Description of Local Environment

Air Quality

The scheme is located along the M8 in Glasgow City centre surrounded by industrial parks and residential properties. There are over 100 residential properties located within 200m of the works, the closest one being approx. 90m east from the carriageway. Non-residential air quality receptors within 200m include:

  • Cardonald Park / St Anthony's Football Club located approx. 95m east from the works; and
  • Queensland Community Park located approx. 145m south from the works.

Glasgow City Council has declared one Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) located approx. 4.4km northeast from the scheme extents. There are no air quality monitoring sites located within 200m of the works.

Baseline air quality is likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic along the M8 carriageway. The closest manual count point along the M8 (80219) records that the Annual Average Daily Flow of Traffic (AADF) in 2024 for all motor vehicles along the M8 was 145,760 with 5,146 of those being Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs).

The Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) has identified the following SPRI’s within 1km of the scheme:

  • Glasgow Royal Infirmary located approx. 450m north from the works. This SPRI is described as being within the ‘Energy Sector’ and releases pollutants such as Carbon Dioxide; and
  • Princes Beverage distributor located approx. 600m north from the works. This SPRI is described as within the animal and vegetable products from the food and beverage sector and releases pollutants such as Nitrogen oxides, NO and NO2.

Cultural Heritage

A desk-based assessment was undertaken using Pastmap. A study area of 300m was used for designated cultural heritage assets and an area of 200m was used for non-designated cultural heritage assets. See Table 1 and Table 2 below for full details.

Table 1: Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 300m
Name Reference Number Description Distance from Scheme
470, 480, 490, 500 And 510 Shieldhall Road, Hardgate Road, Luma Tower LB33308 Listed Building (category B) 130m north.
Table 2: Non-Designated Cultural Heritage Assets within 200m
Name Reference Number Description Distance from Scheme
470, 480, 490, 500 And 510 Shieldhall Road, Hardgate Road, Luma Light Factory N/A Canmore and Historical Environmental record (HER) 130m north.
Govan Burgh Survey 1441 HER 80m north
Desk-Based Assessment and Field Survey: Glasgow Airport Rail Link Environmental Statement / Archaeology And Cultural Heritage 3305 HER 50m south
Glasgow, Moss Road, Cardonald Station 163835 & 73263 Canmore and HER 55m south
Glasgow, 81-7 Meiklewood Road, Clydesdale Engineering Works 144505 HER 20m north

Landscape and Visual Effects

The scheme is located along the M8 within an area predominantly characterised by industrial land use, with some residential properties situated adjacent to the carriageway approx. 90m east. The primary views from the scheme are dominated by vegetation lining both sides of the road thus providing screening for the properties in question. Whilst no residential properties directly adjacent will have direct visibility of the works, residents on the upper floors of nearby high-rise flats may have partial views of the construction. Although the scheme contains no footpaths, one core path (C154D) crosses it along the A739. Users of this route will have views over the scheme extents.

According to Scotland’s Environmental Web, there are no ancient woodlands or Tree Preservation Orders (TPO)’s located within 500m of the works. The scheme is not located within a National Park (NP) or National Scenic Area (NSA).

The Scottish Landscape Character Type (LCT) Assessment Map highlights the landscape within the scheme extents as Urban.

According to the Historic Landscape Assessment (HLA) Map, the landscape surrounding the scheme extents comprises of recreation areas, motorway and major roads and industrial or commercial areas.

Biodiversity

NatureScot’s Sitelink resource does not highlight any European designated Sites designated for nature conservation (i.e. Special Protection Areas (SPA), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), or Ramsar Sites) located within 2km or with connectivity with the scheme extents. Sitelink has not identified the presence of national designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) or Local Nature Reserves) within 1km of the scheme extents.

The National Biodiversity Networks (NBN) Atlas and Amey’s SW database has not highlighted any protected species within 500m of the scheme extents.

The NBN Atlas has not highlighted any Invasive-Non-Native Species (INNS) within the verge of the scheme extents however, this resource has highlighted the following species present within 500m of the works:

  • Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica);
  • Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera); and
  • Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum).

A search of Transport Scotland’s Asset Management Performance System (AMPS) online mapping tool has highlighted the target species rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium) present along the M8 carriageway verge.

The scheme and the surrounding habitat have been reviewed by a senior ecologist utilising desktop resource, and, in turn, a site visit was scoped out. The transient nature of the works combined with the requirement of the majority of the works to be contained within the pavement boundary has allowed for this conclusion.

Geology and Soils

NatureScot’s SiteLink resource notes there are no Geological Conservation Review Sites (GCRS), or geological SSSIs or Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) within 500m of scheme extents.

The British Geology Viewer notes the soil geology within the scheme extents consists of the following: 

Superficial deposits 

  • Superficial Deposits - Sediment. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.
  • River Terrace Deposits - Gravel, sand and silt. Sedimentary superficial deposit formed between 2.588 million years ago and the present during the Quaternary period.

Bedrock geology 

  • Limestone Coal Formation - Sedimentary rock cycles, clackmannan group type. Sedimentary bedrock formed between 329 and 328 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.

Scotland’s Soil Map does not highlight any data regarding soil type within the scheme extents due to the urban nature of the works location.

Material Assets and Waste

Please see below for materials and wastes required.

Key materials required for construction

  • TS2010 Surface Course; 
  • AC20 Bituminous Binder; 
  • AC32 Bituminous Base;
  • Vehicle fuel;
  • Road marking materials; 
  • Road studs;
  •  Oil;
  • Lubricant;
  • New Signs/sign posts;
  • New VRS terminal; and
  • Concrete for signs

Origin/content

  • 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 
  • 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. 
  • All of the materials listed will contain a % of recycled material. The rest will come from primary sources. 
  • A concrete mix using cement replacement products is proposed.

Key wastes arising from construction

  • Road planings (inert bituminous materials);
  • Vegetation from siding out;
  • Old VRS terminal;
  • Road paint; and
  • Old road studs.

Disposal/regulation

  • Following on-site coring investigations and testing, no coal-tar was identified within the surfacing of the carriageway within the scheme extent.
  • 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.
  • Due to the general size, nature and cost of the scheme, a Site Waste Management Plan (SWMP) will be required for the scheme

Noise and Vibration

The scheme is located along the M8 carriageway in Glasgow City centre surrounded by industrial parks and residential properties. There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the works, the closest one being approx. 90m east from the carriageway. The following non-residential noise sensitive receptors within 300m include:

  • Cardonald Park / St Anthony's Football Club located approx. 95m east from the works; and
  • Queensland Community Park located approx. 145m south from the works.

Baseline noise is likely to be influenced by vehicle traffic along the M8 carriageway. The closest manual count point along the M8 (80219) records that the AADF in 2024 for all motor vehicles along the M8 was 145,760 with 5,146 of those being HGVs. The volume and composition of this traffic particularly the presence of HGVs are key contributors to baseline ambient noise levels within the scheme extents.

According to the Transportation Noise Action Plan (TNAP) 2019-2023 and Glasgow Agglomeration – Noise Action Plan, the scheme extents are not located within a Candidate Noise Management Area (CNMA) suggesting that the area is not currently prioritised for strategic noise mitigation.

According to Scotland Noise Map, existing noise levels within the scheme extents range from approximately 67 dB to 80 dB (Lday) during daytime hours and from 60 dB to 73 dB (Lnight) at night. At the nearest identified receptor, baseline noise is recorded at around 67 dB during the day and 58 dB during the night, providing a representative indication of current acoustic conditions in the area. 

Population and Human Health

A 300m study area was undertaken due to the like-for-like nature of the works. The scheme is located along the M8 carriageway in Glasgow City centre surrounded by industrial parks and residential properties. There are over 100 residential properties located within 300m of the works, the closest one being approx. 90m east from the carriageway. The following community facilities are present within 300m:

  • Cardonald Park / St Anthony's Football Club located approx. 95m east from the works;
  • Queensland Community Park located approx. 145m south from the works; and
  • Cardonald Train Station located approx. 100m south from the works.

According to Core Path Plan Scotland there is one core path (C154D) that runs over the scheme along the A739. There are no footpaths located adjacent to, or within the scheme extents and no National Cycle Routes or bridleways located within 300m of the scheme extents.

While the M8 carriageway is well-served by public transport infrastructure, there are no bus stops located within the scheme extents. Street lighting is present throughout the scheme extents, supporting visibility and safety during evening hours. There are no designated laybys along this section of the road, however there is one slip road located within the scheme extents that leads to the A739 carriageway. The closest agricultural land is located approx. 2km east from the works.

Road Drainage and the Water Environment

According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s Water Classification Hub there are no watercourses designated under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) located within 500m of the works. The Clyde Estuary - Inner (inc. Cart) (ID: 200510) is located approx. 600m north and has a ‘Moderate’ ecological potential under the WFD.

According to SEPA Flood Maps there is no evidence of the scheme extents being susceptible to flooding.

The underlying groundwater body is identified as Govan Sand and Gravel (ID: 150779), which is classified as having ‘Poor’ overall ecological potential under the WFD.

Surface water runoff along the M8 carriageway is managed via roadside gullies positioned on either side of the carriageway. Additionally, the scheme area is not located within a designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

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.