Actions

The seven objectives, underpinned by actions and associated activities which define how they will be delivered, and their delivery dates, are as follows:

Objective 1

Update the Trunk Road Information Manual

• Develop and agree biodiversity prioritisation text within the first year and a more detailed update before the next round of Network Maintenance Contracts - September 2027.

Providing Biodiversity and Soil Management Information

Provide suitable information to Transport Scotland staff on biodiversity and soil management.

• Prepare suitable internal guidance notes for biodiversity enhancement opportunities and the management of soil - September 2027.
• Transport Scotland to engage with further and higher education providers to encourage nature literacy is part of engineering, planning, and other transport-related courses - September 2028.
• Seek to champion biodiversity within the agency by increasing ecological competence and awareness across all areas - March 2028.

Enhancing Biodiversity in Maintenance Contracts

Examine opportunities to further enhance and reinforce the Trunk Road maintenance contracts to prioritise outcomes in support of biodiversity.

• Encourage Operating Companies to prioritise biodiversity considerations across all their actions and seek to incorporate this as a requirement of the next generation of Trunk Road maintenance contract - September 2027.
• Establish Key Performance Indicator(s) related to biodiversity improvements, which could be measured using a combination of tools such as the Transport Scotland’s Natural Capital assessment, the Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric (SPBM) (under development), and / or habitat condition and connectivity indicators - September 2028.
• Reinforce the efforts within Transport Scotland for implementing ‘green’ procurement policies, such as supporting vendors / suppliers with sustainable practices and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and targets - September 2028.

Managing Ecological Information

Review opportunities within Trunk Road maintenance contracts to enhance collation and analysis of ecological information.

• Improve clarity in the future Trunk Road maintenance contracts on ecological information to be collated, the criteria for updating asset records, and evidencing site verification - September 2029.
• Monitor compliance, review evidence and update processes - September 2029.

Celebrating Biodiversity Successes

Greater recognition / celebration of Trunk Road Network Operating Companies’ biodiversity successes.

• Develop opportunities within the next generation of Trunk Road maintenance contracts to incentivise biodiversity improvements (incentives could be provided through recognition of individual beneficial outcomes, and / or an annual overall assessment of positive outcomes for biodiversity) - September 2029.
• Encourage Operating Companies to consider incorporating suitable enhancements for biodiversity and blue/green infrastructure in all operations, in recognition of the Scottish Government commitment - September 2028.
• Seek commitment to secure annual biodiversity delivery budgets for all Trunk Road units - September 2027.
• Prepare a business case for the Transport Scotland Professional Services Register (PSR) to includes appropriate grades for people in the biodiversity industry (Chartered ecologists, soil scientists, and arboriculturists) - March 2028.
• Encourage Operating Companies to take advantage of opportunities for positive media coverage, e.g. participate in Biodiversity Challenge Awards, publicise successes on social media, install information boards in suitable locations like rest areas, explaining local biodiversity improvements - December 2027.

On the Trunk Road Network, maintain an accurate inventory of landscape and ecological assets in order to measure and monitor progress towards targets

• Continue to re-validate existing information, including evidence of ground-truthing exercises with photographs, site notes etc. linked to the asset management system (AMPS) - ongoing, annual review.
• Develop a baseline using the asset records in spring 2028 to form a foundation against which to measure biodiversity progress; to include habitat types, condition and wildlife fencing and crossings, and any other ecological features - September 2028.
• Explore opportunities to enhance ecological data gathering and analysis across Transport Scotland assets, through innovation research, and engaging with the supply chain and technology industry - June 2028.
• Engage with the Roads, Delivery & Operations Asset Management team to enable greater functionality of the database to record and monitor ecological information and condition, allowing for information to be passed between Operating Companies in the event of contracts changing hands and for engineers to see high-level ecological constraints at initial phases of scheme development - June 2028.
• Ensure habitat condition ratings in the Trunk Road Maintenance Contracts are clear and understandable - September 2027.
• Seek to improve recording and analysis of wildlife casualties from vehicle collisions to inform potential mitigation opportunities - December 2027.

Objective 2

Natural Soil Protection Strategies

Implement proactive natural soil protection strategies such as use of lightweight machinery and protective mats to reduce soil compaction during construction.

• Develop management systems / toolbox talks to promote good practices, especially in sensitive areas - March 2027.
• Record biologically important / sensitive soils in the Trunk Road asset management system using available data from infrastructure schemes, third-party open sources including citizen-science, and nationally available data layers - September 2027.
• Ensure the requirement for efficient assessment and establishment of soil protection zones around any construction works is understood and delivered - December 2026.
• Ensure the requirement to avoid storage of potential contaminants, such as fuel, near soils is appropriately discharged - December 2026.
• Adopt soil erosion and sedimentation control plans where sites are deemed to be at high risk – e.g. steep slopes and sandy soils - March 2027.
• Create a procedure for the regular monitoring of soil compaction levels on construction sites and establish remedial actions to take when issues are noted - March 2027.

Identify areas of biologically rich or peat soils within the existing network and on new schemes, ensure these are captured and characterised appropriately within EIAs, and protected from disturbance as far as possible.

• Implement soil DNA testing on new schemes - September 2027.
• Targeted testing of soil DNA in the relevant protected areas on the existing Trunk Road Network to help identify biologically valued soils - March 2028.
• Develop suitable soil health indicators within identified areas of biologically valued soils, and ensure these are monitored annually - March 2028.

Reusing Biologically Valued or Peat Soils

Identify and assign any surplus biologically valued soils or peat soils to appropriate locations / habitat restoration areas and reuse as soon as possible.

• Ensure suitably qualified specialist input - as required.
• Undertake research to identify and develop a network of potential donor sites across the country - September 2029.
• Incorporate into new works contracts the requirement for identifying appropriate locations for soil protection and/ or donor sites, in advance of construction - as required.
• Seek to identify alternative (off-site) opportunities for use of surplus sensitive soils, such as peatland restoration projects - as required.
• Learn lessons from ongoing projects and develop / adopt techniques for sustainable management of peat and other biologically-valued soils - ongoing (by December 2028)

Minimise soil storage

• Develop relevant guidance and ensure that Soil Management Plans are included in all major new infrastructure contracts - March 2028.
• Explore opportunities for Soil Management Plans for existing assets prior to planned major developments. This might be triggered due to scale of works or presence of biologically valued soils - September 2028.
• Ensure suitably qualified specialist input - as required.

Establishing Semi-Natural Grassland Vegetation

Where semi-natural grassland vegetation is to be established anywhere within the Transport Scotland assets, soils should be sampled and analysed to inform appropriate management techniques are adopted.

• Engage suitably qualified specialist input for each major project to ensure understanding of optimum nutrient levels, topsoil depths, and specific requirements for any proposed plant communities - as required.
• Monitor compliance with Soil Management Plans and provide adequate training/ toolbox talks, and supervision of operatives on the ground - as required.

Increase awareness of soil biodiversity importance

• Develop guidance for planners, designers and site staff on good practice soil management and protection, including advice on stripping, stockpiling, restoration and reuse. Incorporate best practice protocols where available - March 2028.
• Provide adequate training to relevant contractors/ operatives - as required.

Objective 3

Managing Non-Native Plant and Animal Species

Manage and update a list of non-native plant and animal species that are common or relevant to the Transport Scotland estate for inclusion in new and, where possible, existing contracts.

• Develop a list of target INNS based on NatureScot, Scottish Government and SEPA advice as appropriate, for species for priority action and for those of a medium/long-term risk. Review the list annually to ensure relevance - March 2027.
• Engage with stakeholders such as National Park authorities and landowners to identify other species which are a local issue and to develop opportunities for partnership working -
• Develop a process for identifying / characterising the biology and ecology of locally identified species for action to enable an understanding of their future behaviours and potential management requirements - September 2028.

Controlling Non-Native Species and Promoting Biosecurity

Raise awareness of the importance of non-native plant and animal species control / biosecurity, including species identification.

• Ensure contractors, operatives and consultants have the relevant knowledge, understanding and training - March 2028.
• Raise awareness of non-native species among neighbouring landowners, local schools and conservation groups - ongoing.

Identifying Areas for Non-Native Species Management

Identify locations for priority action for non-native / invasive species within the Transport Scotland estate.

• Assess, review, and reinforce protocol for reporting sightings and accurately recording the locations of non-native species and their abundance / extent across the Trunk Road Network and other infrastructure; maintain the records with up-to-date information - May 2027.
• Ensure the Trunk Road Network asset inventory includes all significant locations of non-native / invasive species – March 2028.

Managing Non-Native and Invasive Species

Ensure the delivery of robust management plans for non-native / invasive species across the Transport Scotland estate including setting targets for their control / removal.

• Ensure all new infrastructure projects, including existing asset improvements identify any significant instances of non-native invasive species within or adjacent to the footprint of the works and prepare a suitable management plan for control / eradication - as required.
• Assess, review and reinforce requirements for annual delivery of robust invasive and injurious species management plans, as part of the Trunk Road maintenance contracts, with a focus on control of non-native species - September 2027.

Develop options and opportunities to promote agreements with neighbouring landowners and other stakeholders for the management of non-native / invasive species.

• Include provisions in future Trunk Road maintenance contracts for management of non-native species in partnership with stakeholders - September 2030.
• Encourage Trunk Road management companies to seek opportunities for working in partnership with adjacent landowners to better manage non-native invasive species -

Objective 4

Enhancing Landscape Connectivity

Embed landscape scale connectivity as a design requirement into major infrastructure projects and other improvements.

• Establish a procedure for adoption in future contracts requiring the identification of opportunities for ecological connectivity improvements, including blue-green infrastructure - September 2027.
• Include the requirement in future contracts for design teams to engagement with neighbouring land managers, as part of the scheme development process, to explore opportunities to achieve ecological impact beyond the project’s available land - as required.
• Ensure NatureScot’s habitat connectivity indicators for woodland, heathland, grassland and fen/marsh/swamp are monitored and taken into account prior to and on completion of a major project - as required.

New major infrastructure projects to consider opportunities for incorporating wildlife crossings, taking into account species types and usage.

• Prepare guidance for maximising the opportunities for wildlife connectivity opportunities as a requirement to include in future contracts - March 2028.
• Ensure suitably qualified specialist input - as required.

Landscape Connectivity

Identify landscape scale connectivity hotspots / barriers on existing infrastructure and improve permeability for wildlife.

• Interrogate the Trunk Road inventory and wildlife collision data to identify hotspots and explore opportunities to provide safe crossing points such as underpasses or wildlife bridges - September 2027.
• Ensure suitably qualified specialist input - as required.
• Review LD 118 biodiversity design standard to facilitate connectivity (e.g. dry mammal underpass requirements) - September 2028.
• Explore opportunities, when planning new works or maintenance schemes, to engage with managers of land neighbouring existing assets to achieve benefit beyond the asset boundary - as required.
• Promote partnership working and appropriate agreements with neighbouring landowners and relevant stakeholders to link hotspots and remove barriers - as required.
• Prepare guidance for drainage systems to best accommodate amphibians - December 2026

Light and Noise Pollution

Manage (avoid and reduce) light and noise pollution to improve habitat quality for species.

• Seek to reduce extent of lighting where possible - ongoing.
• Require all new lighting installations to use angled / cowled lighting to reduce light-spill and investigate opportunities for using intelligent Lighting Control Systems - as required.
• Seek advice from NatureScot on the local species most affected by light or noise pollution on different parts of the trunk road estate and the most appropriate mitigation methods - December 2026.
• Monitor light pollution, for example by assessing the satellite data showing light pollution from the trunk road estate - annually.

Objective 5

Habitat Management

Improve the condition of existing habitats through appropriate management.

• Identify existing habitats and species, relevant to Transport Scotland assets, which are most at most risk to climate change, disease or other threats - September 2028.
• Develop a set of principles and location-specific criteria for measuring short-term improvements in different habitat conditions - September 2028.
• Ensure suitably qualified specialist advice is followed - as required.
• Adjust management regime to improve habitat condition - as required.
• Monitor improvement annually - as required.

Identify existing old and veteran trees within the Transport Scotland estate

• Develop criteria for defining and recording old and veteran trees - February 2027.
• Accurately map trees and develop management plans specifically for them - September 2028.

Managing Roadside Trees and Woodland

Reinforce good practice requirements for the maintenance and management of Trunk Road network roadside trees and woodland.

• Ensure suitably qualified arboriculturist or landscape architect advice is followed in relation to maintenance of existing roadside trees, taking due cognisance of operational and safety requirements - as required.
• Follow the minimum offset distances between the carriageway, hard shoulder, or hard strip and tree and shrub planting (refer to LD 117 National Application Annex for Scotland) - ongoing.
• Explore opportunities to propose and deliver new native planting on Scottish Ministers’ land that is surplus to operational requirements - ongoing.
• Explore opportunities to deliver new native planting outside Scottish Ministers’ ownership through landowner agreements where insufficient space for replanting exists within the boundary - ongoing.

Grassland and Roadside Verges

Promote grassland and roadside verge management practices that encourage good ecological condition, where practicable

• Where appropriate and safe to do so, reduce mowing frequency and collect arisings (either by bailer or by hand) on roadside verges and other suitable grassed elements to allow wildflowers and grasses to set seed and support pollinators - ongoing.
• Where practicable and appropriate, raise the height of the cuts to protect amphibians, reptiles and at least some small mammal species - ongoing.
• Undertake specialist investigation to determine and implement localised maintenance regimes for improved biodiversity - ongoing.
• Review and, if necessary, amend Trunk Road contract grass cutting obligations (including KPIs etc.) to facilitate greater flexibility in the requirements for specific local conditions - September 2027.
• Encourage operating companies and contractors to use the appropriate machinery for the local conditions and required frequencies of verge maintenance - December 2026.
• Where appropriate, consider a longer-term approach for managing widened verges e.g. 3-5 year mowing cycle (late in the year), dependent on local biodiversity priority objectives - September 2027.
• Encourage operating companies to clear roadside ditches little and often without compacting the spoil on their banks - September 2027.
• Avoid carrying out management to adjacent features in wet conditions when machinery will damage the verge - ongoing.

Species of Conservation Interest

Manage road verges and other habitats to encourage species which have been identified as being of local conservation interest / importance.

• Using the Scottish Biodiversity List or, local priority lists where available, identify species likely to benefit from trunk road estate habitats either currently or after further management - June 2027.
• Identify key management changes or interventions required to encourage these species - July 2027.

Objective 6

Understanding Local Ecosystems

Assess and understand relevant local ecosystems and ensure any management and maintenance interventions are appropriate.

• When considering new interventions, identify the key components of the ecosystem, its habitats and species, both as it exists and as intended - ongoing.
• Identify changes to be made in species composition (or other metric) and / or maintenance activities required to support the ecosystem in a healthy condition - ongoing.
• Ensure that all planting and seeding is appropriate for Scotland and the specific local circumstances, prioritising species that are most resilient to climate change, disease or other threats - ongoing.
• Consider opportunities for delivering associated improvements to amenity or air quality, at the same time (e.g. shading, light, open space, active travel routes) - as required.

Diverse Planting Design

Design and manage planting for structural, species, and age diversity.

• Ensure that tree management plans required for the Trunk Road Network identify the type of woodland / planting present and its needs - September 2027.
• Encourage the development and progression of planting management programmes that deliver a mix of age groups, of open areas, young saplings, older trees and dead wood - ongoing.
• Use thinning and coppicing to improve structural diversity, where appropriate; ensure it is suitable for the site, undertaken at the correct time of year and in rotation to create areas at different stages - as required.

Expanding Priority Habitats

Expand priority habitats as part of new construction based on the updated Scottish Biodiversity List habitats.

• As part of the scheme development, ensure adjacent priority habitats, and habitats in sub-optimal condition that could become priority habitats, are identified - as required.
• Identify potential interventions to improve appropriate interconnectivity for any adjacent priority habitats and make them more ecologically functional as units - as required.

Encourage the exploration of innovative methods for habitat restoration

• Explore innovative and best-practice techniques for habitat restoration, such as inoculation of new woodland areas with ancient woodland soil cores - September 2029.
• Investigate opportunities for novel restoration approaches with research groups / practitioners - September 2029.
• Monitor and report accurately on delivery of any innovative methods used to identify and disseminate information on successful and cost-effective approaches - as required.

Identifying Restoration Opportunities

Use the Trunk Road inventory to record potential high-value areas / conservation opportunities for restoration priorities.

• Interrogate available datasets to identify locations associated with the Trunk Road Network which are or have the potential to be high-value areas. This includes locations adjacent to the estate - March 2028.
• Incorporate potential high-value areas such as Scottish national or local priority habitats, or habitats that support / benefit national or local priority species - March 2028.

Preventing Ecosystem Pollution

Protect ecosystems against pollution by adopting innovative solutions and improved monitoring.

• Ensure the Trunk Road maintenance contract requires the adoption of appropriate machinery and practices that are non-polluting - as required.
• Road carriageway improvements to include replacing existing carriageway surfacing with low-noise surfacing to enhance habitats - as required.

Objective 7

Promoting Biodiversity Awareness

Raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and how Transport Scotland and especially the trunk road estate supports enhanced biodiversity.

• Publish the Strategy in full and as a non-technical summary in an easily located part of the Transport Scotland website – Sept 2026.
• Engage with stakeholders and the wider public and explain how the Transport Scotland Biodiversity Strategy links in with the national strategy and policies – February 2027.
• Seek opportunities for making publicly available relevant information regarding the ecological resources, habitats, and ecosystems supported by the Trunk Road Network to increase biodiversity awareness, enable collaboration, enhance transparency and facilitate tracking progress on delivering the national targets - ongoing.
• Establish a Biodiversity Forum for Transport Scotland, our agents and supply chain, and representatives of other transport modes to report on biodiversity outcomes, ensure a consistent approach, and share good practice across the Trunk Road Network units and DBFO schemes - April 2027.

Partnership Working for Biodiversity

Promote partnership working with statutory bodies, landowners and other stakeholders.

• Identify potential external stakeholders and relevant groups / teams within Transport Scotland - April 2027.
• Establish communication pathways / channels - May 2027.
• Investigate opportunities to engage in wider, national programmes such as 30 x 30, Nature30, and Nature Networks - September 2027.
• Identify specific shared aims / projects / goals - December 2027.

Improve active travel opportunities

• Identify opportunities for blue-green infrastructure benefits and landscape connectivity enhancements along existing and proposed active travel routes - September 2027.
• For any new wildlife crossings, or other landscape connectivity improvements, also consider accessibility improvements to active travel routes and vice versa - as required.
• Ensure biodiversity consideration is a key feature of Active Travel infrastructure planning - as required.
• Consult with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and the Scottish Environment Link umbrella group in relation to any significant proposals - December 2026.