Description of local environment

Air quality

Receptors – refer to ‘Population and Human Health’.

A search of the Air Quality in Scotland online mapping records that air quality monitoring sites in the wider area record bandings in the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme lies within the boundary of the City of Edinburgh Council, which currently has five Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) within its administrative boundary. The closest of which, ‘Air Quality Management Area Glasgow Road 2013’, lies approx. 1.1km south / southeast of the scheme and has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

There are 11 sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) for pollutant releases to air within 10km of the scheme within the last 10 years:

  • Hillwood Quarry, Ratho, Midlothian – Mineral Industry, declared for carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and smaller), located approx. 2km southeast of the scheme.
  • Clifton Poultry Farm, Clifton Road, Newbridge – Intensive Livestock Production, declared for ammonia, located approx. 3.2km southwest of the scheme.
  • Dalmeny Hound Point, South Queensferry – Energy Sector, declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), located approx. 3.5km northeast of the scheme.
  • Clapperton Poultry Complex, Broxburn, West Lothian – Intensive Livestock Production and Aquaculture, declared for ammonia and PM10 smaller and total, located approx. 4.7km southwest of the scheme.
  • Gogarbank Poultry, Corstorphine, Edinburgh – Intensive Livestock Production and Aquaculture, declared for ammonia and PM10 and smaller, located approx. 5.6km southeast of the scheme.
  • Ravelrig Quarry, Kirknewton, Midlothian – Mineral Industry, declared for PM10, PM5 and smaller, located approx. 6.8km southeast of the scheme.
  • Kaimes Quarry Landfill Site, Kirknewton – Waste and Waste-Water Management, declared for methane, located approx. 7.1km south of the scheme.
  • Wyman Gordon Limited, Livingston – Production and Processing of Metals, declared for carbon dioxide (CO2), located approx. 7.5km southwest of the scheme.
  • API Foils, Houstoun Industrial Estate, Livingston – Other Activities, declared for NMVOCs and toluene, located approx. 7.7km southwest of the scheme.
  • Balerno Poultry Farm, Lanark Road West, Balerno – Intensive Livestock Production and Aquaculture, declared for ammonia, located approx. 8.2km south of the scheme.
  • Rosyth Dockyard, Dunfermline – Other Activities, declared for NMVOCs, located approx. 8.2km northwest of the scheme.

Baseline air quality in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles travelling along the M9 trunk road. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along nearby local network roads and day-to-day woodland and agricultural land management activities.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tools records five designated sites within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Newliston Garden and Designed Landscape lies approx. 28m west of the scheme (adjacent to the northbound carriageway).
  • Kirkliston Conservation Area lies approx. 120m east of the scheme.
  • Kirkliston Village, Newliston Road, Breast Mill House, Outbuildings and Boundary Walls Listed Building (ID: LB27523), lies approx. 170m east of the scheme.
  • Kirkliston Village, Newliston Road, Breast Mill (Priest Mill) Listed Building (ID: LB27519) lies approx. 190m east of the scheme.
  • Maitland’s Bridge, River Almond at Kirkliston Listed Building (ID: LB27563), lies approx. 290m east of the scheme.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, 27 undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest of which lie within the southern extents of the scheme:

  • Archaeological Monitoring: Bathgate Trunk Main Historic Environment Record (HER).
  • Desk-Based Cultural Heritage Assessment: Bathgate Trunk Main HER.

Construction of the M9 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 is therefore assessed to be low.

While designated site Newliston Garden and Designed Landscape lies approx. 28m west of the scheme and two UCHAs are located within 300m of the scheme extents, the works will be restricted to the existing M9 southbound carriageway boundary and as such, will not be at risk of impacting these features. Therefore, there is no potential for impacts to cultural heritage from the proposed works and this topic has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

Landscape and visual effects

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

The Landscape Character Type (LCT) within the study area is ‘Lowland Plain (no. 274). The characteristics of which are:

  • 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 northwest.
  • Industrial heritage legacy, with prominent quarrying, landfill and shale bing impacts.
  • Important setting for western Edinburgh.

Land use within 300m of the scheme is categorised into the following:

  • Motorway and major roads.
  • Rectilinear fields and farms.
  • Recreation area.
  • Urban area.
  • Rough grazing.
  • Managed woodland.
  • Industrial or commercial area.
  • Industrial-scale farming unit.
  • Landfill Site.

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.
  • ‘Class 3.1’ - Land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common.

There are six areas of woodland on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS) within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Lowland mixed deciduous woodland (approx. 1ha) lies adjacent to the scheme extents.
  • Nearly-native lowland mixed deciduous woodland (approx. 3.7ha) lies adjacent to the scheme extents.
  • Planted Woods on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), an unidentifiable type (approx. 5.3ha) lies approx. 46m west of the scheme.
  • Nearly-native lowland mixed deciduous woodland (approx. 0.5ha) lies approx. 216m northeast of the scheme.
  • Lowland mixed deciduous (approx. 2.8ha) lies approx. 247m northwest of the scheme.
  • Hawthorn scrub (approx. 0.6ha) lies approx. 268m east of the scheme.

One area of woodland on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland lies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Ancient of Semi-Natural Origin (approx. 6.5ha) lies approx. 105m west of the scheme.

In addition, the following woodland lies within 300m of the scheme:

  • Mixed mainly conifer woodland (approx. 0.6ha).
  • Broadleaved woodland (approx. 1ha).

There are no trees covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) with connectivity to 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 (SPA) and Ramsar Site lies approx. 4.2km north of the scheme extents and the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA lies approx. 5.3km northeast of the scheme. Therefore, the scheme lies within the buffer zone of several of the qualifying species of the both of these designated sites.

Three Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS) lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Pike’s Pool LNCS lies adjacent to the scheme extents.
  • River Almond – Newbridge to Kirkliston LNCS lies approx. 18m south of the scheme and is spanned by the M9.
  • Lindsay’s Craigs lies approx. 35m west of the scheme.

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

In addition, 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. Only records with open-use attributions (OGL, CC0, CC-BY) were included in the search criteria.

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

Injurious Weeds:

  • Broadleaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius).
  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris).
  • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense).
  • Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare).

Invasive Native Perennial:

  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

The closest record pertains to injurious weed spear thistle approx. 0.6km east (recorded 2021).

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records no invasive non-native species (INNS), injurious weeds or invasive native perennials within the scheme extents.

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 verges within the scheme extents are comprised of strips of managed grassland bordered by broadleaved tree and shrub shelterbelt and woodland areas. The presence of the trunk road is likely to restrict continuity of, and connectivity between, habitats either side of the trunk road boundary.

Outwith the trunk road boundary, urban developments lie east of the scheme and a large commercial area lies southwest of the scheme. In addition, the River Almond is spanned by the M9 south of the scheme and agricultural land lies north, east / southeast and west of the scheme. The areas of agricultural land management restrict the occurrence of semi-natural and natural vegetation types. Most field boundaries are comprised of wooden fencing and vegetative features further delineating field boundaries e.g., woodland, shrub, hedgerow, rough grassland, ruderal herb stands and scrub. The River Almond and linear features at field boundaries have wildlife value, both as corridors in an intensively managed landscape, and as habitats for birds and small animals.

Geology and soils

The M9 within the scheme extents is not located within a Geological Conservation Review Site (GCRS), and there are no Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 300m of the scheme extents. 

The National Soil Map of Scotland online mapping tool records the generalised soil type beneath the scheme extents as the following:

  • Brown Soils.
  • Mineral Gleys.
  • Alluvial Soils.

The major soil groups beneath the scheme extents are:

  • Brown Soils.
  • Gleys.
  • Alluvial Soils.

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

  • Till, Devensian (Diamicton).
  • Glaciofluvial Ice Contact Deposits (Gravel, Sand and Silt).
  • Alluvium (Clay, Silt, Sand and Gravel).

The bedrock geology within the scheme extents is recorded as:

  • Hopetoun Member, Sedimentary Rock Cycles – Strathclyde Group Type.
  • Burdiehouse Limestone, Limestone.
  • Calders Member, Sedimentary Rock Cycles (Strathclyde 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.

The works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the existing M9 carriageway boundary and depth. There are no geological designated features within or in close proximity to the scheme extents. Therefore, it is considered that there is no potential for impacts to geology and soils and this topic has been scoped out of further assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed works are required to replace the worn carriageway surface and reinstate road markings.

Materials used will consist of:

  • TS2010 (10mm Aggregate) Site Class 1.
  • Weatherline Road Markings.
  • Surface Embedded Road Studs.
  • AC20 Binder Course.

As the value of the scheme is greater than £350,000, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) is required for this scheme.

The 763m scheme involves removal of surface course and localised areas of binder. In total, approx. 1150 tonnes of bituminous material (European Waste Catalogue Code: 17 03 02) 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 Quiet Areas (CQA).

The night-time modelled noise level (LNGT) ranges between 70 and 75 decibels (dB) within the scheme extents (Scotland’s Noise), with levels decreasing to between 60 and 65 dB at the nearest noise sensitive receptor (NSR) (i.e., residential property).

The baseline noise and vibration within the scheme extents is primarily influenced by vehicles travelling along the M9 trunk road. Secondary sources most likely arise from day-to-day agricultural activities and from motor vehicles travelling along nearby roads.

Population and human health

Numerous residential properties and business premises lie within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest of which (residential property) lies approx. 18m east of the scheme and is partially screened from the scheme by roadside tree shelterbelt and a fence.

Core Path CEC11 lies below the southern scheme extents, bordering the B800.

Street lighting is not present within the scheme extents.

The M9, within the scheme extents, is a motorway with the national speed limit applying throughout. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow is moderate (22,496 motor vehicles) (ID: JTC00444, 2026).

Road drainage and the water environment

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) River Basin Management Plan online mapping tool records two classified surface waterbodies within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Niddry Burn is a river, in the River Almond catchment of the Scotland river basin district (ID: 3007). The main stem is approximately 15.9km in length, classified as being in ‘Poor’ condition and is spanned by the M9 within the scheme extents.
  • River Almond (Breich Water confluence to Maitland Bridge) is a river, in the River Almond catchment of the Scotland river basin district (ID: 3001). The main stem is approximately 17.5km in length, classified as being in ‘Poor’ condition and lies approx. 18m south of the scheme, and is spanned by the M9.

15 unclassified waterbodies lie within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Drain1 lies below the M9 within the scheme extents and is a tributary of Niddry Burn. The drain is separated from the scheme by roadside verge.
  • Drain2 lies approx. 24m east of the scheme and is separated from the scheme by roadside verge.
  • Drain3 lies approx. 34m west of the scheme and is separated from the scheme by the northbound carriageway and roadside verge.
  • Balancing pond1 lies approx. 50m west of the scheme and is separated from the scheme by the northbound carriageway, roadside verge and tree shelterbelt.
  • Drain4 lies approx. 58m west of the scheme.
  • Swine Burn lies approx. 71m east of the scheme.
  • Balancing pond2 lies approx. 76m west of the scheme.
  • Pikes pool lies approx. 90m east of the scheme.
  • Mill Leat lies approx. 105m east of the scheme.
  • Pond1 lies approx. 118m west of the scheme.
  • Drain5 lies approx. 194m northwest of the scheme.
  • Drain6 lies approx. 196m southwest of the scheme.
  • Drain7 lies approx. 212m southeast of the scheme.
  • Drain8 lies approx. 255m northwest of the scheme.
  • Drain9 lies approx. 286m northwest of the scheme.

A search of the SEPA’s Flood Map online mapping tool records that the M9 within the scheme extents is not at risk of surface water flooding.

A search of Scotland's Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the trunk road lies on the ‘Livingston’ groundwater, which has been classified as being in ‘Poor’ condition.

The scheme extents do 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).