Scoping process

Production of a Scoping Report

Transport Scotland require a Scoping Report to be prepared for an EIA project. It may be produced for a non-EIA project as it may be beneficial to the project. For non-EIA projects the advice of the relevant Environmental Advisor should be taken.

Scoping can be undertaken at a number of stages in the project development. Typically, these are at/near the start of:

Initial scheme identification
Option identification
Preliminary design of the preferred option.

Information to be included in a Scoping Report

Scoping shall:

Provide justification, supported by evidence, for scoping in/out environmental topics (or any elements) from further environmental assessment
Define what level of environmental assessment (DMRB ‘simple’ or ‘detailed’) shall be undertaken for those environmental topics (or any elements) scoped in
Specify the environmental assessment methodology and further data collection and survey requirements
Identify the study area for those environmental topics (or any elements) scoped in
Identify initial mitigation measures and environmental enhancements

Consultation with statutory consultation bodies, as defined in section 151(1) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 and set out in the consultation section, is required on the draft Scoping Report.

All Scoping Reports shall be submitted to Transport Scotland. The Scoping Report shall be signed off by the relevant Environmental Advisor, preferably prior to the EIA starting.

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