Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required
This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) exceed 1 hectare in area.
The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017). Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.
The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:
Characteristics of the scheme:
- Works are restricted to the replacement of the existing gantry, as well as the removal/installation of signage and VRS, with all works restricted to made ground on the M80 NB carriageway boundary and the surrounding verges.
- Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to protected species that may be present in the wider area surrounding the scheme extents.
- The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
Location of the scheme:
- Land use will not change as a result of the works.
- The works do not require any private land acquisition.
- The scheme is not located within a densely populated area.
Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme:
- The waste hierarchy will be followed to reduce waste to landfill.
- Works are programmed to take approx. two – three months as a combination of day and night-works to complete, with the aim being to complete the noisiest works by 23:00.
With good practice pollution prevention measures implemented onsite, there is a negligible risk of a pollution event e.g., compliance with the SEMP.