In relation to traffic and transport, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will consider the construction and operational phase of the Proposed Development and will assess the potential traffic-related environmental effects such as delays, impacts on pedestrian journeys and road safety.
The proposed route for abnormal load vehicles to site is shown on the figure above.
Assessments will be undertaken of the potential effects of the Proposed Development, with a focus on the construction phase, on the basis that this will have the greatest impact on the local transport network within the study area.
The study area for the traffic and transport assessments focuses on the routes used for access by construction vehicles and Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs) as shown on the above figure.
The assessments will also consider the potential for significant cumulative construction effects of projects that may potentially be under construction concurrently with the Proposed Development.
Temporary minor effects are expected along sections of the A828, A85 and Glen Lonan Road during the construction phase due to the increase in traffic flow.
To mitigate these potential temporary effects a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) would be in place during the construction phase, having been agreed with Argyll and Bute Council prior to construction works commencing. The CTMP outlines the methodology of safely and efficiently managing the flow of vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and other transport modes directly associated with the construction site as well as the regular road users that operate in the vicinity of the worksite.
Given the temporary nature of the construction programme and with the implementation of mitigation measures through the CTMP, potential effects expected during the construction phase of the Proposed Development would be effectively managed, and no residual effects are predicted after mitigation measures have been implemented.