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 show air quality monitoring sites in the wider areas recording bandings to be within the ‘green zone’ (Low Index 1-3).

The scheme lies within the boundary of Fife Council, which has no Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) within its administrative boundary. The nearest AQMA, ‘Glasgow Road 2013 Air Quality Management Area’, lies within the boundary of City of Edinburgh Council and is located approx. 14.8km south of the scheme extents. The AQMA has been declared for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).

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

  • Elmbank Poultry Farm, Crossgates, Fife - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – located 2.2km east of the scheme extents and declared for Ammonia (t) and Methane (t).
  • Craigies Poultry Farm, Townhill, Dunfermline - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture – located 3.2km northwest of the scheme extents and declared for Ammonia (t).
  • Mossbank Poultry Farm, Cowdenbeath, Fife - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture - located 3.7km east of the scheme extents and declared for Ammonia (t)
  • Fife Council, Lochhead L/F, By Wellwood, Fife - Waste and waste-water management - located 4.6km northwest of the scheme extents and declared for Carbon dioxide (kt), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) (kg) and Methane (t).
  • Greenknowes Poultry Farm, Kelty, Fife - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture - located 4.6km northwest of the scheme extents and declared for Ammonia (t).
  • Fife Ethylene Plant, Mossmorran - Chemical industry - located 5.2km east of the scheme extents and declared for:
  • Benzene (t)
  • Butadiene (kg)
  • Carbon dioxide (kt)
  • Carbon monoxide (kt)
  • Ethylene (t)
  • Methane (t)
  • Nitrogen oxides, NO and NO2 as NO2 (kt)
  • Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (t)
  • Particulate matter - total (t)
  • Toluene (kg)
  • Fife NGL Plant, Cowdenbeath - Energy sector - located 5.9km east of the scheme extents and declared for:
  • Carbon dioxide (kt)
  • Carbon monoxide (kt)
  • Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) (kg)
  • Methane (t)
  • Nitrogen oxides, NO and NO2 as NO2 (kt)
  • Nitrous oxide (t)
  • Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (t)
  • Sulphur oxides, SO2 and SO3 as SO2 (kt)
  • Rosyth Dockyard, Dunfermline - Other activities - located 6km south of the scheme extents and declared for non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) (t).
  • Glendevon Poultry Farm, Wagon Rd, Dunfermline - Intensive livestock production and aquaculture - located 6.4km southwest of the scheme extents and declared for Ammonia (t)
  • Units 10 & 12, Lochgelly Ind Park, Lochgelly - Chemical industry - located 7.9km northeast of the scheme extents and declared for Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) (kg).

Baseline air quality within the scheme extents is likely to be primarily influenced by traffic along the M90 carriageway. Secondary sources are most commonly derived from motor vehicles travelling along local network roads, and day-to-day urban and agricultural activities. The Dunfermline to Perth railway line is located approx. 60m north of the scheme extents, therefore occasional train movements will also have an impact.

Cultural heritage

The PastMap and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) online mapping tool records that no designated cultural heritage assets lie within 300m of the scheme extents.

Of lesser cultural heritage value, 10 undesignated cultural heritage assets (UCHAs) lie within 300m of the scheme extents. Only two of which are located within 15m of the trunk road:

  • Dunfermline, Halbeath, Halbeath Interchange – NRHE - Classification: motorway interchange (20th century)
  • Dunfermline, Halbeath, Prathouse Row – NRHE - Classification: cottage(s) (18th century)

Construction of the M90 carriageway is likely to have removed any archaeological remains that may have been present within the carriageway 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 M90 carriageway boundary and depth, that no designated cultural heritage features are located within 300m of the scheme, the potential for impacts to cultural heritage have been deemed negligible. As such cultural heritage has been scoped out of further environmental assessment.

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 scheme extents is ‘Lowland Hills and Valleys’ (no. 186) (Scottish Landscape Character Types). The key characteristics of which are:

  • Variety and subtlety of landform.
  • Generally dominated by open, regular farmland patterns of medium scale fields of arable and grasslands.
  • Variable pattern of post and wire fences and mostly tall hedges with hedgerow trees.
  • Extensive areas of forestry, shelter planting, roadside planting and policies linked to large estates.
  • Regular, often linear, pattern of the distribution of steadings and larger settlements and towns, all of which are generally well related to the landscape.
  • Towns in valleys enclosed by the landform of low hills which form a rural backdrop
  • Network of roads often well related to landform.
  • Dominant linear and point features of forests and tree groups, individual trees or local buildings.
  • A generally tended, safe, quiet, balanced and calm landscape, but also a busy, random, disturbed and noisy one in the more urban, industrialised areas.
  • Variety of interrelated middle and long distance views of, from and across the low hills.

Land Use within 300m of the study area is comprised of the following:

  • Motorway and Major Roads.
  • Restored Agricultural Land
  • Rectilinear Fields and Farms.
  • Industrial or Commercial Area.
  • Urban Area.
  • Rough Grazing.
  • Plantation.

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. 2.5ha of young tree and shrub woodland which borders the M90 SB within the scheme extents and is registered on the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland (NWSS).
  • Approx. 1.6ha of young tree woodland which is located 230m south the scheme extents and is registered on the NWSS.
  • Approx. 4.2ha of young tree woodland which is located 260m south the scheme extents and is registered on the NWSS.

There are no woodlands registered on the Ancient Woodland Inventory Scotland database, and 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 tools identifies that the:

  • The Firth of Forth SPA and Ramsar site are located approx. 5km south of the scheme extents.
  • The Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA is located approx. 5km north of the scheme extents.
  • The Loch Leven SPA and Ramsar Site lie approx. 10km north of the scheme extents

There are no Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCSs) or Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) designated for biodiversity features within 300m of, or which share connectivity to the scheme.

The Firth of Forth, and Loch Leven SPAs and Ramsar Sites have component SSSIs.

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 seven plant species as listed within the Network Management Contract (NMC), within 2km of the scheme extents (in the last 10-years):

Invasive non-native species (INNS):

  • Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria japonica).
  • Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera).

Injurious weeds, as listed under the Weeds Act 1959:

  • Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius).
  • Common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris).
  • Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense).
  • Curled dock (Rumex crispus).
  • Spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare).

Invasive native perennial:

  • Rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium).

The closest record relates to broad-leaved dock, recorded approx. 0.13km southwest of the scheme extents (recorded in 2020).

A search of the Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool records no instances of INNS however of less significance invasive native perennial rosebay willowherb is recorded within the verge of the scheme extents.

The habitat immediately bordering the M90 within the scheme extents consists primarily of agricultural fields bordered by hedgerows, with some small areas of woodland and industrial land at the eastern extents. While there is some availability of roadside vegetation, habitat immediately bordering the M90 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 M90 carriageway limits the connectivity and continuity for species between their potential habitats on either side of the road.

Outwith the trunk road boundary, agricultural land surrounds the scheme with an industrial estate to the south. The areas of agricultural land management restrict the occurrence of semi-natural and natural vegetation types. Most field boundaries are comprised of post-and-wire fencing and vegetative features further delineating field boundaries e.g., woodland, shrub hedgerow, rough grassland, ruderal herb stands and scrub. 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 M90 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 two generalised soil types and major soil groups within the scheme extents:

  • Brown soils.
  • Gleys (major soil group) and Mineral gleys (generalised soil type).

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

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

The bedrock geology within the scheme extents is recorded as

  • Limestone Coal Formation - Sedimentary Rock Cycles – Clackmannan Group Type.
  • Lower Limestone Formation-Sedimentary rock cycles, Clackmannan Group type.
  • Top Hosie Limestone - limestone.

There is no evidence of historical industrial processes or the storage of hazardous materials that could have given rise to significant land contamination within the scheme extents.

Given the restriction of the works to the M90 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 10mm Agg Site Class 1.
  • AC20 Binder.
  • AC32 Base.
  • Tack/Bond Coat.
  • Paving Grade Bitumen.
  • Weatherline+ Thermoplastic Extrusion 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. The main waste produced during the works will be bituminous materials which will be removed from site, none of which is classified as hazardous material containing coal tar.

Noise and vibration

For properties within 300m of the scheme refer to “Population and Human Health.

Works are not located within a Candidate Quiet Areas (CQA).

The day-evening-night modelled noise level (Lden) (pertaining to the trunk road) for the scheme extents ranges between 75 and 80 decibels (dB), with levels dropping to between 65 and 70 dB at the nearest Noise Sensitive Receptor (NSR) (residential property) (Scotland’s Noise Scotland’s Environment).

Baseline noise and vibration in the study area is mainly influenced by vehicles traveling along the M90 carriageway. Secondary sources are derived from vehicles travelling along nearby local network roads and day-to-day land management activities. Communication with the Design Engineer confirmed that the road surface is in a poor condition, with a series of defects, which have the potential to elevate ambient noise levels. The Dunfermline to Perth railway line is located approx. 60m north of the scheme extents, therefore occasional train movements will also have an impact.

Population and human health

The scheme is located on the periphery of Dunfermline as such numerous residential properties, business premises and industrial properties lie within 300m of the scheme, with the closest residential properties located approx. 80m west of the scheme. The only properties visible from the scheme extents are those located within the Fife Leisure Park, all others are screened from the scheme by raised roadside embankments, tree shelterbelts, topography and intervening properties. Of note, the following are located within 300m of the scheme:

  • Travelodge Dunfermline is located 50m west of the scheme extents.
  • Sweet Chestnut Inn is located 100m west of the scheme extents.
  • Premier Inn Dunfermline Hotel is located 170m west of the scheme extents.
  • The Wee Hoose Fife is located 250m west of the scheme extents.

There are no non-motorised (NMU) or community facilities with connectivity to the scheme extents. Street lighting is absent throughout the scheme extents (although there is street lighting for the Halbeath Junction Roundabout above).

The M90 trunk road within the scheme extents is a dual carriageway which has a speed limit of 70mph throughout. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) flow is low (10,451 motor vehicles (ID:  JTC06421, 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 spanned by, culverted beneath or within 300m of the scheme extents.

Eight small minor unclassified surface waterbodies thought to be a minor tributary or drainage channel are located within 300m of the scheme extents:

  • Drain1 – located approx. 20m east of the scheme.
  • Mowbray Burn – culverted beneath the trunk road approx. 30m north of the scheme.
  • Drain2 – located approx. 35m east of the scheme.
  • Drain3 – located approx. 160m west of the scheme.
  • Pond1 – located approx. 200m west of the scheme.
  • Drain4 – located approx. 220m north of the scheme.
  • Pond2 – located approx. 230m northeast of the scheme.
  • Pond3 – located approx. 260m east of the scheme.

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

A search of the SEPA’s Flood Map online mapping tool records that the M90 trunk road at the scheme extents is at low to medium risk of surface water flooding (This means it has a 0.1% chance and 0.5% chance of flooding each year respectively).

A search of the Scotland’s Environment (SE) online mapping tool determined that the scheme extents lie on the ‘Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy’ groundwater, which has been classified as ‘Poor’.

A search of the SE online mapping tool determined that the FRB 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).