Description of main environmental impacts and proposed mitigation

Air quality

Impacts

TM implemented during the scheme may result in an increase in vehicle emissions through idling vehicles and increased congestion. This may result in a temporary deterioration in local air quality.
During construction activities, such as removal of old road surface, there is the potential for an increase in particulate matter, dust and emissions from plant and machinery that will cause a nuisance to nearby receptors. This is also likely to cause a slight deterioration in air quality within the local area. These impacts will last for the duration of the works only.
Post construction there will be no change to the traffic volume, speed or road alignment as works are like-for-like.
All identified impacts will be temporary, lasting only for the duration of the works, with no lasting change expected in air quality.

Mitigation

The following best practice as outlined in the Guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction (2024) published by the Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM), which includes the following mitigation relevant to this scheme will be followed:
- All vehicles will switch off engines when stationary; there will be no idling vehicles.
- Site layout will be planned (including plant, vehicles and Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)) so that machinery and dust causing activities are located away from receptors, as far as reasonably practicable.
- All plant and fuel-requiring equipment utilised during construction will be well maintained in order to minimise emissions.
- Planing operations will be wetted to reduce dust arising.
- Drop heights to haulage vehicles will be minimised where practicable.
- Lorries will be sheeted when carrying dry materials.
- Surfaces will be swept where loose material remains following planing.
Green driving techniques will be adopted, and effective route preparation and planning undertaken prior to works.
Surfaces will be swept where loose material remains following planing
Plant, vehicles and NRMM will be regularly maintained, paying attention to the integrity of exhaust systems to ensure such fuel operated equipment is not generating excessive fumes.

No significant effects are predicted on air quality. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 105: Air Quality no further assessment is required.

Landscape and visual effects

Impacts

The works will have a temporary and short-term impact on the landscape during construction due to the presence of HGVs, plant and machinery. As the works are minor and operating on a like-for-like basis, no permanent changes to landscape features are predicted.
Due to nighttime programming, misdirected site lighting may cause disturbance to nearby visual receptors.
Views of and from the A78 carriageway will be temporarily affected during construction due to the presence of works, TM and plant.

Mitigation

Temporary site lighting used throughout the scheme will be directional and pointed only at the area of works.
Plant, vehicles, materials etc. will be contained to hardstanding areas within the carriageway boundary (as far as reasonably practicable).
Throughout all stages of the works, the site will be kept clean and tidy, with materials, equipment, plant and wastes appropriately stored, reducing the landscape and visual effects as much as possible.

With mitigation measures and best practice in place, it is anticipated that any landscape and visual effects associated with the resurfacing works are unlikely to be significant. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 107: Landscape and Visual Effects, no further assessment is required.

Biodiversity

Impacts

An increase in noise levels and misdirected site lighting has the potential to disturb any protected species nearby.
Works will be confined to the carriageway boundary, involving like-for-like carriageway resurfacing with no earthworks to avoid spread of any INNS. Should this not be possible, and there is any disturbance to the verge of the A78, works have the potential to cause the spread of Transport Scotland target species rosebay willowherb and common ragwort.

Mitigation

Due to nighttime programming, where lighting is required, hoods will be used and lights directed at works and away from ecological receptors including any watercourses, to minimise disturbance to nocturnal species.
In the unlikely event that a protected species is noticed on site, works will be temporarily suspended until the animal has moved on. Any sightings will be reported to the ET&S Team.
Vehicles and materials will not be stored or parked on grass verges where possible. Where damage occurs, the reinstatement of the grass verge will be carried out.
‘Soft start’ techniques will be utilised with noise heavy equipment/plant/machinery in order to avoid disturbance to any potential noise sensitive species present in the area.
As part of the NMC, Amey, on behalf of transport Scotland, has been asked to keep a record of various target species, including rosebay willowherb and common ragwort. Works will not be carried out in the carriageway verge. If this is not possible and works are likely to result in the spread of this species through disturbance, the Amey’s Landscaping Team will be consulted.

With the above mitigation measures and best practice being adhered to, no significant effects on biodiversity are anticipated. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 108: Biodiversity, no further assessment is required.

Material assets and waste

Impacts

Transportation and recovery of materials/waste will require energy deriving from fossil fuel, a non-renewable source.
The design life for the TS2010 surfacing proposed is estimated to be 20 years. This will reduce the requirement for maintenance to this section of road over the period.
The works will result in contribution to resource depletion through use of virgin materials.
There will be an increase in waste to landfill should waste materials not be recycled or reused.

Mitigation

Materials will be derived from recycled, secondary or re-used origin as far as practicable within the design specifications to reduce natural resource depletion and associated emissions.
Materials will be delivered on site when required, rather than stockpiled.
The Contractor will comply with all ‘Duty of Care’ requirements, ensuring that any surplus materials or wastes are stored, transported, treated, used, and disposed of safely without endangering human health or harming the environment. All waste transfer notes and/or waste exemption certificates will also be completed and retained.
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.
Use of TS2010 will reduce the usage of imported aggregates and increase the use of a wider range of sustainable aggregate sources thus reducing GHG emissions.
All special waste, such as road planings containing coal tar, will be transport by suitable licenced contractor and will 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 will be kept for three years, the Site Responsible Manager is responsible for ensuring these are retained onsite.
All waste leaving the site will be removed from site by a licence waste carrier. All waste documentation will be provided when requested.
This scheme is in excess of £350k and therefore requires a Site Waste Management Plan.

It has been determined that the proposed project will not have direct or indirect significant effects on the consumption of material assets or creation of waste. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 110: Material Assets and Waste, no further assessment is required.

Noise and vibration

Impacts

There may be an increase in noise levels during construction due to the use of heavy plant and machinery and an increase in HGVs.
TS2010 road surfacing is shown to have superior durability and noise reducing features compared to standard road surfacing mixes. Vehicle travellers and nearby receptors will benefit from the improved road surfacing as a result of the scheme.
Works will likely be undertaken during nighttime programming. As such, any residential properties within 300m may experience temporary disturbance due to an increase in noise and vibration levels.
There are no anticipated permanent impacts on noise and vibration following the completion of works.
TM may cause an increase in noise and vibration level due to idling vehicles and potential congestion.

Mitigation

Due to nighttime programming, Amey’s Energy Transition & Sustainability Team has notified North Ayrshire Council in advance of the works.
A letter drop will be delivered to residents within 300m to notify them of upcoming works, timings and duration.
Effects from noise will be kept to a minimum through the use of appropriate mufflers and silencers fitted to machinery. All exhaust silencers will be checked at regular intervals to ensure efficiency.
Unnecessary revving of engines will be avoided and equipment switched off when not in use.
Drop heights of materials will be minimised.
‘Soft start’ techniques will be utilised with noise heavy equipment/plant/machinery in order to avoid disturbance.
On-site construction tasks will be programmed to be as efficient as possible, with a view to limiting noise disruption to local sensitive receptors. The noisiest works will be undertaken before 23:00 where possible.
Amey’s environmental briefing, Noise and Vibration will be delivered to site operatives prior to construction.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, and due to the works being of a minor, temporary, transient nature, no significant effects are predicted for noise and vibration. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 111: Noise and Vibration no further assessment is required.

Population and human health

Impacts

TM has potential to cause temporary levels of disruption to road users (i.e. congestion and increased travel times). 
There will be no impact on land take from private land and/or community facilities as a result of the scheme.
Due to nighttime programming, construction site lighting during nighttime hours could cause disturbance for residential properties in close proximity, and for the nearby amenity users.
Access to the residential properties and community assets identified will not be impacted by the works as there are no access/egress point to these receptors.
Core path IK27 and national cycleway 73 will not be impacted by the works.

Mitigation

TM restrictions/arrangements and any expected travel delays will be publicised within the local and wider area, in an effort to minimise disturbance to vehicular travellers.
Temporary site lighting used throughout the scheme will be directional and pointed only at the area of works.
Any change of schedule will be communicated to local residents throughout the work programme.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, no significant effects associated with Population and Human Health are predicted. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 112: Population and Human Health no further assessment is required.

Road drainage and the water environment

Impacts

If not adequately controlled, debris and run off from the works could be suspended in the surface water and coastal water. In the event of a flooding incident, this debris may be mobilised and could enter the road drainage having a detrimental effect on the surrounding local water environment, such as the Garnock/ Irvine Estuary or Penny Burn.
Potential for spills, leaks or seepage of fuels and oils associated with plant to escape and reach drainage systems and watercourses if not controlled, which may adversely impact the water environment.
Should flooding occur, this may delay the scheduled works.

Mitigation

All debris which has the potential to be suspended in surface water and wash into the local water environment will be cleaned from the site following the works.
Debris and dust generated as a result of the works will be prevented from entering the drainage system. This can be via the use of drain covers or similar.
Appropriate measures will be implemented onsite to prevent any potential pollution to the natural water environment (e.g., debris, dust, and hazardous substances). This will include spill kits being present onsite at all times, and the use of funnels and drip trays when transferring fuel etc.
The control room will be contacted if any pollution incidences (24 hours, 7 days a week).
Visual pollution inspections of the working area will be conducted in frequency, especially during heavy rainfall and wind.
Weather reports will be monitored prior and during all construction activities. In the event of adverse weather/flooding events, all activities will temporarily stop, and only reconvene when deemed safe to do so, and run-off/drainage can be adequately controlled to prevent pollution.
Site operatives will be given the Water Pollution Prevention toolbox talk prior to works.

Providing all works operate in accordance with current best practice, no significant effects are predicted on the water environment. In accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 113: Road drainage and the water environment, no further assessment is required.

Climate

Impacts

GHG emissions will be emitted through the use of machinery, vehicles and materials used (containing recycled and virgin materials) and transporting to and from site.

Mitigation

Local suppliers will be used as far as reasonably practicable to reduce travel time and GHG emitted as part of the works.
Vehicles/plant will not be left on when not in use to minimise and prevent unnecessary emissions.
Further actions and considerations for this scheme are detailed in the above Material assets and waste section.

With best practice mitigation measures in place, the residual significance of effect on climate is considered to be neutral. Therefore, in accordance with DMRB Guidance document LA 114: Climate, no further assessment is required.

Vulnerability of the project to risks

As the works will be limited to the like-for-like resurfacing of the carriageway, there will be no change in vulnerability of the road to risk, or in severity of major accidents/disasters that would impact on the environment.

It has been determined that the project is not expected to alter the vulnerability of the existing trunk road infrastructure to risk of major accidents or disasters.

Assessment cumulative effects

According to Amey’s Current Works Schedule and the Scottish Road Works Commissioner, there are no works scheduled to be carried out within the proposed works time and location.

North Ayrshire Council’s Planning Portal also does not indicate any scheduled works that will be carried out the proposed works location and time.

Any future schemes will be programmed to take into account already programmed works, and as such any effect (such as from TM arrangements and potential construction noise) will be limited.

Overall, it is unlikely that the proposed works will have a significant cumulative effect with any other proposed works in the local area. Considering the nature and scale of the maintenance works being undertaken, no in combination effects are anticipated.

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