The Scottish Ministers give notice that they have determined that the project for the installation of weather sensors on the Forth Road Bridge is a relevant project within the meaning of section 55A of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (“the 1984 Act”) and falls within Annex II of Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of certain public and private projects on the environment, but that having regard to –

(a) the selection criteria contained in Annex III of that Directive, namely

(i) the production of waste;

(ii) pollution and nuisances;

(iii) areas classified or protected under national legislation; Natura 2000 areas designated by Member States pursuant to Directive 92/43/EEC and Directive 2009/147/EC;

(iv) coastal zones and the marine environment;

(v) landscapes and sites of historical, cultural or archaeological significance.

(b) the results of the Environmental Screening Assessment under section 55A(2) of the 1984 Act and Assessment under regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (“the 1994 Regulations”) have determined that with mitigation measures, there would be no likely significant effects on the Firth of Forth and Forth Islands Special Protection Areas and Site of Special Scientific Interest,

(c) the information set out in the Record of Determination dated 31 March 2020, available at https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/47666/record-of-determination-forth-road-bridge-weather-sensor-installation.pdf, the project does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The main reasons for the conclusion that no Environmental Impact Assessment is required are:

(a) Works are contained within/on an exclusively man-made structure;

(b) A Marine Licence has been obtained for all maintenance works on the Forth Road Bridge;

(c) The City of Edinburgh Council and Fife Council have been consulted relating to works on a listed structure;

(d) The 1994 Regulations Assessment determined that with mitigation measures, there would be no likely significant effects on the environmentally sensitive sites.

The features of the project which are envisaged to avoid or prevent significant adverse effects on the environment are:

(a)The Marine Licence conditions will be adhered to at all times;

(b) Pollution prevention measures and best practice will be adhered to at all times;

(c) The waste hierarchy will be applied to all waste arisings.

H Gillies

A member of the staff of the Scottish Ministers

Transport Scotland, Roads, Buchanan House, 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow G4 0HF