Description of local environment

Air quality

The scheme is located along the A75, south of Kirkdale in Dumfries and Galloway. The immediate scheme extents are enclosed by dense vegetation and mature trees. In areas where tree cover is less prominent, particularly near the ‘start’ of the scheme, agricultural fields become more visible. The wider surrounding landscape is predominantly characterised by expansive farmland and the coastline to the south.

There are three residential properties located within 200m of the scheme extents, the closest being adjacent to the A75 carriageway along the works area. There are no other sensitive air quality receptors within 200m of the scheme extents.

The primary factor affecting baseline air quality is traffic along the A75 road network, with agricultural activities contributing as a secondary source. Manual count point 80338, located 2.5km northeast of the scheme extents, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 5,140 with 954 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Dumfries and Galloway Council have not declared any Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). There are no real-time Air Quality Monitoring Stations (Air Quality in Scotland) or any sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) located within 1km of the works area.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap online mapping tool. The study area covered a 300m radius for designated cultural heritage assets and a 200m radius for non-designated cultural heritage assets. Full details of designated and non-designated assets can be found in Table 1 and Table 2 below.

Table 1: Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 300m

Name	Reference Number	Description	Distance from Scheme
Kirkdale Ice House	LB13141	Listed Building – Category (Cat) C	Approx. 20m south of the scheme extents
Kirkdale Bridge	LB13137	Listed Building – Cat A	Approx. 79m northeast of the scheme extents
Barholm Farm	LB10094	Listed Building – Cat B	Approx. 230m northeast of the scheme extents
Barholm Castle	LB10093	Listed Building – Cat A	Approx. 230m northeast of the scheme extents

Table 2: Non-designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 200m

Name	Reference Number	Description	Distance from Scheme
Ravenshall	63742	Canmore - Field System (Period Unknown) (Possible)	Adjacent to the scheme extents
Kirkdale Bridge / Ravenshall	MDG3348	Historic Environment Record (HER) - Motte; Natural Feature; Settlement?	Approx. 41m south of the scheme extents
Kirkdale Bridge	MDG9134	HER - Bridge	Approx. 63m north of the scheme extents
Barholm Castle	MDG3338	HER – Tower House	Approx. 200m east of the scheme extents
Barholm, Dirk Hatteraick'S Cave	63754	Canmore - Cave (Period Unassigned), Dovecot (Period Unassigned), Landing Point (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 88m west of the scheme extents
Barholm, Dirk Hatteraick'S Cave	MDG3353	HER - Dovecote; Landing Point; Cave	Approx. 88m west of the scheme extents
Ravenshall	63746	Canmore - Term Pending (Period Unassigned)	Adjacent to the scheme extents
Ravenshall	MDG3345	HER – House	Adjacent to the scheme extents

Landscape and visual effects

The immediate scheme extents are enclosed by dense vegetation and mature trees. In areas where tree cover is less prominent, particularly near the ‘start’ of the scheme, agricultural fields become more visible. The wider surrounding landscape is predominantly characterised by expansive farmland with the Wigtown Bay coastline to the south. There are multiple watercourses within 500m of the scheme extents. Refer to the road drainage and the water environment section.

There are no distinctive cultural landscape or historical landscape features within the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Environment Map there are multiple Ancient Woodlands located within 500m, key woods include the following:

Kirkdale/Ravenshall Woods Ancient Woodland (ID: 37747) is located adjacent to the scheme extents.
Barholm Wood Ancient Woodland (ID: 37769) is located adjacent to the scheme extents.
Kirkdale Glen (ID: 37755) is located adjacent to the scheme extents.

There are no National Scenic Areas (NSAs), Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or any Gardens and Designed Landscapes within 500m of the scheme extents.

A search on Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map has highlighted that the LCT within the scheme extents, along the A75, can be categorised as ‘158 - Coastal Flats - Dumfries & Galloway’ characterised by the following:

Coastal plain;
Estuarine flats;
Intimate coastal parkland;
Coastal moss, and;

Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment (HLA) Map has identified that the land within the scheme extents has been previously used as ‘Managed Woodland’. Many of these woodlands are classed as ancient and consist of a range of broad-leaved species or native pine woods. There is a variety in age and height, texture and colour in these woods.

Visual

Due to sufficient vegetative screening and the rural setting of the scheme extents, only three residential properties are anticipated to have views of the works. These properties are situated adjacent to the A75 carriageway within the scheme area. No other visual receptors have been identified.

Transient visual receptors include road users (motorists, public transport users) travelling along the A75, who will experience brief and intermittent views of the scheme. Typically, the views from the carriageway are pockets of woodland, with agricultural fields in the wider area.

Biodiversity

Protected areas

A desktop study using NatureScot’s online research tool, Sitelink, has identified that the Solway Firth Special Protection Area (SPA) (ID: 10487) is located approximately 302m south of the scheme extents.

Sitelink has also identified that Ravenshall Wood Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), (ID: 1334) is located adjacent to the scheme extents to the south.

All works will be conducted outside the boundaries of this SSSI.

There are no Local or National Nature Reserves located within 200m of the scheme extents.

No Tree Preservation Orders are located within 500m of the scheme extents.

Field survey

An ecological field survey has been scoped out by a qualified ecologist due to the transient nature of the works and their containment within the trunk road boundary, indicating a low likelihood of significant ecological impact.

Invasive plants

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has recorded rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) and common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris), injurious weeds and Transport Scotland (TS) target species along the EB verge of the A75 carriageway within the scheme extents.

No Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) are recorded within 500m of the scheme extents.

Geology and soils

Geology

There are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), Local Geodiversity Sites or any Geological SSSIs that have connectivity or are within 200m of the scheme extents as noted by NatureScot’s Sitelink.

According to Britain’s Geology Viewer, the geology along the A75, within the scheme extents, consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

Cairnharrow Formation - Wacke. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 443.8 and 433.4 million years ago during the Silurian period.

Superficial Deposits

Till, Devensian - Diamicton. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 116 and 11.8 thousand years ago during the Quaternary period.

Soils

According to Scotland’s Soil Map, the component soil within the scheme extents consists of ‘Brown earths’ found on hills and valley sides with steep and strong slopes.

Land use

The national scale land capability for agriculture within the works areas consists of the following:

3 - Land capable of use as improved grassland. Pasture deteriorates quickly.
2 - Land capable of average production though high yields of barley, oats and grass can be obtained. Grass leys are common.

There are no operational landfill sites located within 1km of the scheme extents.

Material assets and waste

Materials

Materials required are detailed within Table 3 below.

Table 3: Key Material Required for Activities

Activity	Materials Required	Sources
Construction	· TS2010 surface course · AC20 bituminous binder · AC32 bituminous base · Fuels and oils · Road paint · Road studs	· TS2010 Surface Course allows a wider array of aggregate sources to be considered when compared to typical Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). As a result, the use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources. · A proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% -15% with up to 10% in surface course. · Some material may be derived from primary resources, such as the road paint

Activity

Materials Required

Sources

Construction

· TS2010 surface course

· AC20 bituminous binder

· AC32 bituminous base

· Fuels and oils

· Road paint

· Road studs

· TS2010 Surface Course allows a wider array of aggregate sources to be considered when compared to typical Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). As a result, the use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources.

· A proportion of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is used in asphalt production. Typical RAP values for base and binder are 10% -15% with up to 10% in surface course.

· Some material may be derived from primary resources, such as the road paint

Materials will be obtained from recycled, secondary, or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions. For example, the binder and base courses used for resurfacing will contain a percentage of recycled material.

Wastes

Coal tar was identified during investigation stages. Anticipated wastes from the proposed works are listed in Table 4 below.

Table 4: Key Waste Produced by Activities

Activity	Waste Produced	Disposal
Construction	· Asphalt planings · Coal tar · Road paint · Road studs	· Uncontaminated road planings arising from the works will be fully recycled under a SEPA Paragraph 13(a) Waste exemption in accordance with guidance on the Production for Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings. · From November 1^st 2025 these exemptions will be phased out in favour of Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR). However, where planings meet SEPA’s criteria, they will be fully recycled. · All special waste, such as coal tar and road paint, must be transport by suitable licenced contractor and must be accompanied by correctly completed special waste consignment note (SWCN) providing information about the waste, the producer and the person the waste is being handed to; the SWCN must be kept for three years, the Site Responsible Manager is responsible for ensuring these are retained onsite.

Activity

Waste Produced

Disposal

Construction

· Asphalt planings

· Coal tar

· Road paint

· Road studs

· Uncontaminated road planings arising from the works will be fully recycled under a SEPA Paragraph 13(a) Waste exemption in accordance with guidance on the Production for Fully Recovered Asphalt Road Planings.

· From November 1^st 2025 these exemptions will be phased out in favour of Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR). However, where planings meet SEPA’s criteria, they will be fully recycled.

· All special waste, such as coal tar and road paint, must be transport by suitable licenced contractor and must be accompanied by correctly completed special waste consignment note (SWCN) providing information about the waste, the producer and the person the waste is being handed to; the SWCN must be kept for three years, the Site Responsible Manager is responsible for ensuring these are retained onsite.

The proposed scheme does not require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as the total value is under £350,000.

Noise and vibration

The scheme is located in a rural area, where the baseline noise levels are primarily influenced by traffic on the A75, with secondary sources from agricultural activities. For the AADF details, please refer to the Air Quality section above.

There are four residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being adjacent to the A75 carriageway along the works area. There are no other noise and vibration receptors within 300m of the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Noise Map, the noise level during daytime hours (L_day) has been recorded to be 63dB at the nearest receptor adjacent to the carriageway and approximately 71dB within the carriageway boundary. The noise level during nighttime hours (L_night) has been recorded to be 60dB at the nearest receptor and 68dB within the carriageway boundary.

The works are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as defined by the Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2019-2023).

Population and human health

The primary land use within the surrounding area is used for agricultural purposes. There are four residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closest being adjacent to the A75 carriageway along the works area. There are no community assets within 300m of the scheme extents. The closest main town, providing community facilities, is Gatehouse of Fleet located 6.6km northeast of the scheme extents.

There are two direct access/egress points located adjacent to the A75 carriageway along the scheme extents. There are also agricultural field direct access points located along the scheme extents, particularly along the westbound carriageway.

There are no Core Paths, National Cycles Network Routes or any bridleways located within 300m of the scheme extents. There are also no footways or any Public Rights of Way (PRoW) located within the scheme extents.

One layby is located adjacent to the scheme extents; this being located at NGR NX 52559 52384. Due to the rural location of the scheme extents, no streetlights or bus stops are present along the A75. However, there are two bus stops located adjacent to the scheme ‘End’ point. These run routes to Dumfries and Stranraer.

Road drainage and the water environment

Surface water

The following watercourses have been classified under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (SEPA’s Water Classification Hub) within 500m of the scheme extents:

Wigtown Bay (ID: 200002) is located approximately 200m south of the scheme extents with an overall good ecological potential.
Bladnoch and Cree Estuary (ID: 200323) is located approximately 139m south of the scheme extents with an overall good ecological potential.

The following unclassified watercourses can be found within 500m:

Kirkdale Glen, an unclassified watercourse, flows through the scheme extents at NGR NX 51702 53007.
Another unclassified watercourse flows through the scheme extents at NGR NX 52757 52409.

Drainage within the scheme extents consists of filter stones along the A75 verges.

Flood risk

Several localised sections within the scheme extents are anticipated to have a high likelihood (10%) of surface water flooding, as indicated by SEPA’s Flood Risk Map. Kirkdale Burn is also subject to a high risk of river flooding, with the affected area extending into the scheme extents.

Groundwater

The groundwater underlying the scheme extents is classified as Galloway groundwater (ID: 150694), which is currently designated as having an overall 'Good' quality under the WFD classification.

The works do not fall within a Scottish Government Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ).

Climate

Carbon Goals

The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, as amended by the Scottish Carbon Budgets Amendment Regulations 2025 sets out the statutory framework for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Scotland. The prior annual and interim targets have been replaced by five-year carbon budgets, which sets limits on the amount of GHGs that can be emitted in Scotland.

The proposed carbon budgets are aligned with advice from the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC) and calculated in accordance with the 2009 Act. The 2025 Regulations define the baseline years for emissions reductions as 1990 for greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and 1995 for others such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride (as set out in Section 11 of the Act). The budgets are as follows:

2026 - 2030: Average emissions to be 57% lower than baseline.
2031 - 2035: Average emissions to be 69% lower than baseline.
2036 - 2040: Average emissions to be 80% lower than baseline
2041 - 2045: Average emissions to be 94% lower than baseline.

These budgets are legally binding and will be supported by a new Climate Change Plan, which will outline the specific policies and actions required to meet the targets.

Transport Scotland remains committed to reducing carbon across Scotland’s transport network, this commitment is being enacted through the Mission Zero for Transport. Transport is the largest contributor to harmful climate emissions in Scotland, and Transport Scotland are committed to reducing their emissions by 75% by 2030 and to a legally binding target of net-zero by 2045.

Amey’s Company Wide Carbon Goal is to achieve Scope 1 and 2 net-zero carbon emissions, with a minimum of 80% absolute reduction on our emissions by 2035. Amey is aiming to be fully net-zero, including Scope 3 emissions, by 2040.

Amey are working towards a contractual commitment to have carbon neutral depots on the South West Network Management Contract (SW NMC) network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the SW NMC contract as a whole to be net-zero carbon by 2032.

Policies and Plans

This Record of Determination (RoD) has been undertaken in accordance with Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (RSA EIA Regulations) along with Transport Scotland’s Environmental Impact Assessment Guidance (Guidance – Environmental Impact Assessments for road projects (transport.gov.scot)). Relevant guidance, policies and plans accompanied with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB)) LA 101 and LA 104 were used to form this assessment.

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