Environment Review

Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) have been undertaken and published for both the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) and the SWestrans Regional Transport Strategy (RTS), both of which considered the A75. As discussed in the Relevant Policies, Strategies and Previous Studies section of this report, the A75 was considered as part of Recommendation 40 of STPR2, and theme four and eight of SWestrans RTS.

The findings of both SEAs were of an appropriate level expected for assessing the likely impacts of a strategy or plan on the environment at the strategic stage. Additional information is required to support Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Stage1 assessment than was necessary to be identified for the SEAs and therefore supporting the need for Stage 1 Assessment. Undertaking this environmental assessment has enabled the more comprehensive and specific information on the environmental features and constraints within and adjacent to the A75 corridor to be established, and that are important to inform and shape the DMRB Stage 1 process from an environmental and sustainability perspective.

From an environmental assessment perspective, no gaps have been identified in the strategic-level appraisal work that was undertaken.