of the surface course and localised areas of binder and base. The main waste produced during the works will be 1,452 tonnes of bituminous materials (European Waste Catalogue Code: 17 03 03) which will be removed from site, none of which is classified as hazardous material containing coal tar.

Noise and vibration

Receptors – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

Works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) or Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

The modelled noise level (LDEN) ranges between 75 decibels (dB) and 80dB within the scheme extents, and ranges between 60dB and 65dB at the nearest (residential) noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (Scotland's Environment Scotland's Noise).

Baseline noise levels in the study area are mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the motorway. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along the local road network and day-to-day agricultural land management activities.

Population and human health

Approximately six properties, including residential properties, a hotel and farmstead, are located within 300m of the scheme extents. No properties are located within 50m of the scheme extents. The nearest residential property is located approx. 120m west of the scheme extents and the hotel is located 150m east of the scheme. All properties are at least partially screened from the scheme by a combination of raised roadside embankments, woodland tree shelterbelts, and topography.

There are no non-motorised user (NMU) or community facilities with connectivity to the scheme extents.

Street lighting is absent throughout the scheme extents.

The M80 within the scheme extents is a dual-lane motorway with national speed limit applying throughout. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow is moderate (33,929 motor vehicles (ID: 118850, 2026 data)).

Road drainage and the water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) River Basin Management Plan online mapping tool records no classified surface waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents.

Four small minor unclassified surface waterbodies, considered to be minor tributaries or drainage channels lie within 300m of the scheme extents. Details are as follows:

  • Drain1 – located 10m east of the scheme extents and is separated from the carriageway by a grass verge.
  • Drain2 – located 100m south of the scheme extents located adjacent to the NB carriageway.
  • Drain3 – located 100m southeast of the scheme extents located adjacent to the SB carriageway.
  • Drain4 – located 220m west of the scheme extents.

All four waterbodies are too small (in terms of catchment area) to be classified as a main stem waterbody by SEPA under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

A search of the SEPA online Flood Risk Management Maps tool records that the majority of the M80 within the scheme extents has a low to moderate risk of surface water flooding (i.e. each year this area has a 0.1% to 0.5% chance of flooding).

A search of the Scotland’s Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, lies on the ‘Stirling’ groundwater, which has been classified as ‘Poor’.

A search of the SE online mapping tool determined that the trunk road, within the scheme extents, does not lie within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

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).