Description of local environment

Air quality

This scheme is located along a heavily urbanised section of the A90, through Dundee in Dundee City. The immediate scheme extents are bordered by vegetation and mature trees in areas. Where this vegetation is not present, particularly towards the middle and end point of the scheme, industry buildings and business line the carriageway. The wider surrounding area is primarily characterised by a mix of business premises, industrial zones, and residential properties.

There are approximately 100 residential properties located within 200m of the scheme extents, the closest being located 22m north along Bank Avenue. Other sensitive air quality receptors include the following:

• Dundee City West WFC located approximately 35m north of the scheme extents.
• Dundee Ice Arena located approximately 153m northwest of the scheme extents.
• Premier Inn Dundee North Hotel located approximately 119m north of the scheme extents.

Baseline air quality is predominantly influenced by traffic travelling along the A90 road network. Manual count point 10803, located within the scheme extents along the A90, shows that in 2024, the Annual Average Daily Flow (AADF) for all motor vehicles was 43,609 with 3,084 of these being Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).

Dundee City Council have declared one Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) encapsulating the entire city. Dundee City AQMA has declared Nitrogen dioxide NO₂ and amended Particulate Matter PM₁₀ and Nitrogen dioxide NO₂.

There are no sites registered on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) located within 1km of the scheme extents. Additionally, there are no Air Quality Monitoring Stations located within 200m of the works area.

Cultural heritage

A desk-based assessment has been undertaken using Pastmap online mapping tool. The study area covered a 300m area for designated cultural heritage assets and a 200m area 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

Name	Reference Number	Description	Distance from Scheme
Kingsway West Camperdown Van Leer Factory (Formerly Ncr)	LB25381	Listed Building – Category B	Approx. 110m northwest of the scheme extents
353 Kingsway	LB49863	Listed Building – Category B	Approx. 160m northeast of the scheme extents

Table 2: Non- Designated Cultural Heritage Assets

Name	Reference Number	Description	Distance from Scheme
Dundee, Downfield, Kingsway	207505	Canmore - Pillbox (20th Century)	Approx. 30m east of the scheme extents
Dundee, 353 Kingsway	267535	Canmore - House (20th Century)	Approx. 160m northeast of the scheme extents
Dundee, Kirkton	70498	Canmore - General View (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 130m north of the scheme extents
Dundee, Fairmuir Special School (Site Of)	191988	Canmore - School (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 47m north of the scheme extents
Dundee, Kingsway West, Kingsway Ice Rink	70481	Canmore - Skating Rink (20th Century), Sports Centre (20th Century)	Approx. 53m south of the scheme extents
Dundee, Downfield	161417	Canmore - Anti Aircraft Battery (20th Century)	Approx. 170m north of the scheme extents
King's Cross, Dundee	31935	Canmore - Cairn(S) (Period Unassigned), Cist(S) (Period Unassigned), Long Cist Cemetery (Early Medieval), Mound (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 29m north of the scheme extents
Dundee, Kingsway, Wm. Low Headquarters	70487	Canmore - Building(S) (20th Century)	Approx. 71m north of the scheme extents
Pitalpin	31944	Canmore - Battle Site (Early Medieval) (Possible)	Approx. 150m north of the scheme extents
Dundee, Dunsinane Industrial Estate, Kinnoull Road, Factory Unit	150824	Canmore - Factory (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 43m south of the scheme extents
Dundee, Kingsway West, Valentine's Greetings Card Factory	150823	Canmore - Factory (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 66m south of the scheme extents
Kingsway West, Dundee	31957	Canmore - Findspot (20th Century), Polished Axehead (Stone)(Neolithic)	Approx. 33m north of the scheme extents
Dundee, Camperdown, Kingsway West, Van Leer Factory Pavilion	316926	Canmore - Pavilion (Period Unassigned)	Approx. 140m northwest of the scheme extents
Dundee, Kingsway West, N.C.R. Works	70495	Canmore - Works (20th Century)	Approx. 170m west of the scheme extents

As works are like-for-like structural inlays with no breaking of ground or excavation, there will be no impact on any identified cultural heritage assets. Therefore, cultural heritage has been scoped out of further assessment.

Landscape and visual effects

The immediate scheme extents are bordered by vegetation and mature trees in areas. Where this vegetation is not present, particularly towards the middle and end point of the scheme, industry buildings and businesses line the carriageway. The wider surrounding area is primarily characterised by a mix of business premises, industrial zones, and residential properties. No watercourses are located within 500m. There are also no ponds located within 250m.

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

According to Scotland’s Environment Map, Gallowhill/Cawmill Woods Ancient Woodland, (ID: 20343), is located 166m north of the scheme extents. Camperdown House Garden and Designed Landscape, (ID: 20343), is also located 166m north of the scheme extents.

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

Scotland’s Historic Land Use Assessment (HLA) Map has identified that the land within the scheme extents has been previously used as ‘Motorway and Major Roads’. There are no direct causes of historic land contamination from these works. 

A search on Scotland’s Landscape Character Type (LCT) Map has highlighted that the LCT within the scheme extents, along the A90, can be categorised as ‘0 – Urban’.

The following Core Paths can be found within 300m of the scheme extents:

• Core Path 5 crosses over the scheme extents at NGR NO 37329 32634.
• Core Path 12 runs adjacent to the scheme extents along the southbound carriageway.
• Core Path 37 crosses over the scheme extents at NGR NO 38513 32699 where it then connects to Core Path 13 at NGR NO 38549 32635.
• Core Path 4 is located approximately 44m south of the scheme extents.

The views from the carriageway are mostly of vegetation. Where trees are absent, the bordering businesses and residential properties can be seen.

Due to the lack of vegetation bordering the carriageway in large sections, multiple residential properties, industrial zones and recreational areas such as Dundee City West WFC, are expected to experience views of the works. Users of the core paths listed above may also experience views of the works.

Biodiversity

A desktop study using NatureScot’s online research tool, Sitelink, has not highlighted any European designated sites, that have connectivity or are located within 2km of the scheme extents. There are also no national designations, such as Sites of Special Scientific interest (SSSI), within 200m of the scheme extents.

The following Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) and target species have been recorded within 500m of the scheme extents as noted by the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas:

• Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium)
• Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)
• Broad leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius)
• Japanese rose (Rosa rugosa)
• Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica)

Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) has identified common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) and rosebay willowherb along the verge of the A90 carriageway within the scheme extents.

The scheme and the surrounding habitat have been reviewed by a senior ecologist utilising desktop resources. As a result, the need for a field survey was scoped out due to the nature of the works and due to the fact that all works will be restricted to the existing carriageway boundary.

Geology and soils

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.

There is no soil data available within the scheme extents according to Scotland’s Soils Map, this is likely due to the scheme locations urbanised, built-up nature. The national land capability for agriculture within the scheme extents can be categorised a ‘urban’.

A search on Britain’s Geology Map has identified that the geology within the scheme extents along the A90 carriageway consists of the following:

Bedrock Geology

• Dundee Flagstone Formation - Sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 419.2 and 393.3 million years ago during the Devonian period.

Superficial Deposits

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

As the works will be like-for-like resurfacing of previously engineered layers, it has been determined that the proposed project does not carry the potential to cause direct or indirect impact to geology or soils. As such, impact has been assessed as being ‘no change’ and has been scoped out of requiring further assessment.

Material assets and waste

The proposed scheme does require a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) as the total value is over £350,000.

Tables 3 and 4 below outline the materials required for the scheme and waste expected to be produced during the works.

Coal tar was identified during the investigation phase; however, it is located at a depth that will remain undisturbed.

Table 3: Key Materials Required for Activities

Activity	Materials Required	Sources
Construction	· TS2010 Surface Course · AC20 Bituminous Binder · AC32 Bituminous Base · White lining · Road studs and paint · Fuels and oils	· 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.

Table 4: Key Waste Produced by Activities

Activity	Waste Produced	Disposal
Construction	· Asphalt planings · Old road studs and paint	· Uncontaminated road planings generated as a result of the required works, will be fully recycled in accordance with the criteria stipulated within the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) document ‘Guidance on the Production of Fully Recoverable Asphalt Road Planings. · At this time surfacing may be planed and reused in-situ, ex-situ or recovered as a feedstock in the manufacture of new surfacing material or other products. · Paint will be disposed of as special waste.

Noise and vibration

The wider surrounding area is primarily characterised by a mix of business premises, industrial zones, and residential properties.

There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closes being located 22m north along Bank Avenue. Other sensitive noise and vibration receptors include the following:

• Dundee City West WFC located approximately 35m north of the scheme extents.
• Dundee Ice Arena located approximately 153m northwest of the scheme extents.
• Premier Inn Dundee North Hotel located approximately 119m north of the scheme extents.
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service located approximately 209m north of the scheme extents.
• Scottish Ambulance Service, East Regional Headquarters located 262m north of the scheme extents.

Scotland’s Noise Map has recorded that the noise level (Lden) during daytime hours, within the scheme extents, ranges from approximately 63dB to 75dB. During nighttime hours, the noise level (Lnight) within the scheme extents has been recorded to range from 61dB to 71dB.

Baseline noise and vibration is predominantly influenced by traffic travelling along the road network with secondary sources from industrial and residential activities. Manual count point 10803, located within the scheme extents along the A90, shows that in 2024, the AADF for all motor vehicles was 43,609 with 3,084 of these being HGVs.

The works do not fall within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) as highlighted by Transport Scotland’s Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) (2019-2023).

Population and human health

Due to the like-for-like, transient and short-term nature of the works, an area of 300m has been investigated to determine the population and human health baseline.

The land surrounding the scheme extents is predominantly used for business, community and residential purposes. There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the scheme extents, the closes being located 22m north along Bank Avenue. Other sensitive community facilities and assets of note include the following:

• Dundee City West WFC located approximately 35m north of the scheme extents.
• Dundee Ice Arena located approximately 153m northwest of the scheme extents.
• Premier Inn Dundee North Hotel located approximately 119m north of the scheme extents.
• Scottish Fire and Rescue Service located approximately 209m north of the scheme extents.
• Scottish Ambulance Service, East Regional Headquarters located 262m north of the scheme extents.

There are no direct access/egress points to any residential properties or community facilities within the scheme extents. However, there are multiple access areas that connect residential estates.

The following Core Paths can be found within 300m of the scheme extents:

• Core Path 5 crosses over the scheme extents at NGR NO 37329 32634.
• Core Path 12 runs adjacent to the scheme extents along the southbound carriageway.
• Core Path 37 crosses over the scheme extents at NGR NO 38513 32699 where it then connects to Core Path 13 at NGR NO 38549 32635.
• Core Path 4 is located approximately 44m south of the scheme extents.

There are no National Cycle Network Routes or any bridleways located within 300m of the scheme extents.

There are no footways, bus stops, Public Rights of Way (PRoW) or any laybys located within the scheme extents. Streetlights border either side of the A90 carriageway within the scheme extents.

Road drainage and the water environment

According to SEPA’s Water Classification Hub, there are no classified watercourses located within 500m of the scheme extents. There are also no unclassified watercourses within 500m or any ponds within 250m of the works.

SEPA’s Flood Risk Map has highlighted that there are some areas within the scheme extents that are susceptible to a medium to high (0.5-10%) chance of surface water flooding.

Groundwater within the scheme extents consists of Dundee groundwater, (ID: 150624), and Sidlaw Hills groundwater, (ID: 150601), both of which have an overall good quality according to the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

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

Drainage within the scheme extents consists of gullies.

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 NE NMC network by 2028. Amey have set carbon goals for the NE 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.