The Scottish Ministers give notice that they have determined that the project to undertake maintenance works on the A9000 Forth Road Bridge is a relevant project within the meaning of section 55A of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (“the 1984 Act”) as the works fall 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 use of natural resources, in particular land, soil, water and biodiversity;

(ii) the production of waste;

(iii) pollution and nuisances;

(iv) the risks to human health (for example due to water contamination or air pollution);

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

(vi) 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 the Assessment under regulation 48 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (“the 1994 Regulations”) concluded that there would be no Adverse Effects on Site Integrity on the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area, the Firth of Forth RAMSAR, and the Forth Islands Special Protection Area,

(c) the information set out in the Record of Determination dated 11 February 2025, available at https://www.transport.gov.scot/transport-network/roads/road-orders-and-records-of-determination/#63527, the project does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment.

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

(a) The Assessment under the 1994 Regulations concluded that there would be no Adverse Effects on Site Integrity on the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area, the Firth of Forth RAMSAR, and the Forth Islands Special Protection Area;

(b) There will be no impacts on the Category A Listed Structure, the Queensferry Conservation Area, the North Queensferry Conservation Area, and the Battle of Inverkeithing II Inventory Battlefield;

(c) There will be no impacts on the Long Craig Island Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Ferry Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Firth of Forth Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Hopetoun Road Local Nature Conservation Site, the North Queensferry Road Cuttings Geological Conservation Review Site, and the Dalmeny Local Geodiversity Site; and

(d) Any potential impacts of the works are expected to be temporary, short-term, non-significant, and limited to the construction phase.

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

(a) Mitigation measures and best practice will be implemented to ensure no short-term or long-term significant negative impacts on the environment;

(b) Containment measures of the working area will be in place to prevent debris or pollutants from entering the surrounding environment;

(c) Measures will be in place to ensure appropriate removal and disposal of waste; and

(d) All conditions of the Marine Licence (MS-00009380) will be adhered to.

S R Lees

Transport Scotland Roads George House 2nd Floor 36 North Hanover Street Glasgow G1 2AD