Statement of case in support of a Determination that a statutory EIA is not required

This is a relevant project in terms of section 55A(16) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 as it is a project for the improvement of a road and the completed works (together with any area occupied by apparatus, equipment, machinery, materials, plant, spoil heaps, or other such facilities or stores required during the period of construction) is situated within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park which is a sensitive area within the meaning of regulation 2(1) of the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999.

The project has been subject to screening using the Annex III criteria to determine whether a formal Environmental Impact Assessment is required under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (as amended by The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. Screening using Annex III criteria, reference to consultations undertaken and review of available information has not identified the need for a statutory EIA.

The project will not have significant effects on the environment by virtue of factors such as:

Characteristics of the scheme

  • Works are restricted to like-for-like replacement of worn road surface and drainage works, with all works restricted to the A83 carriageway boundary.
  • Construction activities are restricted to 931m and 752m long sections along the A83 trunk road, with a working area of 0.55ha and 0.45ha respectively.
  • The works will be temporary, transient, localised, and will be completed over a rolling programme over 25 nights during night-time hours.
  • Works are not expected to result in significant disturbance to nearby receptors or protected species that may be present in the wider area.
  • The risk of major accidents or disasters is considered to be low.
  • Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste.
  • By removing the carriageway defects this will provide this part of the A83 carriageway with another life cycle, and significantly improve the ride quality, which will result in safer conditions for road users.
  • No impacts to the environment are expected during the operational phase as a result of works. The works are expected to result in positive impacts on road users during the operational phase.
  • As the works will be limited to the like-for-like replacement of the structural components, there is no change to the vulnerability of the road to the risk or severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact the environment.

Location of the scheme

  • The scheme will be located within the existing A83 road boundary and as such, no land take will be required.
  • The scheme is located within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, no change to the qualifying features of the park is expected due to the nature of the works.
  • The Loch Lomond Woods SAC is located approximately 460m northeast from the scheme. HRA confirmed no LSE on designated features of the SAC.
  • A number of residential and commercial properties lie within 300m of the scheme with closest of these having no screening. The works will have mitigation in place to minimise impacts on the nearby receptors.
  • The site compound will be located on made ground.
  • There are no Cultural Heritage features of licensable nature located within, or connected to, the scheme extents. It is considered likely that construction of the A83 trunk road would have removed any archaeological remains that may previously have been present.

Characteristics of potential impacts of the scheme

  • Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.
  • Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste.
  • Residual impacts are considered to be beneficial for the travelling public which may use this stretch of carriageway. In addition, improved road surface will reduce the noise levels from travelling public and in turn will reduce disruption to the receptor located in proximity to the scheme.
  • The SEMP will include plans to address environmental incidents.
  • Mitigation measures detailed above and in the SEMP will be in place with the objective to prevent and, if required, subsequently control any potential impacts on sensitive receptors.
  • In the event that INNS are found on site, measures to prevent potential INNS spread will be implemented.
  • No on-combination effects have been identified.